Jay Douglas takes a walk on the bluesy in his jazzy new single I’m In Love With You — showcasing today on Tinnitist.
Although well known as a reggae artist, Douglas has always had a strong connection with blues and jazz, which comes through loud and clear here. What makes I’m In Love With You special is its ability to transport the listener to a time when big bands set the standard. Warm brass swells and slick guitar riffs are accompanied by piano, organ and walking bass, taking you for a stroll down memory lane. Which also happens to be where Douglas found his inspiration for the cut.
“Many years ago, a promoter allowed me to put a band together for a famous blues singer from the U.S.A. whose name is Roscoe Gordon,” he says. “His music is one of the main reasons we’re enjoying reggae music today. Working with Roscoe gave me so much inspiration for my blues recordings. I’m In Love With You was produced by the maestro Eddie Bullen — lending to that blues style.”
Douglas’s ability to connect with listeners and paint a picture with his lyrics is truly something special and always humbling. Growing up in Jamaica, Douglas was drawn to blues, jazz, gospel, country, mento, and calypso styles of music early on. He draws much of his inspiration from this love affair he has with these genres and writes music he loves that he believes will love him back.
“Writing my music gives me a platform to share the truth and experience of my musical journey with others,” he says. “The idea behind my music is all about the truth, and good vibrations for our souls. Just moving and grooving. The connections between me, my instruments, bandmasters, and collaborators — it’s a love affair under one foundation to share with the younger generations who are the gems of the future.”
Douglas found his introduction to the limelight in Montego Bay. From there, his natural charisma and irresistible charm have led to a successful and continuing 45-plus year career in entertainment, through which he has developed a passion for American blues, West Indian rhythms and jazz standards.
Douglas’s tactile and impactful performances are the reason he was named Toronto’s Best R&B Act by NOW Magazine in 2006 and won the Toronto Reggae Awards’ Male Reggae Vocalist Of The Year prize in 2007. These accolades drew the attention of Seattle label Light In The Attic, who chose Douglas to headline their From Jamaica to Toronto tour. Most recently, Douglas was nominated for Reggae Recording Of The Year at the 2020 Juno Awards for his collaboration with General Trees on Jah Children.
Check out I’m In Love With You above, sample more from Jay Douglas below, and find him at his website, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
