TORONTO, July 4, 2025 – The Canada Black Music Archives (CBMA) is bringing back the Little Jamaica Music History Walking Tour for its second year after a sold-out debut in 2024. This free, interactive experience takes participants on a guided stroll through Eglinton West’s vibrant cultural district, highlighting iconic spots like Jimmy Wisdom’s Barbershop, Sunshine Sounds, Reggae Lane, and more.
This free guided tour begins at 2353 Dufferin Street and ends at Marlee Avenue. Attendees get the opportunity to dive into the historical landmarks of Little Jamaica, while listening to tracks by local artists.
Performers on the Tour
Performers slated so far include international reggae musician, Papa Levy (July 13th); the bilingual fusion stylings of Dahlia Anderson (July 27th); steelpan educator and pannist Pat McNeilly, aka Panman Pat (August 1st); and former lead singer for the Arsenals, Dave Vassell, aka Comfort (August 3rd).
supplied by artist
Caribbean food stops
This year’s tour will also include stops at select food locations, allowing participants to enjoy various Caribbean dishes and neighbourhood favourites.
Now back by popular demand, the 2025 dates are July 13th & 27th, August 3rd & 17th, and September 7th & 21st.
As the first music focused walking tour in Little Jamaica, the CBMA rocked sold-out tours throughout the 2024 summer season and captured the attention of several organizations including CBC Radio, CBC TV, City TV, Global TV, AMI TV, Talk 1010 radio, 105.1FM, Jazz FM, the Toronto Star, Caribbean Camera, and The Jamaica Gleaner.
Where in Toronto is Little Jamaica?
The area known as ‘Little Jamaica’ stretches along Eglinton Avenue West from Marlee Avenue to Keele Street. With the influx of immigrants between the 1960’s to 1990’s, it became home to many people from the Caribbean. They opened several businesses including beauty salons, record stores, studios, and restaurants.
Reggae, ska, dub, calypso, it all started here
The strip attracted the biggest names in the industry. Not only was it home for reggae, but housed calypso, dub, ska, and rocksteady, among other music genres. Behind these genres were community greats like Leroy Sibbles, King Culture, Nana McLean, Jay Douglas, Jackie Mittoo, and more.
Join the CBMA in this educational tour and learn more about the many culturally significant contributions this enclave has to offer. Special thanks to the York-Eglinton BIA.
City of Toronto’s Main Street Innovation Fund
This project has been funded by the City of Toronto’s Main Street Innovation Fund, as part of Government of Canada support through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario.
To book your tour visit their landing page.
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