2007 Lineup
| FRIDAY JUNE 22, 2007 | |
| 11:30am Gypsi Fari Trio Originally formed in 1977 by current members Vincent Huckaby (bass), Floyid Donaldson (percusionist) and Leroy Webster (lead vocals), David Smith " D ruff 1 " joined in 1997 , ( drums) and Elmo Preston ( guitarist ) " guitar killer " joined in 2001. 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" artist." | |
| 5:00pm Gypsi Fari Trio Featuring Fada Wayne Fada Wayne began taking center stage as a dynamic vocalist at the age of ten in his Jamaican home. Working for several years with diverse bands in Indiana, he broke out on his own in 1998. He excites the crowd with dancehall, roots, and hip-hop styles. |  |
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6:45pm Stash Recent accomplishments include:
Stash will blow your mind! Fresh, danceable, fun, melodic reggae and hip-hop/funk with crisply-delivered rhymes and sharp musicianship to match. If you're not on the dance floor halfway through the first song of the set, you're not alive. The members of Stash have worked and shared stages with many varied acts, some of which are Micheal Winslow, Hush, Black Magic Crossing, Sponge, Thornetta Davis, Atomic Fireballs, Kid Rock, Howling Diablos, The Articles, 40oz DICK, Uncle Cracker, Groove Collection, members of George Clinton's P-Funk Allstars and many more. Stash has been performing to excited audiences in the Midwest; Chicago, Detroit, Kalamazoo, Lansing, and Flint. They are currently planning on travel to Florida, Arizona, Colorado, Texas, and California in the Spring. Location: Detroit: Michigan |
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8:15pm Jus Goodie Jus Goodie has been playing consistently in the Mountain regions for the last 5 years and recognized as a top Reggae act this side of the Mississippi. They have toured with the legendary Sugar Minot, played many national festivals and have had the chance to open for Culture, Sister Carol, Sizzla, Damion Marley, Matisyahu, Luciano, and Burning Spear to name a few. The vocal qualities are what set this band aside from all the rest, complete with 2 amazing female backup vocalists and the incredible energy and catchy sound of lead singer, Jus Goodie, this band rocks any house and keeps people on their feet all night long! |
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| 10:00pm Jamaican Reggae Legend Winston Jarrett Winston "Flames" Jarrett, one of reggae music's true pioneers, has witnessed Jamaica's music transform from the ska explosion of the early 60's through the vibrant periods of rock steady and reggae. Not content to merely watch this musical revolution, Jarrett proceeded to form one of Jamaica's most popular groups, Alton Ellis and the Flames. In the early 1970's Jarrett recorded over a hundred songs under his own name and pseudonyms released both in Jamaica and England, working with Joe Gibbs, Lee Scratch Perry and Duke Reid. Jarrett's music has been released under the name Righteous Holmes, the Soul Stars, T-Man and the T-Bones, Adam and Eve, as well as his own labels, Attra, and Human Rights and Humble . . . In 1997, Winston made his first visit to America, where he made a strong impression on local reggae audiences in a series of guest appearances. On stage, 'Flames' projects the confidence and authority of a veteran reggae soldier. |  |
| 12:00am Zion Lion Zion Lion Reggae Band is the "baddest" band to hit Kalamazoo. Zion Lion is a combination of several bands from the Kalamazoo area who crossed each others path along the way and decided to form what we believe to be the right mix of reggae, zouk, soukous, and afo-latin influences. Nathan Ndjiharine (guitar and vocals) grew up under Apartheid rule during Namibia's occupation by South Africa. During this time, he was influenced very heavily by Bob Marley's music and the positive message of liberating Africa from the colonial powers and saw reggae as the music for the liberation struggle. Nathan began playing guitar at the early age of 12 and played in several bands in Namibia with home-town friends as well as other musicians from South Africa. In New York, during the 80's and early 90's Ndjiharine joined Yelling Beat and Global Warming world beat bands and played the local club circuit. He is also a founding member of Yoroka, a West Michigan world beat music group. In addition to African musicians such as Diblo Dibala, Nene Chakou, and Jackson Kaujeus, Ndjiharine is influenced by American classic rock and soul as well as Motown, Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, Bunny Wailer, and Burning Spear. Spinning Between Sets DJ Assane |  |
| SATURDAY JUNE 23, 2007 | |
| 11:30am Gypsi Fari Trio Originally formed in 1977 by current members Vincent Huckaby (bass), Floyid Donaldson (percusionist) and Leroy Webster (lead vocals), David Smith " D ruff 1 " joined in 1997 , ( drums) and Elmo Preston ( guitarist ) " guitar killer " joined in 2001. 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" artist." | |
| 2:00pm Family Workshop With Dunuya Drum and Dance Troupe Dunuya Drum and Dance is a multicultural ensemble dedicated to fostering community spirit through the rhythms, music, and dance of West Africa and the Diaspora. Dunuya was formed in Kalamazoo in 2005 by core members/percussionists Calvin "Shangojinmi" Ruff and Carolyn Koebel, and now includes dancers Heather and Kama Mitchell, as well as guest artists. Musical journeys encompass Belize, Cuba, Brazil, Haiti, West African traditions, and original material. An Island Festival tradition, kids bring your parents and participate in this informative and interactive workshop with some the extremely talented dance troupe located right here in Kalamazoo! |  |
| 4:00pm Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad is relentless reggae sound. Roots reggae and experimental dub. North American International Body Music. From New York City to Washington DC; throughout New England, Pennsylvania, Virginia, New Jersey, and Delaware; through the Midwest, Colorado, Omaha and everywhere else - Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad is bringing heavy vibration to well pleased rooms. In music halls, schools, bar rooms, and basements... indoors & outdoors, night & day, GPGDS is performing original music for all to find ground in. Giant Panda’s explosive live show and impeccable musicianship are a force to be reckoned with. Consistently rewarding weekly events hosted by GPGDS have helped the band earn a strong following. Giant Panda continues to put on concerts in their hometown of Rochester, NY featuring modern American powerhouses, Dub Trio, Toubab Krewe, & others. Giant Panda is honored to have shared bills with reggae greats The Wailers and The Meditations. GPGDS have been joined on stage by members of John Brown’s Body, Umphrey's McGee, String Cheese Incident, as well as Lou Lou from Thievery Corporation with whom the band also has a side project called Sharp Sword. The band’s first record Slow Down, was recorded at Ithaca, NY's legendary Pyramid Sound Studio. Featuring Nate Richardson (formerly of John Brown's Body, Sim Redmond Band) on keyboards, "The album's 12 cuts work on a nearly physiological level to calm you down and cheer you up" says Tim Karan of Rochester Insider. Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad is James Searl, Matthew O'Brian, Christopher O'Brian, Rachel Orke, Dylan Savage, Buddy Honeycutt, and Aaron Lipp. Travelling with the group in early 2007 are Josh Williams (video artist), and Michael Matties (live sound/recording engineer). | |
| 6:00pm The Afromotive A thundering 10-piece ensemble from Asheville, NC, hot off their SELL OUT performance at THE ORANE PEEL on Dec 31, 2006. The Afromotive is escorting Afrobeat music into the modern age and taking the dance floor with them. Having created an enormous buzz in the Southeast, thanks to major performances at Smilefest 2006, Lake Eden Arts Festival, high profile opening slots for Spearhead, Cyro Baptista, the Chicago Afrobeat Project, and a guest appearance by Erykah Badu. The Afromotive are taking their high energy, multicultural musical experience on the road. Fueled by a three-piece horn section and an unstoppable rhythm section, The Afromotive's musical dance excursions are steered by bandleader Kevin Meyame. Originally from Cote D'Ivoire, West Africa, Kevin has performed throughout West Africa and France with drum and dance troupe Tanably. Singing in French, English, and his native language of Baoule, as well as providing polyrhythms on djembe, Kevin adds an authentically African flavor to their nu-afrobeat sound. The combination of Kevins cultural and musical background along with the jazz and classically trained musicians of The Afromotive has created a synthesized sound that crosses musical and ethnic boundaries. The Afromotive roll into town on their latest tour and aim to please. If you are without dance shoes, sneakers will do. |  |
| 8:45pm Mystic Roots Band WINNER of the 2005 Los Angeles Music Award for Best Pop/Reggae Album, Mystic Roots Band is serving up an original style based in reggae, hip-hop, and dancehall, with overtones of rock, funk, and ska. MRB is consistently placed at the top of playlists by DJs & listeners of all musical genres. MRB's own national primetime TV special on TLC reached half a million viewers. This Chico-born, now San Diego based group embraces the nature of roots reggae wholeheartedly and perform it confidently. The list of bands that they have shared the stage with reads like a "who's who" of reggae music, including The Wailers, Pato Banton, Gregory Isaacs, Jimmy Cliff, as well as Jurassic 5, Long Beach Dub All Stars, Sir Mix-a-Lot, Ozomatli, and Digital Underground to name just a few. Having independently sold close to 10,000 albums, topping Amazon.com's chart of independent artist sales, and killing music download sites with their underground hit "Pass" (go check for yourself right now!), it's no wonder why Mystic Roots Band was recently voted #1 band in Playboy Magazine's #1 party college town, Chico California, and was TOP RANKED in both Reggae and Hip-Hop categories on myspace.com with over 30 million members for over six months - and still going strong. Fans describe MRB's style as a unique combination of No Doubt, Sublime, The Police, Sean Paul, The Fugees and Cypress Hill with the spirit and consciousness of Bob Marley and Spearhead. This diverse sound enables MRB to continually produce dynamic, cutting edge songs that fans are immediately drawn to. When coming to an MRB concert you are guaranteed more than just music for your ears, but rather a high-energy and powerful experience you'll never forget. |  |
| 10:00pm Pato Banton & The Mystic Roots Band A Pato Banton concert is an event not to be missed and an experience not to be forgotten. Positive Vibrations abound with a beat to keep you on your dancing feet, while Pato delivers a message that is food for the mind and soul. Many have considered his charismatic performance as live theatre where no show is alike and audience members become participants in the experience. Pato dialogues with the crowd on a range of topics including current day events and spiritual freedom while keeping the vibes upbeat and fun! The direction of the concert is totally based on the feedback Pato receives from the audience as there is no fixed set list. Many have said that the positivity generated from the stage has changed their lives forever. Sometimes Pato invites his fans to join him in a prayer circle after the show, where some have cried while sharing their stories of contemplated suicide, isolation after losing a loved one, struggles with substance abuse and how their personal connection with Pato has given them the strength to “Stay Positive” & “Never Give In.” The following Pato Banton story charts his rise from the most disadvantaged of circumstances in his youth, through a long and successful career as a world renowned reggae legend, back to his roots with a commitment to work for the benefit of young people in his community, and finally on a mission to spread the “Good News” & “Positive Vibrations” to the “Now Generation”. |  |
| 12:00am Mystic Rebel-Celebrating Bob Marley and The Wailers Mystic Rebel is a soul shakedown family, performing an amazingly accurate and compelling live tribute to Reggae music and the forefathers of the genre, Bob Marley ,Peter Tosh and the Wailers. The PA based band has become one of the most talked about and sought after live tribute acts on the East Coast. The group has a unique ability and desire to recreate the Trenchtown sound and experience, with an exciting show that features actual setlist replays, performances of classic albums in entirety, with a level of musical authenticity and attention to detail that has quickly put them in a league with other touring tributes such as Phix (Phish), Dark Star Orchestra (Grateful Dead) The Machine (Pink Floyd) and Badfish (Sublime). Their energetic show is no lookalike novelty act, but rather an extremely soulful and talented group of singers and musicians that play classic Reggae from the heart. The live group, which began as simple Wailer worship has, in a short time grown into a powerful unit that features superb singing,deep grroves , drum chants, an inspiring Rock Steady feel,and a highly visible family vibration . ------- Online magazine Merge Digital.com, who reviewed the 2006 Bethlehem Musikfest voted Mystic Rebel Top Ten "Best of the Fest" list and said, "...the vocals were dead on." The Woodstock Times said "...there are times when only a smokin' cover band quenches your thirst ... Mystic Rebel is one...". The Wilkes-Barre Weekender commented "...you won't want to miss this show mon." Online reviewer Judianne Triglia called them "...the perfect combination of mellow and funky...they made me want to dance, smoke and sleep at the same time. And they didn't play the usual Marley best-ofs, but really got into to some great lesser known material. The crowd loved them." The band has recently appeared with Jah Works, John Brown's Body, The Meditations, The Itals, Moses Livingston, Berklee Bob Marley Ensemble, Ras Attitude, Batch, Jah Cutta, Spiritual Rez, Ihi Yahn Ihi Arkestra and many more------The key ingredients ...the musicians, all sharing a deep love and respect for Reggae, family style teamwork adventure, with a strong commitment to spiritual livity and keeping with the oneness that exists in the mystic messages contained within the Wailers music and lyrics. The word is out... Mystic Rebel is the next big tribute thing.---------- ----This is a solid group with real depth and style, evident in any of the many dub jams that occur inside classic songs like "Rebel Music", "Positive Vibration" and "Want More." With vocal and musical freedom to interpret the material, Mystic Rebel often surprise with unique arrangements. From crowd pleaser sing-alongs like "Redemption Song" and "Kinky Reggae" to classic Tosh songs "African" and "Equal Rights "to older favorites like "Small Axe" "Mellow Mood" and "Caution" they always deliver. This is a show that will leave you smiling, dancing, singing and shouting out for your favorite songs, breathless with Irie. |  |
| Spinning Between Sets DJ African Teacher REGGAE STREET WSND 88.9 FM - South Bend The African Teacher & Jah Dave @ the Controls Saturday 10 PM - Midnight |