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Bio

Messenjah is a progressive roots reggae band founded in Kitchener, Ontario in 1981 by Rupert “Ojiji” Harvey, Errol “Skippah” Blackwood, Eric “Baby Face” Walsh, and Ray “General” Ruddock, later joined by keyboardist Hal “Saint” Duggan. After independently recording their debut Rock You High in California, they became the first Canadian reggae band signed to a major label when Warner Music Canada picked up the album in 1983, helping bring reggae to mainstream Canadian radio. Their follow-up album Session (1984) produced the nationally recognized track “Jam Session” and the band gained further exposure with performances at Jamaica’s World Youth Festival and Reggae Sunsplash, personnel changes, heavy touring, and appearances in the Tom Cruise film Cocktail. Though Blackwood departed for a successful solo career, Messenjah continued under Harvey’s leadership, producing hits like “Cool Operator” and “Crazy” touring widely, and eventually winning a JUNO Award in 1998 for Catch De Vibe. After performing for Nelson Mandela at the SkyDome, the band members pursued separate paths but reunited for later lineups, with Warner Music re-releasing Session in 2013 and Rock You High in 2014 to coincide with a reunion tour.

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