• Stouffville resident Jason Wilson is a two-time JUNO Award nominee singer and songwriter and a Canadian Reggae Music Award winner.
  • Wilson just released his newest music video for the track “Coal Dust Caruso,” with the single set to drop later this month.
  • This marks the third single from his 10th album, “Ashara,” which is available on his Soundcloud, Spotify, and YouTube channels.
  • Jason Wilson & Ashara, Wilson’s group, will be performing at Nineteen on the Park on Saturday, April 27. Doors open at 6 p.m., and tickets are available here.
  • Further information about Wilson and his music can be found on his website.

Born to Scottish immigrants and raised in Toronto, Wilson has graced Canadian stages over 2,500 times throughout his career. A multifaceted musician, he is the group’s lead vocalist and also plays acoustic guitar and piano. Wilson’s work spans an eclectic range of genres, from regional folk to reggae, and he writes, produces, and directs much of his music and videos.

“Ashara,” the title of his latest LP, also represents the ensemble of talented musicians currently accompanying him. The band includes Jamaican guitarist and Toots & The Maytals member Carl Harvey, vocalist Laurel Tubman, saxophonist Marcus Ali, percussionist Vince Reel, bassist Michael Shapinko, and trumpet player Patrice Barbanchon.

The album delves into Wilson’s heritage and is inspired by his father’s 8mm films from 1960s Scotland. “It is my memories mixed with my dad’s films, mixed with what I know of Ayrshire, going back hundreds of years,” he explains. “There is a sequential arc to the album in that each song represents a season of one’s life,” Wilson adds.

“Coal Dust Caruso,” recorded in Stouffville and Toronto, narrates a longing for more in a working-class existence. The track’s music video, which can be seen below, features clips from his father’s films.

Award-winning UK bagpiper Ali Hutton will join Jason Wilson & Ashara for their April 27 performance at Nineteen On The Park, with a supporting act from Stouffville favourite Kendall Lily. A limited number of tickets were still available at the time of publishing.

Wilson and his wife have been living in Stouffville for 14 years, and this will be his tenth time playing the local venue. “It’s always great to play your hometown; we know almost everyone in the audience already! Wait, now I’m a bit nervous!” he added with a smile.

Cover image courtesy of the artists