"Play It Loud!" star Jay Douglas lights up the Old Mill, Friday

The electrifying Jay Douglas – subject of the Play It Loud! documentary – hits the Old Mill with his all star band on Friday at 8 pm.

Toronto, get ready for an unforgettable evening with Jay Douglas — three-time Juno nominee, legendary bandleader, producer, and one of Canada’s most beloved and charismatic Island soul ambassadors.

From Rastafest to the 4 Seasons Reggae Cruise, Jay has lit up stages around the world. He’s collaborated with icons like Beres Hammond, Freddie McGregor, Marcia Griffiths, Luciano, Ken Boothe, Ziggy Marley, and the legendary Ernest Ranglin. 

Beyond the music, Jay’s heart is in the community — including helping bring Reggae Lane to life in Toronto.

As can be seen in Graeme Mathieson's excellent documentary, Play It Loud! How Toronto Got Soul (check it out here here), Jay's music career in Toronto began as the frontman of The Cougars, who ruled the local Caribbean club scene in the 60s and showcased at Toronto's inaugural Caribana Festival in 1967. 

And now he’s bringing that timeless magic to The Old Mill (21 Old Mill Rd) this Friday (November 21) from 8 pm to 10 pm. Tickets are $30, available online at www.oldmilltoronto.com or call 416-207-2020 for reservations.  Don’t miss this night of soul, storytelling, and pure good vibes. 

Watch a CBC interview with Jay followed by a couple of recent performances below. 

Jay Douglas All Stars hit The Redwood Theatre, April 12

Don't miss Toronto's own Jay Douglas, star of the Play It Loud! documentary and the Jamaica To Toronto comp , tearing up The Redwood Theatre on April 12.  

Jay Douglas All Stars

The Redwood Theatre (1300 Gerrard St. East) 

Saturday, April 12

Doors 7pm | Show 8pm–11pm

Tickets: $40–$60 and selling fast!  

Grab yours now at https://www.theredwoodtheatre.com/

Catch Jay Douglas & The All Stars feat. drummer Everton "Pablo" Paul live at The Redwood Theatre on Saturday, April 12th, still buzzing off the acclaimed documentary "Play It Loud: How Toronto Got Soul" celebrating Jay’s iconic career and the rise of soulful Jamaican music in Canada. This is a show you won’t want to miss! Get tickets right here. Check the clips below. 

Play It Loud! How Toronto Got Soul premieres at Hot Docs Theatre Dec. 4th

Trailblazing Toronto soul great Jay Douglas tells his story in Play It Loud! screening at Hot Docs Theatre on December 4th & 7th.

Here's the scoop...

It’s official! PLAY IT LOUD! How Toronto Got Soul is having its WORLD PREMIERE at the Hot Docs Theatre, 506 Bloor St W., on December 4th at 6:30 p.m. (now sold out), with a second screening on December 7th at 8:00 p.m.

Tickets for the December 7th show are available right here: https://hotdocs.ca/whats-on/films/ds-play-it-loud

Play it Loud! – How Toronto Got Soul is a feature documentary that tells the little known story of how Jamaican music became a critical and unlikely part of Canadian culture. The film reveals a social and cultural migration that made Canada a mecca for Jamaican music, recognized around the world, but little heralded at home. We tell This story is told through the life, music, struggles and triumphs of beloved Jamaican Canadian singer Jay Douglas. Born as Clive Pinnock, in rural Jamaica to a single mother, Douglas began performing professionally at 17 and has never stopped. Today, nearly sixty 60 years later, he’s more popular than ever.

Douglas’ life mirrors the emergence of Jamaican popular music, both in its birthplace, and his adopted country. He’s a witness and participant to the birth of ska and reggae, the Jamaican diaspora in the UK and Canada, and the emergence of a uniquely Canadian Black music culture. Through Jay’s personal story, the film will tell an important and largely unknown tale of cultural transformation.

The Wednesday, December 4 screening will be followed by a Q&A with director Graeme Mathieson, musician Jay Douglas and producer Andrew Munger. The Saturday, December 7 screening will be followed by a Q&A with director Graeme Mathieson and Everton "Pablo" Paul, featured in the film. Both sessions will be moderated by Heather Haynes, Hot Docs' Director of Programming. Watch the trailer below. 

Find out more about the film and upcoming screenings at: https://www.playitlouddoc.com/

Toronto soul great Jay Douglas @ Old Mill Jazz Lounge, Friday

Jay Douglas – featured in the new Play It Loud! documentary – performs two sets at the Old Mill on Friday at 8 pm sharp. 

The new documentary Play It Loud! screens at the Hot Docs Cinema on Dec 4th and 7th. Get tickets here.

Jay Douglas featured in Play It Loud! doc on Toronto's Jamaican connection

Jamaican-born, Toronto-based soul great Jay Douglas stars in Graeme Mathieson's forthcoming film Play It Loud! Check the trailer.

Here's the scoop...

Early 1960’s Toronto was a mostly white, Anglo-centric city. Beneath this veneer of Conservative respectability, an exciting underground music scene emerged, created by a Jamaican diaspora including newcomers like Jackie Mittoo, Wayne McGhie and a teenageJay Douglas. Battling racism and indifference, they made an indelible, but little appreciated mark on Canadian music and culture. Six decades later, Jay Douglas is still carrying the torch for Jamaican music, and enjoying the recognition and respect he has long craved.

Play it Loud! (set for release via TVO Docs in February, 2025) is a feature documentary that tells the little known story of how Jamaican music became a critical and unlikely part of Canadian culture. The film reveals a social and cultural migration that made Canada a  mecca for Jamaican music, recognized around the world, but little heralded at home. This story is told through the life, music, struggles and triumphs of beloved Jamaican Canadian singer Jay Douglas. Born as Clive Pinnock, in rural Jamaica to a single mother, Douglas began performing professionally at 17 and has never stopped. Today, nearly 60 years later, he’s more popular than ever. 

For more info, clips and theatre screening dates, check the site: https://www.playitlouddoc.com/ 

Watch the Play It Loud! trailer below.