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A Walk Through Little Jamaica: Preserving Musical Heritage
In recent weeks, Phil Vassell has dedicated his time to conducting walking tours that explore the musical legacy of Toronto’s Little Jamaica neighborhood.
On a sweltering afternoon, Global News accompanied Vassell, the executive director of the Canadian Black Music Archives, on a comprehensive walking tour along Eglinton West, nestled in the heart of this vibrant community.
“Our first stop is Wisdom’s Barbershop,” Vassell indicated, highlighting the establishment once owned by the late Jimmy Wisdom, who played a significant role in the community for over four decades.
“Wisdom was part of a musical duo named Bob and Wisdom,” Vassell elaborated. “He arrived in Canada from Montego Bay, and music became a backup pursuit for him, with his shop featuring a rehearsal space in the basement.”
During the 1960s through the 1980s, coinciding with a significant influx of Jamaican immigrants, Vassell noted that icons of reggae music—such as Jackie Mittoo, Leroy Sibbles, and even Bob Marley—were often spotted in Little Jamaica, rehearsing and recording in the basements of local shops.
“Much of this history resides in oral narratives, with insufficient documentation,” Vassell remarked. “Our aim is to research, document, and conserve this cultural heritage for future generations.”
Vassell emphasized the urgent need for preservation, pointing out that ongoing construction projects for light rail transit and various forms of gentrification threaten to erase the community’s historical significance.
Jay Douglas, a prominent figure in the local music scene who experienced the heyday of Little Jamaica, reflected on the community’s rich past. In the 1960s, he led The Cougars, a popular band that captivated audiences in Caribbean nightclubs across Toronto and Montreal with a fusion of ska, reggae, blues, and funk.
The contributions of Douglas are immortalized in a remarkable mural that spans Reggae Lane in Little Jamaica, depicting his likeness and celebrating the area’s musical heritage.
“This neighborhood was the center of activity during my youth,” Douglas recounted, standing before the colorful mural. “We not only shopped here but also rehearsed and gathered with friends.”
“It’s essential for us to educate the younger generation about our culture so that they can carry it forward,” he added.
Fergus Hambleton, a singer-songwriter associated with the Juno Award-winning reggae band The Sattalites, also attributes the band’s origins to Little Jamaica. “In the mid-1970s, I began frequenting this area,” Hambleton shared, as he stood near Spence’s Bakery, a cherished community landmark.
“Jo Jo (Bennett) and I started a small music school not far from here,” he continued, gesturing toward a nearby building currently housing Carib Jewellery. “The community was immensely supportive, making it a fantastic musical hub.”
Continuing the tour, Vassell brought Global News to one of the area’s most pivotal establishments, highlighting its historical significance. “Monica’s was one of the earliest Black-owned businesses in this region,” he noted, pointing to the store fronted by the iconic red, white, and yellow sign of ‘Monica’s Cosmetic Supplies Ltd.’
“According to Monica’s son, they established the shop in the late 1960s and even had a basement studio that produced the first rap record recorded in Canada, titled Ladies Delight, by a gentleman known as Mr. Q,” Vassell explained.
For attendees of the public tour that evening, a common sentiment emerged: a deeper appreciation for the rich narrative intertwined with Little Jamaica’s legacy.
Source
globalnews.ca