Brampton’s Denise Jones remembered for her dedication to Canada’s music industry

A Brampton business leader who was a driving force in the Canadian entertainment industry has died.

Denise Jones, who through her company Jones & Jones Productions promoted events and helped artists reach a broader audience, died December 3 after a lengthy illness. She was 64.

Jones was a founder of JAMBANA One World Festival, one of the largest Afrocentric cultural events in the country, and she was also the first Chair of the Reggae Category of the JUNO Awards, the national ceremony that honours those in Canada’s music industry.

Her list of accomplishments is lengthy, but highlights include gold and platinum records as well as JUNO Awards for contributions to the Canadian music earned through her company’s dedication to the artists who came under her guidance. Jones was also a recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Urban Music Association of Canada and most recently a Harry Jerome Award for Excellence in Entertainment.

Locally, Jones was a long-time member of the Brampton Board of Trade (BBOT) where she served two terms as a director and was actively involved in BBOT’s membership and diversity committee. Denise was also a member of Jamaica Diaspora Canada Foundation and sat on the board of Helping Hands Jamaica Foundation of Canada.
She is survived by her husband Allan, her mother Louise, and sons Jesse and Jerimi.

Shocked and saddened to hear that Denise Jones, one of the most tireless advocates of reggae in this city and country, has gone to the great spirit in the sky.#RIPDeniseJones pic.twitter.com/Il3CrhPQPH

— Errol Nazareth (@ErrolNazareth) December 5, 2020