The steel pan originated in the islands of Trinidad and Tobago in the 1930's. Since the 1880's, the colonists had tried to suppress and outlaw the rhythmic drums of the African natives, fearing riots and uprising. However, when their drums and Tamboo Bamboo were taken away, the natives simply found other "instruments" to play. These instruments ranged from old car parts, to dust bins, to garbage can lids, and even empty oil barrels (from the U.S. Navy bases on the islands).

       In the 1930's, it was discovered that notes could be produced by denting the oil barrels. Elle Manette, a drum maker still active, was one of the first to dish out the pan and tune it to produce several notes.  Many pan makers began to experiment and soon large neighborhood groups were formed to play music on the pans. By the late forties, the oil drums had become the instrument of choice and the annual festival of "Carnival" was filled with large performing groups competing as steel bands.

       Today, steel drums are used around the world as a solo instrument and together as bands of three to hundreds. All types of music can be played on the steel drum. They will often be heard in reggae, soca, ska, and calypso music, but can also be found in many popular recordings and even classical.

Originally formed in 1977 by current members Vincent Huckaby (bass) and Leroy Webster (lead vocals), The Gypsi Fari Band has traveled the world and recorded at Tuff Gong Studios in Kingston, with legendary Bob Marley and the Wailers.
Receiving the kind of acclaim in Jamaica usually reserved for only the best "home grown" bands, Gypsi Fari also toured with top-flight bands such as Steel Pulse, Third World, Culture, Bearing Spear and Gil-Scott Heron.

"Perhaps the best raggae band or best all around band in Chicago today is the combined West Indian-American Gypsy Fari."
- Jamaican Weekly Gleaner

Gypsi Fari Website

Yabba On the Web

To learn more about the Jah Kings Movement and how you can get involved, read the Jah Kings' Message . The Jah Kings are always in the midst of great changes. The Process of connecting technology with spirituality, entertainment with love, and business with humanity is a long and hilly path with many crossroads. Jah's Kings and Queens will emerge strong and wise, are you ready to begin?

Jah Kings Website

Inner Visions Website

For several months now, they have not only been touring the Islands and performing at Fundraising events.  They have also, been working diligently on a soon to be released compilation CD - titled "Street Corner Musicians," what a monumental task; they certainly have had a lot on their plates, all in the name of Reggae. With that being said, if you loved the Roots Reggae of the 70's, if you were amazed at the Roots Reggae of the 80's and 90's, well, I'm here to tell you in 2003 you will be astonished. Inner Visions will take you on a Conscious Reggae journey of the yester years, bringing you forward to the present 2003, with new vibes, holding tight and true to the Message that is in the Music Reggae!

Inner Visions consist of the senior Pickering brothers, Philip "Grasshopper " Pickering, Lead Guitar and Lead vocals, Jupiter Pickering, Bass and Backing vocals, Ras Paul Samms, Lead vocals, Percussion's (he is known internationally as Mr. Percussionist).  The Players; their backing band, consist of Leroy "Spikie" Guiste on Lead Keyboards and the new additions the Jr. Pickering brothers, Aswad on drums and Akiba on rhythm keyboards.  This is definitely the group to watch.  Inner Visions continue to remain true to the Roots of Reggae, which has garnered them the title of The Caribbean Masters of Reggae and to others, Reggae Warrior Kings. 

STAGALAG band members are veterans of Ohio reggae scene and their music activity could be traced back to The Ark Band (Columbus), Champion Bubblers (Cleveland), Flex Crew (Columbus), The Yard Hustlers (Columbus) and other area groups.

STAGALAG brings the contemporary up-tempo reggae music, with flavors of dancehall, hip-hop as well as sounds of roots reggae & lovers rock. The band's firm rhythm section provides a solid foundation for joyous vocal harmonies.

STAGALAG Reggae Band is a full-time working band performing well over 200 live shows per year!

Stagalag Website

 The steel pan originated in the islands of Trinidad and Tobago in the 1930's. Since the 1880's, the colonists had tried to suppress and outlaw the rhythmic drums of the African natives, fearing riots and uprising. However, when their drums and Tamboo Bamboo were taken away, the natives simply found other "instruments" to play. These instruments ranged from old car parts, to dust bins, to garbage can lids, and even empty oil barrels (from the U.S. Navy bases on the islands).

       In the 1930's, it was discovered that notes could be produced by denting the oil barrels. Elle Manette, a drum maker still active, was one of the first to dish out the pan and tune it to produce several notes.  Many pan makers began to experiment and soon large neighborhood groups were formed to play music on the pans. By the late forties, the oil drums had become the instrument of choice and the annual festival of "Carnival" was filled with large performing groups competing as steel bands.

       Today, steel drums are used around the world as a solo instrument and together as bands of three to hundreds. All types of music can be played on the steel drum. They will often be heard in reggae, soca, ska, and calypso music, but can also be found in many popular recordings and even classical.

Carolyn has been hosting community drumming events at the Kraftbrau in Kalamazoo on 1st and 3rd Wednesdays for the past 3 years. She performs regionally, nationally, and internationally with the Skin-tones, Blue Dahlia (www.blue-dahlia.com), Fonnmhor (www.fonnmhor.com), and Rhonda Larson and Ventus (www.rhondalarson.com).

For the past few years, Carolyn has been presenting children's interactive multicultural music events at libraries throughout Michigan. She offers national training workshops for the American Music Therapy Association on the therapeutic uses of drumming, in conjunction with functional skill development. 

She works adjunctly in the music therapy program at Western Michigan University, while serving as a contractual music therapist at Lakeside Treatment and Learning Center, and the Clinton County RESA.

The drumming event will cover beginner's technique, learning rhythms in the voice and body, call/response drumming, and a final circle jam. All levels are welcome, come ready to support the groove and share your energy!

Indika Website

Michael first appeared in Kalamazoo at Island Festival 2001, his inspired performance is not to be missed!

A 20-year veteran of the Chicago music scene, Aswah is an artist who has paid his dues and earned his place. With his Chicago-based band, the Enforcers, Aswah has emerged as a local favorite booked with international bands on tour in the Windy City including Steel Pulse, Wailing Souls, Burning Spear, Yellowman, Israel Vibration Maxi Priest, Third World, Toots and the Maytals and Pato Banton.

Off stage, Aswah is a man of few words -always humble, usually humorous, very subtle. His personal story is as inspiring as his lyrics and music. Born in Louisiana in 1946, Aswah came to Chicago after his Viet Nam experience to find work "somewhere other than the lumber mills" of Louisiana. In 1971, a serious industrial accident, which severed his right arm, also changed his life forever. After surviving not only the accident but also the grueling arm re-attachment surgeries and therapy which followed, Aswah emerged with a new sense of purpose leading him into a full-time music career. Spiritually guided and unencumbered by traditional definitions of success ("Material possessions won't save you, only bring aggression, enslave you", he sings in 'Save You From Yourself', Aswah's message is man's healing from violence, drugs, hatred and jealousy. The music is his medium.

From a musical standpoint, 'Save You From Yourself' mixes roots reggae with rock steady rhythms nicely. The title track, 'Fools & Rebels', causes the listener to reflect on how many of us fight with one another, when what we really need is tolerance and love for one another. The drums and horns give this song an up-to-date sound while remaining true to a roots and culture message. Aswah's versatility is evident on, 'This Train', an upbeat dancehall style track. It is refreshing to hear a spiritual teaching in this style of music. The echo of the train horn calls all of us to get on board God's plan for salvation and freedom. Aswah's voice is mesmerizing in all tracks, causing us to feel the lyrics deeply.

Like many emerging artists, Aswah sits patiently on scores of unpublished work, confident that when the time is right, Jah will make it happen. With the release of 'Fools & Rebels', it appears the time is right.

The Meditations
formed - 1975
(Kingston, Jamaica)

Ansel Cridland - Danny Clarke - Winston Watson

The Meditations first formed as a group in the mid-seventies following the breakup of the Linkers. Led by Ansel Cridland, The Linkers had made a series of recordings in the late sixties, including the classic, "Nyah Man Story." About 1971, Danny Clarke and Winston Watson recorded several titles for Lee Perry's Upsetter label individually and as the duo, 'Flames.' Ansel and Danny first began working together informally about 1972, with Winston joining them soon after. Inspired by a love of the Impressions, the group began to develop a vocal blend that would bring them international respect.

The Meditations cut a number of important 45s for producers in Jamaica as early as 1974. However, a series of recordings for Federal Records in the mid-seventies led to the release of the group's first album, "Message From The Meditations," in 1976 and a second, "Wake Up," in 1977. Rightly regarded as classics today, these two albums established the Meditations as one of reggae finest vocal groups. These seminal recordings opened the door to live appearances in the US and Bermuda in 1977, and brought them to the attention of Bob Marley.

The Meditations began working full time as Marley's harmony trio, recording with producer Lee Perry. Together they recorded the classics "Rastaman Live Up," "Blackman Redemption" and "Punky Reggae Party." In April 1978, the Meditations opened the historic One Love Peace Concert for Marley, at the National Stadium in Kingston. They also released singles that year on Marley's Tuff Gong label and Perry's Black Art label in Jamaica. In 1979, they began to work on the album "Guidance," with the Wailers for Island Records. However, that agreement was never signed and today that album can be heard on "Reggae Crazy," (Nighthawk CD-317). 'Reggae Crazy' anthologizes fifteen Meditations titles from 1971- 1979, selected by Ansel Cridland for this CD.

Throughout the eighties, the Meditations continued to record and perform. They released the album "No More Friend" in 1983, on Greensleeves Records, and a Greatest Hits package in 1984 for Shanachie. In 1988, Heartbeat released "For The Good Of Man," an album of new recordings and in 1994 that label issued "Deeper Roots – The Best of The Meditations," collecting titles from the first two albums on CD.

Of all the groups that came out of the fertile seventies reggae-scene in Jamaica, the Meditations, perhaps more than any other group, set the standard for sheer vocal virtuosity. Each is an experienced lead singer having performed and recorded as soloists and in other groups, throughout the decades since the sixties. The group survived a breakup in the mid-eighties and went on to reunite in 1993, when they recorded "Return Of The Meditations."

World Beat Fusion.  Afro Pop.  Party music.  Dance groove. Island vibes.  yoroka’s music is as easy to move to as it is difficult to label or categorize, but the Namibian word that is their name says it all loud and clear: Get happy, be happy, and stay happy. The music makes it happen, and everyone who’s ever experienced yoroka live knows their sound takes the meaning of their name literally.

distilled through a sonic filter of Funk,  Reggae, Jazz, Rock, and Afro-Cuban influences. 

Equally comfortable dishing out long jams and medleys ideal for the trance dance party vibe or laying down tightly orchestrated Island Music and Reggae tunes, yoroka has gone on to win awards, release a self titled CD, record live, and please crowds at festivals, clubs and bars throughout the Midwest. 

Those looking for original music played with the passion of accomplished, experienced musicians who are in it for the love and the people’s positive reaction know exactly where they can find it:  On the dance floor with yoroka.

Yoroka Website