Welcome to “Reggae on Line” a place where you can jump right into Jamaican culture

BY MICHAEL THOMAS

Yes! I mean that in every sense of the word from learning the art of drumming with Kevan Douglas, instrument making with Jeff Menzies, discussing Bob Marley with Fabian Thomas, Reggae rudiments with Gerd Beyens to coaching with founder Michael Sean Harris “Reggae on Line” has something for every member of the family.

Mr. Harris began his life on the island of Jamaica as a boy interested in music, moved his way up to the school choir, and in high school got involved in various musical productions.

For several years since 1991, Michael had been a member of The Little People and Teen Players Club, and a founding member of Ashe Caribbean Performing Arts Ensemble.

In 1996 he got accepted, on scholarship, to Berklee College of Music, in Boston. He graduated, in June of 2000 with a dual major in Music Synthesis and Contemporary Writing and Production, and like they say the rest is musical history.

He has toured around the globe, produced albums, holds a master’s in music technology and is versed in many musical genres.

Michael is a primary consultant with Digicel Rising Stars, acting as a performance coach, and can also be seen regularly on television as one of the resident judges on the High School Choir competition- TVJ’s All Together Sing.

I had the honour of speaking with this musical magician on behalf of the Toronto Caribbean Newspaper about his Reggae on Line and also his life’s work.

“The concept is,” Harris told Toronto Caribbean Newspaper “To have a place for online courses about Jamaican music and culture, language and production stuff also. It is also like a community site where you can interact with the people who wrote the courses too.”

“Reggae Online started up last year and is slowly building, adding courses as time goes by,” Harris said. Harris sounded very excited as he told Toronto Caribbean Newspaper, “We are also teaching a Dancehall production course where people can learn to build the riddim and produce a Dancehall or Reggae track as well.” 

“Ultimately,” Harris said, “What I would like to do is have people do a one-and two-week intensive course, workshops with musicians and recording studios too.”

As I listened to Harris, I got the picture that he plans to create slowly but surely what can be described as a “one-stop-shopping online center” geared to all the needs of people who love reggae and Jamaica’s culture.

One of the courses offered on this platform is an intimate knowledge of the life and career of the late Right Honourable Robert Nester Marley aka Bob Marley for all interested folks.

For up-and-coming performers and singers, there is also vocal coaching, and stagecraft done by none other than the founder himself Mr. Harris.

Harris told Toronto Caribbean Newspaper he is partnering with musicians, and people in the industry, so that they can share their experiences and knowledge, and also use this platform as a place where some of the knowledge can live and be accessible to others.

“One of the things I would like to do is to have something like a Master class, where some of the Reggae and Dancehall artists can share their story, techniques, and how they went about doing things, he said.”

Another one of the soon-to-come features of Reggae on Line will be a book club featuring a variety of Jamaican and Caribbean authors. The general public is welcome and is encouraged to visit and enjoy. The Tourism Enhancement Fund of Jamaica sponsors Reggae on Line.

Get involved by visiting https://www.reggae-on-line.com/courses