There’s a free Little Jamaica tour in Toronto that’s enlightening visitors about the neighbourhood’s musical history, culture, cuisine and vibrant art scene.
Organized by the Canada Black Music Archives, the Little Jamaica Music History Walking Tour is an interactive and educational tour about one of the city’s most iconic neighbourhoods.
The nearly two-hour tour of Eglinton Ave. W. is between Dufferin St. and Marlee Ave. and includes historic landmarks such as the Wisdoms Barbershop, Likkle Jamaica Mural and The British Methodist Episcopal Church.
Little Jamaica is home to a huge population of Caribbean immigrants who arrived in Canada from the 1960’s to 80’s. Since then, the neighbourhood has become a powerhouse for reggae music. In addition to music, the local guide will inform visitors on historical milestones, shops, restaurants, and artwork.
“The intention of the tour is to bring to light all these amazing musicians who have made a contribution, a significant music, cultural, societal contribution to not just their immediate neighbourhood, but really to all of Canada, and making Canada, a model of diversity in many ways,” Executive Director of the Canada Black Music Archives Phil Vassell said in an interview with Now Toronto on Tuesday.
“We have a number of musicians that we’ve researched, documented and will keep in our digital archives, for the benefit of current and future generations. And thus far, we’re seeing schools also expressing an interest. We’re seeing libraries expressing interest. We see universities as well expressing an interest in the work that we do,” he continued.
Vassell says most people will be surprised to learn about the richness and depth of Little Jamaica’s music history along the tour.
“What makes this one special is that there are components like music that are part of the tour, and there are components like photographs of buildings and individuals that are crucial to telling the story…” he said.
“In many ways, it’s an interactive tour. In many ways, it’s an experiential tour to give people a deeper sense, a better sense of what’s here with us, not really recognizing it, because nobody’s ever dug that information and put it out there,” he added.
Vassell also touched upon some of the stops and notable figures people can expect to hear on the tour.
“It wasn’t just about the musicians, it was also the adjacent businesses that flow from the musicians. There were record stores, there were studios, there was even a reggae music school that was put together by one of the founders of the (Canadian reggae band) Sattalites,” he explained.
“His name is Jo Jo Bennett and it is said that JoJo Bennett and Joe Isaacs, a famous reggae drummer from Studio One in Jamaica, they were the force behind making the school happen. And the Sattalites band is a great example of what came out of this experience,” he continued.
The executive director goes on to name other prominent artists such as Leroy Sibbles, Nana McLean, Johnny Osborne, Stranger Cole, and Jay Douglas as trailblazers in Caribbean music.
“These are just some of the names of artists that have emerged out of this community, and have gone on to get their music played around the world. So, the impact has been great and what we would love to see is that this area become designated as a cultural district because of all the amazing things that have come out of here,” Vassell said.
So far, he says the response to the tour has been amazing and supportive from the community.
“Most of the people that have come out are not new to going on tours and what they tell us is that this is the best walking tour that they’ve been on. We’ve heard that time and time again, and it’s very motivating, because this was our first time producing a walking tour,” Vassell shared.
The next scheduled tours are on Aug. 1 from 5 to 7 p.m, Aug. 2 from 1p.m. to 3 p.m., Aug. 11 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m, and Sept. 8 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m and it’s free to attend.
To sign up for the next tour and for more information, click here.
