Multi-award winning artist Rupert (Ojiji) Harvey takes a trip down memory lane, extending his arms to “Old Friends” in this, his new video — available now!
As both a solo recording artist and the founder of legendary funk band, Crack Of Dawn, and world-renowned Reggae outfit, Messenjah, Harvey has been an iconic mainstay on the Canadian music scene for more than four decades and counting. Along the way, he’s stacked a tower of awards, including a JUNO, CASBY, and the Q107 Music Award. Inducted into the Canadian Reggae Music Hall of Fame, Harvey’s music has been featured in several television and movie soundtracks; there was also a cameo appearance in the movie Cocktail.
1. What made you pursue a life in music?
“I came from a musical family. My first memory was of my Dad playing the organ and piano for church
services. When I was 8 years old, I was accepted into a folk choir at my school in Jamaica and started off singing traditional songs, which were a big part of our culture and heritage.
When I moved to Canada, I began to learn instruments, starting with the guitar. In high school, I learned Clarinet and Sax. Music seemed to come naturally to me and when the opportunity presented itself to me to become a professional musician, I just jumped at the chance.”
2. What are you working on now that excites you?
I am mostly doing a lot of writing right now and coming up with new ideas. During the pandemic it has
been really restricting my ability to perform, so I have spent a lot of time practicing, including taking up
the Sax again after many years away from it. It can be heard, featured on my new single, “Old Friends”.
3. Who are your influences?
I have a wide range of artists that I admire and that have inspired me through the years.
I don’t like containing myself in a box and restricting myself to one genre of music.
I enjoy everything from Jazz to Rock, Reggae and funk. If I were to pick a few artists, I would definitely
say…Bob Marley, Stevie Wonder, Weather Report, Pat Metheny, Bunny Wailer and many more.
What was your favourite concert and why?
My favourite live concert was “Earth, Wind and Fire”. The theatrical presentation was out of this world!
I think that musicians should not just play music but tell a story through their performance, that
connects them to the audience. I think that audience involvement is also a big part of any successful
musical presentation.
I have also really enjoyed live shows from my brother, Carl Harvey’s band, “Toots and the Maytals”,
mainly because of the energy level and the command Toots had over an audience.
What would you say to your old/young fans?
I would say that there is lots more to come, so stay tuned and keep on supporting artists, especially in
these trying times! I’ve always said that music is life and life is music!