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 Hal “Saint” Duggan on keyboards. After building a strong following on the Canadian university circuit, they recorded their independent debut Rock You High in California. The album’s success drew the attention of Warner Music Canada, making Messenjah the first Canadian reggae band signed to a major label. With Warner’s support, Rock You High was re-released in 1983, bringing reggae to mainstream Canadian radio for the first time, followed by the 1984 album Session, whose title track “Jam Session” gained national TV exposure. The band toured internationally, performed at major events in Jamaica including Reggae Sunsplash, and saw several lineup changes as members pursued solo careers and new musicians stepped in.

Through the late 1980s and 1990s, Messenjah continued to evolve under Harvey’s leadership, producing hits like “Cool Operator” and “Crazy,” appearing in the Tom Cruise film Cocktail, and performing at major venues across North America. After playing the SkyDome for Nelson Mandela in 1998, members amicably went their separate ways while still collaborating onstage, and that same year the band earned a JUNO Award for Catch De Vibe. With various lineup changes over the years, Messenjah remained active, and in 2013–2014 Warner Music Canada digitally re-released Session and Rock You High to coincide with a reunion tour, marking a new chapter for one of Canada’s most influential reggae bands.