
In early 1960s Toronto, a white, Anglo-centric city, an underground music scene emerged from the Jamaican diaspora, led by newcomers like Jackie Mittoo, Wayne McGhie, and a young Jay Douglas. Battling racism and indifference, they left a lasting but underrecognized mark on Canadian music and culture. Nearly 60 years later, Jay Douglas still champions Jamaican music and is finally receiving long-overdue recognition. Play It Loud is a feature documentary that tells the little-known story of how Jamaican music became a vital, unlikely part of Canadian culture. It traces a cultural migration that made Canada a global hub for Jamaican music - celebrated abroad but overlooked at home. Told through the life and music of beloved singer Jay Douglas, born Clive Pinnock in rural Jamaica, the film follows his journey from teen performer to enduring icon.
Jay Douglas
Jay Douglas

Jackie Richardson
Jackie Richardson

Lowell 'Sly' Dunbar
Lowell 'Sly' Dunbar
Rollie "Cadence Weapon" Pemberton
Rollie "Cadence Weapon" Pemberton
Lillian Allen
Lillian Allen
Klive Walker
Klive Walker
Nicholas Jennings
Nicholas Jennings
Carlene Davis
Carlene Davis
Grub Cooper
Grub Cooper
Supreme La Rock
Supreme La Rock
Michael Williams
Michael Williams
Eddie Bullen
Eddie Bullen

The Harder They Come
The Harder They Come

Earth, Wind & Fire (To Be Celestial vs. That's the Weight of the World)
Earth, Wind & Fire (To Be Celestial vs. That's the Weight of the World)

James Brown: Soul Survivor
James Brown: Soul Survivor

Trick or Treaty?
Trick or Treaty?

Cincinnati's Rock 'N Roll Legends
Cincinnati's Rock 'N Roll Legends

Festival Express
Festival Express

The Dionne Quintuplets
The Dionne Quintuplets

Writing the Land
Writing the Land

Rockers
Rockers

Back to Black
Back to Black

When We Were Kings
When We Were Kings

EXPO 67 Mission Impossible
EXPO 67 Mission Impossible