One Love, Three Hearts

Very few musical artists have had the global impact of Bob Marley. Defying typical definitions of genre, nationality, geography, and era, Marley’s music continues to be embraced by music lovers around the world, over 40 years after his passing. His work has introduced listeners all over the world to reggae music and created instant fans with its messages of peace, love, and resistance. Sounds like perfect material for an orchestra with a mission to draw people from all walks of life into its audience.

That’s what Calgary Phil President and CEO Marc Stevens thought when he approached Jesse Jones backstage at the 2021 Juno Awards. Jones had just got offstage after accepting the Walt Grealis Special Achievement Award. The honour was bestowed upon his late mother Denise Jones, who, along with her husband Allan, dedicated her life and career to connecting Canadians with Afro-Caribbean music and entertainment, creating the popular JAMBANA One World festival in Ontario and serving as the founding chair for the Junos’ reggae category. The younger Jones, who has been carrying on his parents’ work through the Jones & Jones Group, started chatting with Stevens about potentially bringing a reggae project to the Calgary Philharmonic. The two eventually devised the idea of a show to celebrate what would have been Bob Marley’s 80th birthday.

Christopher Dragon, Conductor

“I asked if he was focused on bringing in some non-traditional ideas and told him about a Bob Marley concept we had,” Jones said. “In that moment both of us really lit up and we started planning.”

That plan goes beyond what Calgary Phil audiences may expect from the Orchestra’s frequent dips into genres that go beyond traditional classical music. Since Marley is such a well-known figure, Jones wanted to be sure that the production would appeal to both casual fans best acquainted with big hits like One Love and Redemption Song and dedicated reggae lovers wanting a deep dive into Marley’s legacy, all presented in new and inspiring arrangements.

Making the project all the more collaborative is the participation of Arts Commons Presents, who came on board along Jones & Jones and the Calgary Phil as co-producers through their BD&P World Stage series. They in turn enlisted Calgary multidisciplinary art collective FOREIGNERZ, who will create visuals to tell the story of Bob Marley. Bringing the songs to life, the Calgary Philharmonic will be joined by a live band, guest conductor Christopher Dragon, and featured vocalists Ammoye, Steele, Omega Mighty, and Edmonton’s Soji Joseph, all accomplished artists in their own rights.

“Our set list is really going to take people on a musical journey and an emotional journey. We’re really going to be telling a story through the artists, the band, and the orchestra,” Jones says. “I describe it as a ‘rockumentary’ that takes you through a series of emotions as you hear Bob Marley’s music reimagined in a way it hasn’t been before.”

While Calgary may not seem like the most obvious place for a Toronto-based production company to throw a posthumous birthday party for Jamaica’s most famous artist, Jones believes Calgary is actually the perfect host city for the show, largely because it is so unexpected. Jones acknowledges that despite stereotypes, Calgary often doesn’t get credit for its cultural diversity and the contributions of its thriving Black and Caribbean communities. He also recognizes the unique power Marley’s music has in bridging cultural divides and bringing people together and knows the One Love messaging pouring from the stage will resonate profoundly with Calgary audiences.

“I think Calgary is one of the most exciting cities in Canada,” Jones says. “There’s a really great opportunity for us to highlight the beauty that makes up the city, the province and our country as a whole.”

This viewpoint echoes Arts Commons’ mandate to act as a place for Calgarians of all backgrounds to come and enjoy programming that not only reflects Canadians of all backgrounds, but to also share different cultural perspectives to build connection and understanding within the city. Arts Commons VP of Programming Sarah Garton Stanley says that shows like this tribute help to build a stronger and more inclusive arts centre to better serve every Calgarian.

“If our community of Calgary is not contributing to curating the work we see, then we are not fully seeing the community we serve,” she says. “So yes, from our perspective, opening the doors in new ways, having different conversations, listening to different voices, all of it contributes to keeping all of Arts Commons vibrant and alive. From my perspective, the Calgary Phil is already doing a stellar job at thinking and acting on these imperatives.”

Ammoye, Vocals

Omega Mighty, Vocals

Soji Joseph, Vocals

Steele, Vocals

While the Calgary Philharmonic has long been offering programming designed to expand the definition of what a symphony orchestra is capable of and who the orchestra speaks to, reggae is not typically a genre tackled by traditional philharmonics. Jones’ enthusiasm for the Bob Marley tribute is matched by the musicians and staff at the Calgary Phil, who hope to attract new audiences to the performance while bringing something new to philharmonic regulars.

“The Calgary Phil has been wanting to do a reggae concert for some time, so it was serendipitous indeed when Marc crossed paths with Jesse,” says Andrea Davison, Director, Artistic and Education for the Calgary Philharmonic. “The Calgary Phil believes the orchestra is for everyone, and this celebration of Bob Marley is a great example of how we design our concert seasons to include a diverse array of music for every age and taste, and for all of our communities across the city.”

Ultimately, Jones doesn’t see this collaboration as simply a reggae concert or a local Calgary event. His vision is to bring Calgarians, and ultimately Canadians, together as a physical manifestation of Marley’s message of unity. The best music — be it played by violins and cellos, electric guitars and steel drums, or a combination of both — has a magical way of bringing people together, something Bob Marley very likely would have smiled at on his 80th birthday.

“There’s a big connection between Canada and the islands, especially Jamaica. My parents came to this country in the late ’80s with a vision of bringing together people from all walks of life through the culture they grew up in,” Jones says. “To have another generation of that family connect with Calgary and the Philharmonic to carry on that tradition of crossing cultural barriers — that is what Canada is about.”