2026
Celebrations and Revelations 2026 – Halifax
HALIFAX
Date: Friday, February 6, 2026
Time: 7:00 pm
Location: In-person event at the Canadian Museum or Immigration at Pier 21
Language: Presented in English
Cost: $40.00
In honour of African Heritage Month join the Museum and Joy Bullen for Celebrations and Revelations, a concert featuring award-winning artists Jah’Mila and Julian Taylor.
The concert will bring together music, heritage, identity and storytelling together with two artists whose work speaks to migration, memory, belonging and the power of song.
ABOUT JAH’MILA:
Jah’Mila is a Juno-nominated reggae singer hailing from Kingston, Jamaica, who now calls Nova Scotia home. A beacon for Jamaican music and culture in Atlantic Canada, Jah’Mila’s music embodies the spirit of traditional Jamaican roots reggae music, infused with light elements of jazz and soul.
Her journey has led her to tour with renowned reggae acts. She has also collaborated with the National Arts Centre Orchestra, Toronto Symphony Orchestra and the Symphony Nova Scotia honing her skills as a vocalist and a cultural reggae ambassador along the way.
Her Juno nominated debut album, “Roots Girl,” released in 2022, is a spirited collection of reggae songs that not only honors her cultural roots, but also serves as a platform for social advocacy. Through her music, she champions a vision of a more inclusive, diverse, and supported arts community. Jah’Mila stands poised to light up every stage, continuing to captivate hearts and share her music and culture across the world.
ABOUT JULIAN TAYLOR:
Julian Taylor is a Toronto-based, award-winning independent singer-songwriter, radio host, and label owner. Over 20-plus years as the leader of Staggered Crossing, Julian Taylor Band, and his solo work, Julian established himself as one of Canada’s great troubadours. He has earned four JUNO nominations, a pair of Canadian Folk Music Awards, five Native American Music Award nominations, and a nomination for the Polaris Music Prize. With a soulful voice and captivating stage presence, Julian’s unique blend of blues, roots, and folk music has earned him a growing fanbase and critical acclaim not only in Canada but also in Europe and the US. He’s earned four Juno Award nominations (including one this year for Roots Album of the Year for “Beyond The Reservoir”) , along with eight Canadian Folk Music Awards for Solo Artist and English Songwriter of the Year – won Solo Artist in 2022, five Native American Music Award nominations, plus a nomination for Canada’s most prestigious music accolade, the Polaris Music Prize.
Presented in partnership with Joy Bullen, Culturepreneur and supported by TD Bank Group through TD Ready Commitment.
2026
Celebrations and Revelations 2026 – Toronto
ABOUT CELEBRATIONS AND REVELATIONS 2026
TORONTO
Prepare for a powerful and exciting night of music with heartfelt storytelling from critically acclaimed singer / songwriter Julian Taylor, a Canadian musician of Black and Mohawk heritage.
A soulful storyteller with folk roots, Julian will be bringing his musical gifts to tell stories of family, resistance and achievement. He weaves personal narratives with universal themes, creating relatable, inspirational, and thought-provoking music that offers both wisdom and comfort. Taylor’s stories highlight and celebrate the potent impact of the Black story teller who has charted his own path, refusing to be defined by the limitations of the time. He uses his art to preserve history and community memory as well as for empowerment.
“Julian Taylor’s music is a beacon of hope in troubled times. His lyrics are thoughtful and inspiring and his voice is both powerful and tender” (Canadian Beats Wayne Arthurson)
We are pleased that Julian is lending has voice, once again, to join with Canadians from coast to coast, to celebrate Black History Month, February 2026.
Co- presented with Massey Hall in Toronto, this concert celebrates the 10th anniversary of Black History Month Music Tours as well as the culmination of an exciting year of creativity and growth as Julian Taylor completes his year as one of the celebrated artists from the Corporation of Massey Hall and Roy Thomson Hall first-ever artist-in-residency program.
ABOUT JULIAN TAYLOR
Julian Taylor and his band last performed a sold-out TD Music Hall performance in December 2023 and released a live album from that live show last year titled, Live at TD Music Hall – the first album ever to be recorded, mixed and produced entirely in Allied Music Centre’s state-of-the art facilities – straight from the stage at TD Music Hall to the Deane Cameron Recording Studio in Dolby Atmos. Catch some of the action from that sold-out TD Music Hall show HERE.
Earlier this year, Taylor was selected to be part of the inaugural Allied Music Centre Artist in Residency program that also features Celeigh Cardinal, and Sebastian Gaskin.
Julian Taylor is currently on tour in support of his new music, with confirmed dates in the UK, Canada and the US. With a live show that always wows audiences, Taylor caught the attention of Jeremy Vine of BBC2 last year at his show in London, who proclaimed that Taylor is “an incredible, profound, thoughtful, musical genius” on the social media platform X.
Listen to Julian Taylor’s latest single, “Dedication” HERE.
ABOUT TD MUSIC HALL
TD Music Hall is a state-of-the-art 500-capacity performance space that offers a hotbed of activity with a new stage for emerging Canadian talent and international touring artists. Located in the Allied Music Centre and connected to Massey Hall, it is also a destination for music students and community groups to immerse themselves in dedicated programming and events with the goal of inspiring future generations of performers and music fans.
ABOUT ALLIED MUSIC CENTRE
Allied Music Centre is Canada’s new state-of-the-art cultural ecosystem with four venues devoted to live music, artist development, community outreach, and educational programming. Established in 2021 as part of the Massey Hall Revitalization Project, Allied Music Centre includes the remarkably restored Allan Slaight Auditorium, Muskoka Spirits Basement Bar plus, a new 7-storey building adjacent to the legendary hall. This new building is home to TD Music Hall and will soon open its doors to a 150-capacity venue, plus The Deane Cameron Recording Studio, creative spaces for artists, educators, and community groups alike and more.
Visit https://alliedmusiccentre.mhrth.com for more.
TD Music Hall Introduction
Julian
Julian in performance
Julian and Band2
TDMH audience
Jahmila-green-dress
2025
Celebrations and Revelations 2025 – We Are Country
Four award-winning Black Canadian country singers demonstrate that race, as it relates to genres of music, is irrelevant. We seek to show audiences across Canada, that we are Country folk too, and in doing so, inspire emerging musicians.
Halifax Concert
February 12, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Canadian Museum of Immigration
Pier 21
Toronto Concert
February 28th, 2025 at 7:30 PM (Reception: 6:30 PM)
The Globe and Mail Centre
351 King Street East, #Suite 1700
We Are Country Artist Bio’s
2024
Celebrations and Revelations 2024 – Unyielding Roots
Premiering original compositions by two second generation Canadians with Caribbean and African roots. Composers Rashaan Rory Allwood, pianist / instrumentalist, and Kathryn Patricia Cobbler, Loop pedal violist, with the outstanding soprano voice of Nadine Anyan.
Rashaan and Kathryn will take you on a musical journey with pieces that reflect upon elements of the Caribbean immigrant and African diaspora experience. A program of original ambient jazz, folk, and classical compositions performed against a background film of images and events from life in the Caribbean and in Canada, exploring themes of being raised within multiple cultures and redefining beauty against a North American colonial landscape.
Toronto Concert
February 11, 2024 at 3:00 PM
Holy Blossom Temple, 1950 Bathurst Street Toronto,ON
Tickets: $45
2023
Jesse Ryan and Kaiso Street Collective
Jesse Ryan & Kaiso Street Collective
Premiering Music of the Mighty Bomber
February 17, 2023 – 7pm
Holy Blossom Temple, 1950 Bathurst Street, Toronto
$40 Admission
Jesse Ryan
Jeff La Rochelle
Alexander Brown
Kelsley Grant
Andrew Marzotto
Michael Davidson
Ewen Farncombe
Roberto Occhipiniti
Anthony Daniel
Kaiso Street Collective is a new ensemble (nonet) lead by JUNO-Nominated, Trinidadian-born saxophonist and composer Jesse Ryan, that is dedicated to presenting fresh arrangements of music from the golden age of calypso, re-imagined through the lens of modern jazz. The ensemble will premiere new arrangements of some of his late grandfather, Clifton Ryan’s (aka The Mighty Bomber) calypsos as well as calypsos from The Mighty Spoiler, who was one of Bomber’s mentors and biggest influences. Though the cultural contributions of Caribbean icons to Black history have been seen and celebrated in part, their stories are often left out of the global narrative. This project seeks to echo the idea that CALYPSO HISTORY IS BLACK HISTORY!
2022
Celebrations and Revelations 2022 – A Free online concert in celebration of Black History Month
Presenting: Brothers, Rashaan Rori Allwood and Yanick Allwood.
Pianist, organist and composer Rashaan Rori Allwood, and vocalist, multi-keyboardist, composer and sound designer Yanick Allwood combine their talents to demonstrate how modern Black artists have always used music and story-telling to nurture our culture and give a voice to our people.
The brothers welcome a guest performer from British Columbia, award–winning performance artist, Shayna Jones, who has been keeping the important tradition of African storytelling alive through her performances across Canada.
They tell stories through the songs of some of our past and contemporary Black icons including Stevie Wonder, Mahalia Jackson, Donny Hathaway, Solage, and include their own compositions. Then they invite local elder, music producer and jazz pianist, Eddie Bullen, to share his wisdom.
It is our great pleasure to continue to offer our audiences the important opportunity to witness generations of our rich Black musical heritage and to discover great Black artists of the past, present and the future.
This program is part of the TD 2022 Black History Month Series.
Opening (online) Performance: Tuesday, February 1, 2022 @ 7 – 8:30 PM EST
This FREE concert will be streamed online from February 1, 2022 to February 28, 2022 Unlimited viewing!
Plan your watch parties with your family and friends, and join us from the comfort of your home.
2021
Celebrations and Revelations 2021 – A Free online concert in celebration of Black History Month
Presenting four extraordinary young Black Canadian classical artists, performing the music of Black Composers from 17th to 21st century.
Pianist, organist and composer Rashaan Rori Allwood, violinist Tanya Charles Iveniuk, trumpeter William Franklyn Leathers and soprano Nadine Anyan will surprise and delight you with the music of Black composers whose names have been neglected in Western classical music tradition, and who you will want to add to your playlist. From the great Joseph Bologne, the Chevalier de Saint-Georges, a prolific composer, violinist and conductor who was born to an enslaved Black woman in 1745 in the French colony of Guadeloupe; to the self taught Erroll Garner, considered one of the most distinctive of all pianists, who was born in Pittsburg Pennsylvania in 1921. Garner proved that it was possible to be a sophisticated player without knowing how to read music yet he produced extraordinary jazz compositions such as the popular ‘Misty’. We add a special treat of poetry of Langston Hughes set to music. Then prepare to be awed by young Rashaan Allwood who offers a selection of his own compositions.
It is our great pleasure to continue to offer our audiences the important opportunity to reclaim a forgotten part of Black musical heritage and to discover great artists both of the past and the future.
This program is part of the TD 2021 Black History Month Series.
Opening (online) Performance: Monday, February 1, 2021 @ 8 – 9:30 PM EST
This FREE concert will be streamed online from February 1, 2021 to February 28, 2021 Unlimited viewing!
Plan your watch parties with your family and friends, and join us from the comfort of your home.
2020
Presenting Rashaan Rori Allwood and Nadine Anyan in Concert. Toronto performance added****
A concert for piano and voice presenting two extraordinary young Canadian classical artists at the beginning of major musical careers, performing the music of Composers from 18th to 21st century.
Pianist, Rashaan Rori Allwood, and soprano Nadine Anyan, will perform little-known works of Black classical composers from the 18th to the 21st century alongside the more familiar music of their White contemporaries. The program will shine a spotlight on works by some superb but under-recognized Black composers, and will celebrate the diverse history of classical music.
Don’t miss this important opportunity to reclaim a forgotten part of Black Musical Heritage, and discover artists both of the past and the future.
Performances:
VANCOUVER: Saturday, February 1, 2020 Black History Month celebration hosted by The National Congress of Black Women Foundation B.C. at the Vancouver Public Library from 3:00PM
TORONTO: Thursday, February 27, 2020 Black History Month celebration in partnership with Holy Blossom Temple, 1950 Bathurst Street, Toronto in the second floor performance space (the Mishkan) 7:00PM
Toronto concert is FREE to the public. A Ticket is required and available from Eventbrite Reserve your tickets here
HALIFAX: Tuesday, March 3, 2020 at the Canadian Museum of Immigration, Pier 21 Halifax. 10:00AM – Student concert and in-conversation with Rashaan and Nadine 7:00PM – general audience concert
2018
Andrew Forde Ideas of North, February 9, 2018 Koerner Hall, Toronto, March 1, 2018 Canadian Museum of Immigration, Halifax
2015 – 2018
Quincy and Eddie Bullen Father and Son Duelling Pianos Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, Halifax. Calgary, Vancouver