Messenjah was a Canadian-based reggae group that flourished to become one of the most successful and popular reggae groups in the history of Canadian music.
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Messenjah began their climb to fame in 1980 in Kitchener, Ontario and released their first album Rock You High independently in 1982. They were the first Canadian reggae band to be picked up by a major label; Warner Music Canada (also known as WEA). After 1985 the band began working out of Toronto, the second largest center of reggae in Canada after Vancouver. In 1988 the band was featured in the U.S. feature film Cocktail as well as on the film’s soundtrack. They were also featured on the soundtrack of the Canadian produced movie Milk and Honey (1989). Messenjah has toured all over North America as well as in Jamaica for over sixteen years and in 1989 won the Juno Award for Best Reggae Recording.
Messenjah has not released an album since the late 1990s, and it is assumed the group disbanded around that time.
The band was originally started by Errol Blackwood (vocals, bass guitar), who left after 1984 to start a solo career, and Rupert "Ojiji" Harvey (vocals, guitar, saxophone). After Errol Blackwood’s departure Harvey became the head of the group. Other original band members include Eric Walsh (guitar), Raymond Ruddock (drums), Hal Duggan (keyboard) and Tony King (percussion). Four new members joined in 1987; Roy Garrick (drums), Crash Morgan (drums), Charles Sinclair (bass guitar) and Haile Yeates (percussion). Finally, in 1990 Donovan Black (drums) replaced drummer Crash Morgan.
Notable appearances and performances of Messenjah include the Reggae Sun Splash (Montego Bay, Jamaica), World Youth festival (Kingston, Jamaica), World Music Gallery Tour, The Bob Marley Memorial (Long Beach, Ca), Lahaina Civic (Maui, Hawaii), Vermont Reggae Music Festival, The Canadian National Exhibition, Ontario Place Forum, Maple Leaf Gardens, The Omni Theatre (Oakland Ca), Havana Cuba, The Starlight Bowl Amphitheatre. Messenjah also appeared on stage with Nelson Mandela at the Toronto SkyDome in 1998.
Messenjah's song, "Jam Session" was used for many years as the intro for KCMU's long running reggae show Positive Vibrations.
Albums
Popular singles
Soundtrack appearances