Love, unity and social justice are elements of the human experience that are central to the Christmas holiday season.
It’s a time, not only of celebration, but of personal reflection and a renewal of the belief that, together, we can make the world a better, kinder place, full of hope and generosity toward one another.
Perhaps that’s why the Christmas season is ideally suited for the coming concert by reggae legend, Clinton Fearon as he takes the stage with Caleb Hart.
Reggae music is, after all, about social justice, love and the hope for the best that the human soul can muster.
“The music is great because it shows reality, but it also shows how things should be between people,” Fearon says.
Currently on tour in Brazil, Fearon says he loves coming back to Victoria for a Christmas show, because he loves the community and its people.
“I live in Seattle right now, but I try to get up to Victoria whenever I can. The people are wonderful there,” he says.
Born in Kingston, Jamaica, Fearon has been performing his music for more than 50 years, finding his inspiration at his local Seventh-day Adventist church.
He performed with The Gladiators and later reorganized his musical vision by forming The Boogie Brown Band. That group’s debut album, Disturb the Devil, marked the beginning of Fearon’s successful solo career.
He has toured throughout Europe, the United States, Africa, and, well, just about anywhere you can imagine.
But what is it about reggae that endures and brings out the best in the human spirit?
“Beyond the sense of hope, the music has a heartbeat. The rhythms touch the soul and, at Christmas, that connection is more important than ever.”
That sentiment is shared by Caleb Hart, who will appear alongside Fearon at their coming Christmas show.
“First off, I grew up listening to Clinton Fearon. I was born in Tobago and the music…I call it Island soul… was a huge part of who I am. I always dreamed of performing with Clinton, and I finally have the chance this Christmas. It’s my own special Christmas gift,” Hart says.
Hart has managed to make his own mark on the reggae scene, having toured Australia, the U.S., New Zealand, Europe, Africa and the Caribbean for just over a decade. In that time, he’s played an astounding 1,150 shows and says that he loves the music a bit more with every performance.
“I released my latest album, Emancipation recently. It was all written and performed here in Victoria and it’s a brief journey through the Caribbean. Island Soul is epitomized in the release and I’m looking forward to performing some of it at the concert,” he says.
“The Christmas concert and reggae are, to me, a perfect blend. The spirit of Christmas is, at its heart, the same spirit that Christmas is meant to embody,” Hart says. “I know that we’ll be able to touch people with the music.”
The Acoustic Reggae Holiday Celebration happens Friday, Dec. 13 at the White Eagle Polish Hall (90 Dock St.). Tickets are available at ticketweb.ca/event/acoustic-reggae-holiday-celebration-ft-white-eagle-polish-hall-tickets.
