Joe
We had just arrived at the York-Eglinton International Street Festival, an annual event sponsored by the Business Improvement Association. Eglinton West is one of Toronto’s many multicultural neighborhoods with a strong representation by Jamaicans who have made Toronto home. A historical plaque celebrates “Little Jamaica” which is one of the largest Jamaican communities outside of Jamaica as is recognized on the following historical plaque: torontoplaques.com/Pages/Torontos_Reggae_Roots.html.
Soon after arriving, I noticed this man sitting on a ledge in a parking lot with his back to the steel wall of a barber shop. Of course it was his tall hat along with his warm, friendly face that caught my attention. As I approached him he greeted me with a smile and reached out to shake hands. “My name is Jeff and you might already know that I am asking if I can take your photo for my photography project.” He was interested and asked about the project so I gave him my contact card and explained. “Sure” he said. “I’m Joe Isaac.”
Joe told me he is a musician (drums) from Jamaica but has lived in Toronto for 40 years. I told him I could photograph him without his having to move and after a couple of photos I asked if he was going to be playing at the festival. He said “Not today. I’m here to support my friend who is going to be performing.” He gestured to another man sitting nearby among the cars in the parking lot. I found out that Joe is 67 and recorded in Studio One in Jamaica. A bit of googling once I got home informed me that "Studio One is one of Jamaica's most renowned record labels and recording studios, having been described as the Motown of Jamaica. The record label was involved with most of the major music movements in Jamaica during the 1960s and 1970s including ska, rocksteady, reggae, dub and dancehall. "
Joe pointed to a huge mural behind me (on the other side of the parking lot) and said his is one of the faces on the mural which celebrates many of Jamaica’s musical greats. “No kidding?” I said. “For real” he said with a shy smile. I suggested we cross the parking lot so I could photograph him next to his image on the mural (www.blogto.com/arts/2015/09/reggae_lane_mural_unveiled_in...). Joe was glad to oblige my request. I asked if I could send him a free copy of the photos as a thank you and he said “Not necessary, my friend. They are my gift to you.” When I asked if he had a message to share through my project he leaned toward me with a gentle smile and gave the biblical quote: “Don’t walk by sight. Walk by faith.”
As I walked him back to his perch across the parking lot I felt the warmth of this relatively brief interaction. I felt it in our parting handshake as well. I told him he was a very nice guy and thanked him for taking the time to join my photo project. We wished each other an enjoyable festival day.
It was a pleasure meeting you Joe. I hope you and your friends had a great day at the festival and thank you for welcoming me into your community. May you continue keeping the beat for a long time to come.
This is my 302nd submission to The Human Family Group on Flickr.
You can view more street portraits and stories by visiting The Human Family.
Additional note:
You can read more about Joe and his accomplishments in this newspaper article:
www.jamaicaobserver.com/entertainment/Joe-Isaacs-to-be-la....
Joe
We had just arrived at the York-Eglinton International Street Festival, an annual event sponsored by the Business Improvement Association. Eglinton West is one of Toronto’s many multicultural neighborhoods with a strong representation by Jamaicans who have made Toronto home. A historical plaque celebrates “Little Jamaica” which is one of the largest Jamaican communities outside of Jamaica as is recognized on the following historical plaque: torontoplaques.com/Pages/Torontos_Reggae_Roots.html.
Soon after arriving, I noticed this man sitting on a ledge in a parking lot with his back to the steel wall of a barber shop. Of course it was his tall hat along with his warm, friendly face that caught my attention. As I approached him he greeted me with a smile and reached out to shake hands. “My name is Jeff and you might already know that I am asking if I can take your photo for my photography project.” He was interested and asked about the project so I gave him my contact card and explained. “Sure” he said. “I’m Joe Isaac.”
Joe told me he is a musician (drums) from Jamaica but has lived in Toronto for 40 years. I told him I could photograph him without his having to move and after a couple of photos I asked if he was going to be playing at the festival. He said “Not today. I’m here to support my friend who is going to be performing.” He gestured to another man sitting nearby among the cars in the parking lot. I found out that Joe is 67 and recorded in Studio One in Jamaica. A bit of googling once I got home informed me that "Studio One is one of Jamaica's most renowned record labels and recording studios, having been described as the Motown of Jamaica. The record label was involved with most of the major music movements in Jamaica during the 1960s and 1970s including ska, rocksteady, reggae, dub and dancehall. "
Joe pointed to a huge mural behind me (on the other side of the parking lot) and said his is one of the faces on the mural which celebrates many of Jamaica’s musical greats. “No kidding?” I said. “For real” he said with a shy smile. I suggested we cross the parking lot so I could photograph him next to his image on the mural (www.blogto.com/arts/2015/09/reggae_lane_mural_unveiled_in...). Joe was glad to oblige my request. I asked if I could send him a free copy of the photos as a thank you and he said “Not necessary, my friend. They are my gift to you.” When I asked if he had a message to share through my project he leaned toward me with a gentle smile and gave the biblical quote: “Don’t walk by sight. Walk by faith.”
As I walked him back to his perch across the parking lot I felt the warmth of this relatively brief interaction. I felt it in our parting handshake as well. I told him he was a very nice guy and thanked him for taking the time to join my photo project. We wished each other an enjoyable festival day.
It was a pleasure meeting you Joe. I hope you and your friends had a great day at the festival and thank you for welcoming me into your community. May you continue keeping the beat for a long time to come.
This is my 302nd submission to The Human Family Group on Flickr.
You can view more street portraits and stories by visiting The Human Family.
Additional note:
You can read more about Joe and his accomplishments in this newspaper article:
www.jamaicaobserver.com/entertainment/Joe-Isaacs-to-be-la....