Known for his showmanship and gregarious personality, R Zee Jackson, familiar to many as Esso, was a singer and record producer, and, in Toronto, a conspicuous and responsive source of Canadian Rasta aesthetics and sensibilities. He passed away peacefully on July 24th.
"When R.Zee joined Ital Groove," the late Bernie Pitters told me," he was humble and serious. We told him he must come out on stage and address the people more." He laughed. "We created a monster."
As a producer and recording artist, R. Zee's award-winning 1980 LP Seat Up established his visibility locally, and further album releases, such as Reggae Labrish and Unda De Struggle spread his name worldwide, leading to travels in England and the U.S.A.
In Toronto, he made efforts to focus attention on the presence of the burgeoning reggae community. In response to his own win at the Black Music Awards, he held a Black Media Awards Night at a popular club called Bond Street, recognizing the influencers who were then active in print, radio and concert production.
In the Jamaican community centered at Eglinton and Marlee, he became well-known for presenting artists and recording their work. In 1984, he assembled a collection of top Toronto musicians to tour the west coast as Jamafrika, with shows in Vancouver, Seattle and Portland.
For the last ten years he has toured the world with Cedric Myton, leader of The Congos, one of the most highly-esteemed reggae vocal groups of the 70's, with several European performances already being advertised for the coming months.
With Cedric Myton - 2015 Aug. 1st - Bagnols-sur-Ceze, France
He had returned to Canada recently to appear at some live shows, at BSMT254, and a surprise cameo at Reggae On The Beach with Bless Up sound System, and to publicize the release of his latest album Black Coffee And Dub.
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