JASON WILSON HAS RECORDED & PERFORMED WITH THE FOLLOWING ARTISTS:

 

 

 

JAY DOUGLAS

Jay Douglas' musical career began as a member of his church choir during his youth in Jamaica. His future as a singer was sealed when he captured first prize in an amateur talent contest when he was fifteen years old. Since coming to Canada, Jay as opened for many major American R&B acts including Fats Domino, Cissy Houston and Sweet Inspiration. He has performed on every continent expect Australia. His talents extend beyond music into theatre and he was an original cast member of Black Theatre Canada's production "One More Stop on the Freedom Train". Douglas has been a mentor to Jason Wilson.

 

BRINSLEY FORDE

Brinsley Forde has been at the centre of the international reggae scene for more than 30 years as the former front‑man and founder of British reggae band Aswad. Formed in West‑London in 1975, Aswad were able to successfully appropriate Jamaican music with social issues more pertinent to their London climate. The album Distant Thunder gave Aswad a UK Number 1 Hit with ADon't Turn Around@ in 1988. AShine@ climbed to UK number 5 in 1994, while the attendant Rise And Shine reached the Billboard Reggae Top 10. A two-time Grammy‑nominated act, Aswad remain one of the most successful reggae groups ever to come out of Europe. Brinsley Forde, also star of the British film Babylon, left Aswad in the late 90s and currently hosts Lively Up Yourself, a BBC radio show featuring the world=s best reggae music. Forde joined Jason Wilson for twenty eight shows in 2005 and is going to be on the next release.

 

KEN LAZARUS

Ken Lazarus is probably best known for his work as a lead singer in Byron Lee's Dragonaires band. In the early 60s the band toured extensively in the Caribbean which made Ken Lazarus a popular singer on the island. He also became famous as a highly commercial cover artist. Later on he changed his style, recording some fine roots and culture sides.

 

MESSENJAH

Messenjah is arguably Canada=s most popular reggae group. Messenjah released its first album, Rock You High, independently in 1982; it was re‑issued by WEA in 1983. The critically acclaimed Jam Session followed in 1984. Messenjah=s third album Cool Operator gave the band several radio friendly hits. Messenjah toured extensively in Canada and the USA, and appeared in Jamaica (Reggae Sunsplash, 1985), developing an international reputation as one of the leading non‑Jamaican‑based groups in reggae. The band was seen in the US feature film Cocktail (1988) and contributed to its soundtrack. Messenjah's best‑known songs include AJam Session@, ACool Operator@, ACrazy@ and ACould It Be I'm Falling in Love?@ Jason Wilson played his first night-club with Messenjah at the age of fourteen and has had a deep association with the band ever since.

 

JACKIE MITTOO

One of the original members of the Skatalittes, Mittoo settled in Canada before his death in December 1990. Mittoo's famous rhythm tracks, including 'Ram Jam', have survived as some the most used backing tracks for numerous reggae artists over the years. Mittoo also recorded and performed with UB40, The Toronto Symphony and was largely responsible for the success of Britain's 'Musical Youth' in the 1980s. Mittoo helped Wilson to record the original Tabarruk 4‑song demo and actually performed on one track 'Angel'. Jason Wilson and Tabarruk took part in two memorials in honour of the AGrandfather of Modern Reggae@. Mittoo=s mark on reggae is arguably second to none.

 

ALANIS MORISSETTE

One of the world=s biggest stars - ALANIS MORISSETTE has become one of the premiere singer/songwriters in contemporary music since her arrival on the scene in 1995. Her deeply expressive music and performances have earned the seven‑time Grammy Award winner vast critical praise and a dedicated fan base that extends throughout the world. Her Jagged Little Pill album was the biggest selling album in the 1990s - over thirty-million copies. Alanis appears on Jason=s debut album.

 

ERNEST RANGLIN

Perhaps one of the most important Jamaican musicians of all time - Ernest Ranglin was born in Manchester, Jamaica in 1932. He was still a boy when his music peers realised that he had that "something special". In 1964 Ernest went to Ronnie Scott's jazz club in London and so impressed the owner that he became resident jazz guitarist for some 9 months. There he made "Wranglin" for Island Records after his first "Guitar in Ernest" and then "Reflections". Ernest was also a primary creator of ska music (and Reggae). In England in 1964, Ranglin  launched the hit song "My boy lollipop" with Jamaican singer Millie Small. In 1973 Ernest was awarded the Order of Distinction from the Jamaican Government for his contributions to music in Jamaica. Ranglin has recently recorded with Jason Wilson.

 

UB40

Twenty‑five years after their formation on the dole queue, UB40 are the biggest reggae band in the world. The band is second only to the Beatles in terms of charted singles in the UK and have sold over fifty million albums. The band have experienced several international number one singles including "Red Red Wine" and "Can't Help Falling in Love". Their Labour of Love series (three in number) provided the non‑reggae world with a thick tome of artfully crafted versions of Jamaican music. Jason Wilson=s cousin Michael Virtue is UB40's keyboardist and the band have supported Jason=s own musical career several times. Tabarruk have opened for UB40 four times both in Canada and the United Kingdom. Michael Virtue appears on Tabarruk's Juno-Nominated Jonah.

 

WILLIE WILLIAMS

Willie Williams is a known entity in Jamaican music, "Armageddon Time" has been a touchstone. The track is a quintessential reggae anthem, one that represents the genre in its most spiritually and politically potent form n rhythms of urgency with verses of prophesy. The lyrics of "Armageddon Time" resonated with punk rock ideology of late 70s England such that The Clash adopted it as a mainstay in its reggae arsenal. As such, the recording was ensured a minor pop culture legacy. Regardless of the impact, significance, or staying power of the song, Williams has contributed a steady and valuable output of reggae music over the last thirty five years.

 

PERCY SLEDGE

Percy Sledge is a US‑American R&B and soul performer. Sledge's smooth voice was perfect for the series of soul ballads produced by Ivy and Marlin Greene, which rock critic Dave Marsh called "emotional classics for romantics of all ages". "When A Man Loves A Woman" was the first song recorded, and it became not only an international hit, but was also the first gold record released by Atlantic Records. The magnificent soul anthem became the cornerstone of Sledge's career and was followed by "Warm And Tender Love", "Take Time To Know Her", and "Cover Me." Sledge charted with "I'll Be Your Everything" and "Sunshine" during the 70s, and has become an international concert favorite throughout the world, especially in the Netherlands, Germany and on the African continent. In 2005, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

 

ERNIE SMITH

Glenroy Anthony Smith is known around the world as a true pioneer of Reggae Music. His professional musical career began in 1965, when he formed his first band,the Vandals, from among his brothers, sisters and friends. His first recording in1967 was an original composition, AI Can't Take It@ - later recorded by Johnny Nash as ATears On My Pillow@. Four fantastic hits followed, ABend Down@, ARide On Sammy@, AOne Dream@, and APitta Patta@. Smith became the first Jamaican musician in the field of popular music to receive a national honour from his Government. The award of the Badge of Honour for Meritorious Service, together with his creativity, music and energy boosted his popularity and fame both at home and abroad.

 

TAJ MAHAL

New Yorker singer/composer/guitarist/pianist/historian Henry St. Clair Fredericks (Taj Mahal) has been on dedicated mission to preserve American roots music for over 40 years. His interpretations of roots classics and his originals have won critical and popular acclaim. Starting out in the New York Folk/Blues scene of the 1960's, Fredericks has gone on to create a genre‑bending career that never forgot the Blues. Mahal is a Grammy Award Winner.

 

LYNN TAITT

Reggae guitar‑great LYNN TAITT was one of the key architects of Jamaica=s rocksteady music. After working with Jamaican superstars like The Skatalites, Jackie Mittoo and Tommy McCook & The Supersonics, the Trinidadian born guitar virtuoso formed his own band. By 1966, Lynn Taitt & the Jets became the premier studio band for the rocksteady era led by Taitt's unique and easily identifiable guitar style which stands today as the genre=s trademark. Lynn Taitt & the Jets made literally hundreds of records for Jamaican producers like Duke Reid and Coxsone Dodd B often in support of Jamaica=s biggest artists of the time including; Bob Marley, Desmond Dekker, Lee Perry and Ken Boothe - not to mention Taitt=s memorable performance on Johnny Nash=s international smash‑hit AHold Me Tight@.

 

DAVE WAKELING

One of the earliest and most important ska revivalist groups, Birmingham's The Beat formed in 1978. The multiracial band carved a distinct sound through the use of alternating lead vocals by guitarist Dave Wakeling and  punk‑toaster/Jamaican-rapper Ranking Roger. Following a string of hits, including "Mirror in the Bathroom", Wakeling and Roger went on to form General Public - a band that also enjoyed chart success with ATenderness@. Jason Wilson joined Wakeling on stage during one of his recent visits to Toronto.

 

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