Community News
It’s a legendary Reggae family affair; another Jones and Jones Production
BY MICHAEL THOMAS
Jones and Jones Production is into its fifth year with a tribute to the legends of Reggae and they promise a Reggae experience to remember for the entire family.
It is all happening on Saturday, February 8th, 2020 at The Rose Theatre, Brampton, Ontario. The doors open at 7 pm, and the legendary show begins at 8 pm.
Reggae and Dancehall fans can anticipate a stunning headline performance from genre pioneer and icon Judy Mowatt who, in addition to being a critically acclaimed solo artist and the first female nominated for a Grammy award in the reggae category for 1985’s Working Wonders, was also a member of ‘I Three’, the backing vocalists for Bob Marley.
The event promises more international line-ups including two pioneers, credited as part of the Jamaican styles that influenced New York City’s DJ and rap/hip hop movements throughout the 70s and 80s.
Famous for combining comedy, social commentary, and music, Jamaican toaster Professor Nuts will also be on hand, as well as legendary ‘speed rapper’ General Trees, and five-piece reggae-dancehall masters, Warrior Love Band. Representing the home-front hat tip is five-time Juno Award winner Exco Levi & High Priest, and soulful, Reggae-Jazz fusionist Kaisha Lee will round out the sound.
Yours truly, the one and only Master T will be the host. It will also feature Toronto-area DJ Joshua Lucas who will be sure to have the crowd moving to his legendary vibes.
Canada’s largest Caribbean newspaper (Toronto Caribbean Newspaper) interviewed both the incomparable Reggae Legend Miss Judy Mowatt and Jesse Jones (Head of Brand Partnerships, Jones & Jones) as he talked about this legendary event.
Jones told Toronto Caribbean Newspaper, “Years ago we did a tribute to the legendary Bob Marley and this was an opportunity to tribute the great works of Bob during Black History Month. The artists all did their renditions of a Marley tune which went over really well and here we are now doing our fifth annual Legends of Reggae event. Even though technology has been of great help musically, with social media and all that, I think it has made us crave the real-life experiences more than ever. Because of that five years ago, we sat down as a family and thought to ourselves, how do we invigorate that experiences of nostalgia and yesteryear? How do we tribute those who are still with us who are legends in their own right and are here to receive the flowers, while still paying respects to those who have passed on in one event? That is how Tribute to the Legends really came about.”
When asked to describe what the audience should expect, Jones said to Toronto Caribbean Newspaper, “I think it’s a musical rockumentary, it’s really an opportunity for those who know music to reconnect with the things they know and love. If you are a Reggaeologist then this is the show for you. If you just love Reggae, in general, this is a learning experience and a show. There is something here for everyone, and there will be more future surprises on it’s way too.”
It is said that you cannot speak of Reggae legends without speaking of Judy Mowatt, and Toronto Caribbean Newspaper has the evidence. With well over five decades of music and hits under her belt from “Hush Baby Mother,” to “Black Woman,” Mowatt is indeed a force to reckon with, yet, she is exceptionally humble.
Mowatt was asked by Toronto Caribbean Newspaper, what makes you tick? To which she answered, “It is the most high that makes me tick It is his spirit that is within me. It is God that inspires all these songs. “In the 70s and 80s, I went through some painful situations that really challenged my life, and the most high made me put those situations into writing. I soon realized that this was not just exclusive to me, but to other women as well. When I write, I am writing not just for me, but am writing that it may uplift, bring solace, strength, and encouragement to other women.”
This musical Reggae icon has some concerns about the direction that some artists have taken their music. “Today,” she said, “You don’t know where the songs are going, and some of them are so derogatory. It is taking the minds of the people in the gutter, in a place where they can’t see any solution.”
Mowatt promises her audience a spirited performance with songs from yesteryear and songs from her gospel side as well. She wants the public to know that all are welcome.