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Jason Wilson Band launches new album at the Alton Mill

April 7, 2016   ·   0 Comments

The Alton Mill will host the very talented Jason Wilson Band at the official launch party for their new album, Perennials on Friday, April 15 at 7 p.m.

Jason Wilson’s music has been described as “reggae-impressionism, jazzy-reggae,” or even “post-reggae.” It is a sound where reggae is freely brushed — not strictly detailed — allowing space on the canvas for wildly divergent inspirations to peek through. Over the course of three decades, Wilson has developed an irresistible take on the Jamaican art form, which demonstrates both solemn reverence for its roots, and a re-imagining of its musical aesthetics.

Written in New York City over the course of 18 months, Perennials articulates this singular sound.

Thematically, the artist captures Gotham as if seen through F. Scott Fitzgerald’s critical lens: the city is that “once golden shimmering mirage.”

But the album is not a love letter. Rather, it is an expression of longing bucolic, “braes ablaze o’ green” Ontario where his beloved awaits.

Jason Wilson is a two-time Juno Award nominee and Canadian Reggae Music Award winner. He is the protégé of Studio One keyboardist Jackie Mittoo and has performed and recorded with UB40, Pee Wee Ellis, Alanis Morissette, Ernest Ranglin, Sly & Robbie, Dick Gaughan, Dave Swarbrick, Ron Sexsmith and Percy Sledge, among others. Besides vocals and piano, he plays the organ and accordion on this new album.

His band, The Perennials, includes Marcus Ali – saxophones/whistles/vocals, Patrice Barbanchon – trumpet/vocals, Perry Joseph – guitars/vocals, Andrew Stewart – bass, and Zaynab Wilson – cajon/percussion/vocals. Wilson is also an adjunct-professor of history at the University of Guelph and has five books to his name. He is currently co-authoring the official book celebrating the Toronto Maple Leafs centenary.

In addition to amazing music there will be delicious food offered by The Friendly Chef Adventures. Erin Ontario’s own Chef Pam Fanjoy brought home the top $10,000 prize winning the February 20 episode of Chopped Canada!

Online Early Bird tickets for this album release party are $25 via TicketScene.ca (Search: Alton Mill Arts) or in person at Aardvark Music & Culture 229 Broadway, Unit 11, Orangeville, ON. Tickets at the door: $30 HST included. Cash bar. Visit the Alton Mill website for more information, http://altonmill.ca .

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