CANADIAN REGGAE WORLD’S TRIBUTE TO RAFFA DEAN at the Cage 292 (292 College), Monday (June 16).
By Jay Cleary
Like so many artists, the true measure of Raffa Dean’s contributions to music will not be appreciated until after his death.
Best known as the drummer for legendary Canadian reggae-rockers Big Sugar during their mid-90s heyday, Tony “Raffa Dean” White passed away June 9th from stomach cancer in the comfort of his own home, surrounded by his loved ones. He kept his illness a secret from friends and much of his family until the end.
Born just outside of Kingston, Jamaica, Raffa was encouraged to become a drummer by the godfather of reggae himself. On his way to deliver recordings to Lee Scratch Perry during a hurricane, Bob Marley stopped and picked up Raffa, who was hitchhiking. (Years later, Raffa and Marley reunited for concerts at Maple Leaf Gardens.)
Concerned with the drugs and violence in Jamaica, the White family moved to Canada in 1975, and Raffa quickly became a fixture in the Toronto and Canadian music scenes. And not only within the burgeoning reggae community – in which he was unquestionably one of the top drummers – but in country, rock and heavy metal bands, too. Raffa could instantly master any style of music, and inspired the artists around him to play their best.
One of his early bands opened for Peter Tosh on the great guitarist’s Canadian tour Raffa witnessed the Berlin Wall come down before playing a packed stadium with The Itals and One Love Band and with Big Sugar, he was the first drummer ever to play the Air Canada Centre, opening for the Rolling Stones. If a reggae or dancehall legend played in Canada, Raffa Dean was likely onstage, playing over the years with Ziggy and Damian Marley, Barrington Levy, Jackie Mittoo, Dennis Brown, Sugar Minott, Gregory Isaacs, Freddie McGregor, John Holt, Leroy Sibbles, Burning Spear, Frankie Paul and Half Pint among others. Many artists simply wouldn’t tour in Canada without him.
After leaving Big Sugar, Raffa started his own dub/reggae group, The Resinators, who established a cult following on the Toronto and southern Ontario circuits. As either a core member or a sideman, Raffa’s musical genius has touched almost every contemporary Toronto reggae band, including Culture Shock, 20th Century Rebels, Live Stock, Hit Squad, the Dream Band, Progress & The Rebel Alliance, Chester Miller and House of David Gang.
His last project as a bandleader was the acclaimed psychedelic/reggae outfit, Freedubstar, with guitarist Michael Cooke, which often featured his longtime friends Garry Lowe (Big Sugar) on bass and keyboard legend Bernie Pitters.
Raffa’s last few years were darkened by pain and tragedy. He lost his son, Sealand, to a Regent Park shooting in 2010, and in 2012 he suffered a badly broken leg when he was hit by a car at College and University streets. Unable to play drums, he lost much of his fire, and struggled financially to take care of himself and his family.
Raffa was an incredible storyteller, encouraging music teacher and musical elder. His depth of music knowledge was an inspiration for many young players. His legacy will live on through so many artists he touched over the years, including his younger brother Andrew White (aka Akoustix) who was a 2013 Juno Award nominee.
He is survived by his partner, Karen, and two daughters, Jacquiline and Tihanni.
On Sunday (June 15) a memorial celebration with live music will take place at Daniels Spectrum (the new Regent Park community centre) at 585 Dundas Street East, from 3 pm to 9 pm.
