Jessie Simmons is an award-winning artist from Ottawa (Canada), celebrated for her soulful voice and unique Afro-Caribbean sound, deeply intertwined with her Haitian heritage. “My sound is a blend of the traditional and modern—rooted in the Afro-Caribbean rhythms I grew up with. Haiti is in every note that I sing, every rhythm I create because all I want to do is showcase the beauty and resilience of Haitian culture to the world,” she says.

 

Her debut album, AMONI (2023), which won Album of the Year at the sixth edition of Kilimanjaro Music Awards in Toronto, firmly established her in the music industry. Her music continues to resonate internationally, with significant radio plays and streams in Canada, France, the United States, and Haiti. “I want my music to be more than just a sound; I want it to leave an imprint, a feeling, and a memory,” she shares. 

 

Simmons has released multiple singles and collaborated with international artists, including Magdala on "Fantasy" (Remix) (2023), Dee End on "Ou pa ta fe'm sa" (2023), Jeff Sanon on "Caresse-moi" (2023) and with J-Ron on "Stranger" (2017). Her work with Jeff Sanon, her sound engineer and frequent collaborator, has been instrumental in shaping her sound. 

 

Active in both the Haitian and Ottawa music communities, Simmons is passionate about bridging cultures and connecting with people through music. “When I am on stage, I am at home. I aim to create an experience that resonates across borders and generations,” she explains. “Music has the power to unite us all, and I want my work to be a reflection of that unity-celebrating diversity while bringing people together through shared emotion and rhythm”.

 

Her performances have graced stages at major events, including the Canadian Music Week Festival in Toronto (2024), Ayiti Deploge in Brooklyn (2024), JunoFest in Halifax (2024), Festival Franco-Ontarien (2024), and AfroFest (2022). She has shared the stage with artists such as 5lan (2019) King Cruff (2024), Alan Cave (2017 and 2024), Oli Duret (2023), Kelly Krow (2023), Cruz La (2024) and Tony Mix (2024). 

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Simmons’ career accolades include nominations for Solo Artist of the Year at the Souper des Entrepreneurs in Montreal and the Capital Music Awards (2024), Artist of the Year at the FACES Magazine Awards (2024), and Best Female Voice at the Kilimanjaro Awards (2023). Her single "For You” (2023), featuring DJ Velvet, was nominated for Song of the Year at Cranium Arts Project’s Recognize Awards (2023). She was honored as Emerging Artist of the Year by the Haitian Ottawa-Gatineau Community (2022), and her single “Wisdom” won Song of the Year at RNB Canada (2021).

 

In addition to her music, Simmons is dedicated to giving back to the community that shaped her. In 2023, she began mentoring young black women in Ottawa entering the music industry. Currently working with three artists, she focuses on project management, artist development, and performance coaching.