Community News
Reggae Roots and the Toronto Symphony Orchestra? Yes, they are bringing the richness of Reggae to the Rose Brampton
BY PAUL JUNOR
It will be a great evening at The Rose Brampton on Saturday, April 15th, 2023, when Performing Arts Brampton and Toronto Symphony Orchestra (TSO) present Reggae Roots. This will undoubtedly be an empowering and entertaining day as it will feature the Jamaican-born, Canadian reggae singer and songwriter Jah’Mila who has been making a wave on the Atlantic Coast for many years and is new to many in Ontario.
This all-ages concert is geared to a diverse audience. This concert is a reflection of the TSO’s commitment to engage meaningfully with communities in the Greater Toronto Area, and TSO musicians will also engage with members of the Rose’s youth orchestra the Rosebuds in music education and talent-development activities.
Reggae Roots is the brainchild of Daniel Bartholomew-Poyer, Principal Education Conductor & Community Ambassador. It was conceptualized to honour his Jamaican and Trinidadian connections and is intended to reach a wider audience.
I interviewed Bartholomew on Tuesday, April 4th., 2023, and he shared his musical journey from: Calgary, to Thunder Bay, to Waterloo to Halifax. He is currently involved with four different orchestras. He has deep sentimental roots to Brampton as it is instrumental in his musical selection, He notes, “Ever since moving to Ontario from Alberta, I have had increasingly strong ties to Brampton through my family who have lived there for many years. As a result, I am proud to connect my work at the Toronto Symphony Orchestra with the many different communities that form the vibrant city that is Brampton.”
Jah’Mila was born Jhamiela Smith Dunn in Kingston, Jamaica. She is known by her stage names: Jah’ Mila or Jah’ Mela. She traced her reggae roots to the legendary reggae guitarist “Earl Chinna Smith.” As a member of reggae royalty, she has become well-known in Canada, Jamaica and all over the world. She has been able to showcase the power, richness and beauty of reggae,
I interviewed Jah’ Mila on Wednesday, April 5th, 2023, and she shared with me her interesting musical journey. She told me that her source of inspiration comes from many of the veteran reggae artists that she has collaborated and toured with. She mentioned that at age 21, she worked with Aston Family Man Wailer who was like a mentor. She shared that the apostrophe in her stage name is meant to draw attention to Africa, which represents the heart and identity of what she does.
The historic city of Halifax in Nova Scotia holds a special place for her. This is where her family resides and she calls home. Her husband, mother and other family members are a source of support and strength.
As a multi-talented singer/songwriter whose powerful and moving performance of pure reggae music is interspersed with: soul, jazz and R&B. She embodies the best of musical genres in her performances. She reflects on the social, cultural and spiritual importance of reggae, which undoubtedly is Jamaica’s gift to the world.
For her, art is a tool for empowerment and upliftment of all people. She is looking forward to her second album, which will be launched in February, 2024. She believes this album will communicate more effectively the power of her message. Her first album, “Roots Girls” was released in November 2022.
She is excited about her performance in Toronto at the Roy Thomson Hall on Sunday, April 16th, between 1:30 pm- 2:30 pm and 4:00 pm-5:00 pm. It is her first time there and there are few tickets left.
Anyone interested in Jah’Mila can check her website: www.jahmilamusic.com. Tickets for Reggae Roots occurring at The Rose Brampton can be purchased at www.therosebrampton.ca