Born in Montego Bay, Jamaica, Jay Douglas took the stage for the first time as a teenager and has since accumulated over 45 years of experience. His undeniable stage presence has made him a staple in the Canadian music scene. He moved to Toronto, Canada in 1964 as a teenager, following his mothers’ move ten years prior to work as a domestic worker. He then became the frontman for The Cougars, who performed reggae, rock-steady, and soul/funk. The group became immensely popular and circuited a variety of clubs across Toronto and Montreal in the 1960’s and 1970’s.

Since then, Douglas has made appearances at many festivals including Reggae fest, Taste of Lawrence, and the Four Seasons Reggae cruise in Atlanta, Georgia. While he has graced the stage across North America, he also has a wide international presence, performing from Hong Kong to Cuba. He has amassed many awards over his career including “Male Reggae Vocalist” in 2007 at the annual Canadian Reggae Awards, and given the Harry Jerome Award for Best Performer. Douglas is also a three-time Juno nominee, with his album Lovers Paradise winning Best Reggae Recording of the Year, and was the winner of NOW Magazine’s “Best R&B Act” in 2006. He continues to tour as Jay Douglas and The All-Star Band and has worked with many notable musicians including Leroy Sibbles, Ziggy Marley, and Nana Mclean.

Douglas has been described as a “treasure trove of Toronto-Jamaican musical history” and has contributed greatly to the development of its music scene. He worked closely with the city of Toronto to name Reggae Lane, as well as supported a Jamaica to Toronto compilation which documents the music recorded in the city between 1967-1974. The reggae pioneer has widened his range to include his first ever blues album, Confession, released in 2022. The album pays homage to Ray Charles and Rosco Gordon, to name a few. Douglas had worked with Gordon in the past, setting up his band and set-lineup for the Harbourfront Festival in Toronto. The album also features a song titled “I Love Toronto”; he notes in an interview with Tom Power on CBC that he’s always representing his city even while on tour. He hopes this album, along with all of his work, continue to educate the younger generations on the roots of the genres and their interconnectivity.

Awards

• Male Reggae Vocalist of the Year-Annual Toronto Reggae Awards
• NOW Magazine’s “”Best R&B Act””
• BBPA Harry Jerome Awards
• G98.7 Entertainment Award