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Who is RYAN? ….Portrait of an artist.
A
pupil of the arts from an early age, RYAN destabilizes the notion that youthful vibrancy does not beget wisdom
and insight. The world is RYAN's muse. His evocative lyrics stem from current events, compelling life stories
and powerful human emotions. RYAN's songs are not afraid to live inside a problem and to come out the other end,
transformed but intact.
RYAN is a fresh face with an old soul- well schooled in the language of history, love, ancestry, and the
universal power of music. He's an artist who takes the challenge to embellish on the trends of popular music
as a rite of passage. He's wise enough to know what appeals to people but smart enough to present it to them in
unexpected ways.
Born with the sand and the sea at his feet, Ryan has extracted the best of Jamaica from its simple pleasures,
to its rich historical past, to it's distinctive musical beats. RYAN's Jamaican roots are never far from his
reach and like the Greek chorus in the days of old, Ryan draws from a rich well of oral tradition visited upon
him by elders past and present. These voices allow him to fuse his vision for the future with their
insight of the past.
What is the ReggaeSoul Experience?
What do you do when an artist defies categorization? You make a new category. ReggaeSoul is our attempt to encapsulate the flavour and essence of RYAN. You can Call it Neo-Soul, Nouveau-Reggae, Urban Jazz or Soulful Balladry, but whatever you do, call it sweet music.
ReggaeSoul is a musical journey that happens when a jazz inspired song suddenly feels ska, a reggae vibe takes a
soulful turn, or a hip hop beat gets a lethal injection of r n'b rhythms.
A Born Performer. Professional. Compelling. Experienced.
Industry watchers have been eying Ryan for while, in fact as a teenager he was an integral member of the
harmony boy band The Five Aces. The band was way ahead of its time and garnered a devoted following of fans
with their mix of dance moves, tight harmonies and R n B phrasing. Since those days, RYAN has become a respected
vocal arranger, background singer and vocal artist in his own right. He's been busy on the reggae scene making
great music and touring with Michael "Grammy Kid" Rose of Black Uhuru fame for the past several years. Through
this relationship he has been traveling the world, bringing his hype- energy and sparking electric connections
with the fans from all over.
RYAN is a confident and consummate performer who is well versed in every aspect of the business from tour
management, to concert promotions, television, theatre and stage show performances. Ryan is also the voice
behind the mic on commercial jingles for corporations such as Suzuki and Esso and he has appeared on numerous
popular reggae CD's and shows with such notable reggae warriors as Glen Washington, Dennis Brown, Eddie Grant,
Freddie McGregor, Frankie Paul, Sly and Robbie to name a few.
When summoned by Canadian reggae icons Messenjah for their 1997 release 'Catch De Vibe', Ryan delivered his signature
vocals to the album which went on to cop the Juno award for Best Reggae Recording. And RYAN's winning streak didn't
end there. He was a featured subject in the documentary 'Different Yet The Same: A Look into Canadian Cultures Today'
where his breadth of knowledge and magnetic energy immediately caught the attention of the films producers. He
can already count video collaborations with Citizen Kane, Messenjah and Andrew Ranxx and most recently President Brown to his credit and now he can add recording projects with Capelton and President Brown as well.
Visionary. Vocalist. Brilliant. Global Messenger.
Ryan is an artist of unique vision and integrity who brings his uncompromising style and raw emotive talent
front and centre- everytime. He has cultivated a local audience at the festival, concert and club scene level
throughout the city and he has craved out a wide international presence from his ever expanding tour base.
From Warsaw, Poland to Kiev, Ukraine in Eastern Europe to down under in Australia, Great Britain and
continental Europe with a criss-crossing of US states in between, RYAN's music echoes and reverberates
all over.- his will be a name you will surely hear over and over again.
"Ryan has fused a unique sound that is both infectious and original."
The Jamaican Star, May 2001.
"A certified singer-songwriter and acclaimed Juno award winning artist, Ryan possesses a voice that stirs the
soul like a flute solo on a mid summers breeze."
Ambassador Magazine, Feb/2003.
"Ryan has what you call 'star powe'r…"
Phil Vassell, Word Magazine.
"…I know you will be bringing home a Grammy soon!"
Rose Washington, Fan.
"It's refreshing to see an artist adding new sounds to the music"
Sly Dunbar, Musician, Producer .
Selected Artist Highlights….
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Successfully completed extensive European tour, including performances in Australia and New Zealand, 2003
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Completed Video shoot for 'Be Thankful For What You Got' with Prezident Brown, Jamaica 2003
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Performed with original dance Diva, Grace Jones Glasgow Scotland April 2003.
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Debut singles 'Hold On', 'Bad Energy' and 'This Little Light of Mine' on
radio rotation.
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Featured entertainer in Ambassador Magazine, February 2003
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Performed on BT and is a frequent radio guest interviewee
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Featured subject in nationally aired TV documentary 'Different, yet the same: A Look into Canadian Cultures
Today' (Jamaican episode)
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2001, Featured performer at International Arts Week - Kiev, Ukraine.
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Shared Juno award for Best Reggae Recording with Messenjah for their CD 'Catch De Vibe' . Has collaborated and appeared on one Juno nominees release for the past 5 years!
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Video appearances in Citizen Kane's Raisin Kane, Messenjah 's It's
You and as a featured performer on the collaborative single Bad
Energy with Andrew Ranxx
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TV jingle vocalist for Esso and Suzuki corporations
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Performed and toured with Eddy Grant for World Millennium Concert
'Tomorrow Today' in Tobago, 2000
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Featured performer at Taste of the Danforth , Island Soul,
Harbourfront Centre, Celebrate Toronto Street Festival, Bamboo
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Awesome. Brilliant. Hear it. Love it. ReggaeSoul
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