Jah’Mila is a reggae singer originally from Kingston, Jamaica, and since migrating to Atlantic Canada several years ago, she has served as a shining example and a source of inspiration for Jamaican music and culture in the region. Her musical style embodies the captivating and lively spirit of traditional Jamaican roots music, infused with elements of jazz and modern soul music.
Jah’Mila is up for African Canadian Artist of the Year and Global Recording of the Year at the East Coast Music Awards for her album, Roots Girl.
Listen to Roots Girl below and learn more about Jah’Mila via our mini-interview.
First off, care to introduce yourself to our readers?
Hey, I am Jah’Mila, and I am a Jamaican-Canadian reggae singer based in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Tell us a bit about your newest release.
Backed by an all-star 8-piece band, Roots Girl is an ambitious and personal record that explores many facets of reggae while fusing the genre with dancehall, soul, and much more. Composed of nine original tracks written over her first years living in Canada, the album explores how Jah’Mila’s deep ties to the roots of Jamaican culture collide with Canadian culture, resulting in an album that examines the fusion of and differences between the two.
You’re nominated for an East Coast Music Award this year. Is this your first time being
nominated?
Yes, it is my first time being nominated. I am up for African Nova Scotian Artist of the Year and Global Recording of the Year.
Are you performing anywhere during the festivities from May 3-7? If so, where?
Thursday May 4th, 2023
Showtime: 8:00-10:30 pm
Scotiabank Centre, Halifax
Live Awards – Red Carpet
(Only doing one song and the performance will also be captured for audio/video live stream broadcast & available online post event)
Thursday, May 4, 2023
Performance time: 12:05 AM;
Venue: Nova Scotia Ballroom, Halifax Marriott Harbourfront Hotel 1919 Upper Water St, Halifax, NS B3J 3J5
Performance Length: 30 minutes
Friday, May 5, 2023,
Performance: 3:00 PM
Venue: Nova Scotia Ballroom, Halifax Marriott Harbourfront Hotel 1919 Upper Water St, Halifax, NS B3J 3J5
Performance Length: 20 minutes
Are there any specific events through the weekend that you are excited to check out?
I am really looking forward to checking out some of the incredible East Coast artists and their showcases. The big ones for me are listed below:
The Black Vibes Stage
Aquakultre
Adam Baldwin
Nicole Ariana
Lindsay Misiner and the 7th Mystic
Rankin MacInnis and the Broken Reeds
If you could work with any fellow East Coast artist, who would you choose?
- Aqualkultre
- Classified
- Wolfcastle
- OSound
- David Myles
- Reeny
Do you have any upcoming shows, other than the ECMAs to tell us about?
On May 13th, we will be playing at the Lunenburg Opera House for the Lunenburg Folk Harbour Society’s Weekends at the Opera House, and on May 21st, we will be performing at Paddlefest Music & Outdoor Recreation Festival in St. Andrews, New Brunswick.
What’s next for you in 2023?
We will be playing with Symphony Nova Scotia in September, and with the Regina Symphony Orchestra in November, with some other great shows on our roster. 2023 is also full of writing and recording for our second album, which is scheduled to be released in February 2024.