Ernest Ranglin heats up Jay Day in May

A dazzlingly charismatic performer with deep roots in the Toronto scene, Jay Douglas – who fronted The Cougars in the inaugural Caribana parade of 1967 and played a key role in bringing the critically acclaimed Jamaica To Toronto reissue project to life – is being feted in fine style at the Royal Theatre (608 College West) on Sunday (May 15). It's shaping up to be a major community event.

Topping the list of esteemed performers toasting Douglas at the Celebrating Jay concert is legendary Jamaican guitarist Ernest Ranglin (a foundational figure in the development of ska, rock steady and reggae) along with Joe Sealy, Bob & Wisdom, Archie Alleyne, George Oliver, Shawn Jackson, Grant Smith, Robbie Lane, Jackie Richardson, Eddie Bullen, Taborah Johnson among many others.

Advance tickets for this monumental Jay Douglas celebration  are $45 and $90 (for VIP reception with the artists) and on sale at A Different Booklist (746 Bathurst), Wire's Variety (753 Dovercourt), The Jamaican National Money Transfer Office (1672 Eglinton West) and the Royal Theatre box office on Sunday after 1 pm.