Kay Morris
Inspiring Singer and Humanitarian

By Kerry Doole

Kay Morris is indeed a woman of many talents. Hailed as Canada's Queen of reggae gospel, she is an award-winning singer.songwriter, producer, fashion designer and a true humanitarian.

She was born in Jamaica, the daughter of two Pentecostal Minister parents, and her vocal ability was apparent at a very early age. Kay began singing at age four, and ever since has used music to help spread her message of faith and hope.

After emigrating to Canada, she launched her professional music career, with her group, Kay Morris & The Jewels, releasing their debut album, Live Again, in 1996. Featuring some of her original compositions, it came out on her own label, Jewels Records.
The disc helped Kay earn the 1996 Canadian Reggae Music Award for Top Female Newcomer, and a subsequent tour of Jamaica included an appearance in front of 6,000 people at Jamaica’s Independence Gospel Celebration.

The group also performed in Manitoba, helping provide relief for victims of the Red River Flood. A second album, 1999's Armageddon, was even more warmly - received, notching impressive international airplay, and spawning a hit single in "Pray A Prayer For Me." Morris came up with another winning album in 2004, with Unite.

A powerful performer, Kay has performed at churched, festivals and concerts venues in Canada, the U.S., Jamaica and other Caribbean countries, the U.K., and Africa. She has shared stages with such famed artists as Kirk Franklin, James Hall, Fred Hammond, and Jessie Dixon, and has won numerous Canadian Reggae Music Awards as Top Femal Reggae Gospel Artist.

More important than industry accolades to Kay Morris is her work for the Kay Morris Foundation. She established this non-profit organization in Ghana and Canada in November 2003, and it works to assist orphans and people living with HIV/AIDS and malaria. She established a Kay Morris Apparel line of African-themed clothing, with proceeds going to outreach projects linked to the United Nations High Commission for Refugees.

She takes a hands-on approach, visiting orphanages in Ghana and Nigeria, donating medicine to UNHCR Refugee camps, and giving inspirational performances.

She is an inspiring singer and human being, and her upcoming appearance at the IRIE Festival is keenly anticipated.