By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Today in CanadaToday in CanadaToday in Canada
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
  • Home
  • News
  • Lifestyle
  • Things To Do
  • Entertainment
  • Health
  • Tech
  • Travel
  • Press Release
  • Spotlight
Reading: New documentary highlights impact of Jamaican artists on Canadian music
Share
Today in CanadaToday in Canada
Font ResizerAa
  • News
  • Things To Do
  • Lifestyle
  • Entertainment
  • Health
  • Travel
Search
  • Home
  • News
  • Lifestyle
  • Things To Do
  • Entertainment
  • Health
  • Tech
  • Travel
  • Press Release
  • Spotlight
Have an existing account? Sign In
Follow US
Today in Canada > News > New documentary highlights impact of Jamaican artists on Canadian music
News

New documentary highlights impact of Jamaican artists on Canadian music

Press Room
Last updated: 2025/02/23 at 10:29 AM
Press Room Published February 23, 2025
Share
SHARE

A new documentary is highlighting how Jamaican music became a pivotal and unexpected part of Canadian culture.

Play It Loud! How Toronto Got Soul documents the tremendous impact immigrants from Jamaica had on the Canadian music scene in the ’60s and ’70s, and the barriers many of the musicians faced.

The documentary follows the story of Jamaican Canadian singer Jay Douglas — who has been performing for six decades. Douglas is now recognized globally despite initially going largely unnoticed in the Toronto music scene.

The film exposes some of those struggles, but Douglas is most excited about sharing the history with young people.

“Thank God we’re starting to document in Canada and Toronto, because in the early years we didn’t do enough,” Douglas told CBC Toronto.

“Working together, we’re sharing all the great artists that came from Jamaica and helped Toronto get soul and I’m so grateful for this.”

Everton “Pablo” Paul worked alongside Douglas as a drummer and founded the band The Cougars.

He says many of the artists who came to Toronto from Jamaica in the ’60s and ’70s paved the way for today’s Black Canadian music stars. 

“The history of Jamaican artists in Toronto wasn’t appreciated. Let’s put it that way,” he said.

“We had a hard time getting recording deals, but we persevered.”

Play It Loud! How Toronto Got Soul is now streaming on TVO and is also playing March 1 at Hot Docs Cinema.


For more stories about the experiences of Black Canadians — from anti-Black racism to success stories within the Black community — check out Being Black in Canada, a CBC project Black Canadians can be proud of. You can read more stories here.

Quick Link

  • Stars
  • Screen
  • Culture
  • Media
  • Videos
Share This Article
Facebook Twitter Email Print
What do you think?
Love0
Sad0
Happy0
Sleepy0
Angry0
Dead0
Wink0
Leave a comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

You Might Also Like

News

After nearly 2 weeks, results of Terra Nova-The Peninsulas recount expected Friday

May 23, 2025
News

Health P.E.I. spending thousands of dollars a month on private employment agencies, contracts reveal

May 23, 2025
News

Denmark eliminates Canadian men in quarterfinal shocker at world hockey championship

May 23, 2025
News

‘I curse u for all eternity’: What the jury never heard at Alain Bellefeuille’s trial

May 23, 2025
© 2023 Today in Canada. All Rights Reserved.
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of use
  • Advertise
  • Contact
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Lost your password?