Jason Wilson is a two-time Juno-Awards nominee, Canadian Reggae Music Award winner, history professor and bestselling author. Born of Scottish immigrants, Jason grew up in Downsview, Ontario, with many West Indian friends. These influences show up in his music, which is a unique bland of reggae and celtic roots with jazz and classical thrown into the mix.

 

Jason is the protégé of Studio One keyboardist Jackie Mittoo and has performed, toured and recorded with - among others - UB40, Alanis Morissette, Sly & Robbie, Dick Gaughan, Martin Carthy, Brinsley Forde (Aswad), The Mighty Sparrow, Ernest Ranglin, Pee Wee Ellis, and Dave Swarbrick. An Adjunct-Professor of history, Dr. Wilson has six books to his name, including the recently published King Alpha's Song in a Strange Land: The Roots and Routes of Canadian Reggae (UBC Press, 2020).

 

Wilson’s music has been described as, among other things, “Jazz-Reggae”, “Folk-Reggae”, Global-Roots, and Post-Reggae”. While none of these quite cover it, Wilson's art is, nevertheless, truly unique: it is a sound where the reggae portion is freely brushed – not strictly detailed – allowing space on the canvass for wildly divergent inspirations such as Bach, Scottish Pibroch, folk-rock and bebop to peek through. In essence, Wilson combines reggae with the improvisational sensibility of jazz and then layers it with the storytelling quality of the folk tradition.

Wilson's blend of reggae is, as The Beat’s Ted Boothroyd confessed, “deeply satisfying reggae for aware, intelligent grown-ups.” Likewise, No Depression’s Douglas Heselgrave believed that “the more I listen to Jason Wilson…the more I am convinced that he's onto something that may just help broaden the spectrum of how people consider reggae music.”

 

The performance will be held outdoors in the Annex Courtyard, where seating can be well-spaced to meet COVID-19 safety requirements. Seats will be set up in pairs, six feet from the next pair. If you're there solo, or with more people from your social "pod" the seating can be adjusted accordingly. Tickets are limited, available online at Eventbrite.

 

THE PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCMENT ON SEPT 17TH MODIFIED COVID RULES FOR PRIVATE EVENTS, BUT THE CHANGES DO NOT AFFECT THIS EVENT. SO WE ARE HAPPY TO CONFIRM THAT THE SHOW IS STILL A GO! Some main points for those of you coming or thinking about coming (still a few, not many, tickets left):

- the event is outdoors (and it's going to be sunny!)
- seating will be in your own social bubble only – bubble size can be from 2 to up to 6
- each bubble will be spaced 2 metres apart
- when you leave your bubble space, masks must be worn
- please physically distance when you arrive at the front gate, using washrooms, food and beverage line

Please sign in with your name and contact info for contact tracing purposes