The Ishan People Band was one of the first Jamaican-Canadian reggae bands and helped create a thriving reggae scene in Toronto in the 1970s. The band was formed by lead singer Johnny Osbourne, Larry Silvera on bass, Karl Parris Jr. on the drums, Michael Murray on lead guitar and vocals, and Glen Daley on percussion and vocals. Prior to forming the group, members Johnny Osbourne, Larry Silvera, and Michael Murray, all had experience in the industry back in Jamaica. Osbourne in particular had notable success and recorded with legendary Studio One before joining Ishan People.

The group recorded debut album Roots in 1976, which included track “Your Money or Your Life”. The album was produced by influential Canadian musician David Clayton-Thomas of ‘Blood, Sweat and Tears’, and was released under GRT Records– a Canadian and U.S. label. Their second self-titled album was released in 1977 under the same label and was also produced by Clayton-Thomas. The band played at local clubs including the Horseshoe Tavern when the area was still primarily a punk scene. This homegrown band was renowned for having a distinctly ‘Canadian reggae sound’. The band was also involved with another major Canadian musician Bruce Cockburn, backing his hit “Wondering Where the Lions Are”.

The band would unfortunately split up shortly after their second album, following Johnny Osbournes’ return to Jamaica. Ishan People represented the initial promise of reggae in Canada and the union of Jamaican and Canadian sounds. They were inspired by international reggae musicians such as Bob Marley and Third World.

The group leaves a lasting impression on the city of what the union of the Caribbean-Canadian experience can create.