Pato Banton & The Now Generation
He’s Back! After the 2010 thunder and lightning storms allowed them to play only four songs, Pato Banton & The Now Generation are coming back to Ya Maka My Weekend to finish their set!
If you haven’t seen him perform, a Pato Banton concert is an event not to be missed and an experience you won’t forget.
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 “live theatre” where no show is alike and audience members become participants in the experience. Pato talks with the crowd on a range of topics including current day events and spiritual freedom while keeping the vibe 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. Pato has given them the strength to “Stay Positive” & “Never Give In.” www.patobanton.com
Ifficial Reggae Movement
The Ifficial Reggae Movement is a stand out musical group. With their explosive style and mesmerizing “riddims” it’s no wonder the band members always sport a smile on stage. Ifficial has taken the Chicago Reggae scene by storm! They have already been rocking shows all over the Midwest for years now while creating new and original music. Each of the band’s members brings years of experience to create this extremely energetic and uplifting sound. Look for their newest CD due out in 2011.
Inner Visions
Hailing from St. John, US Virgin Islands, this once hidden treasure, is a family in every sense of the word (two Brothers and two Sons). Yet everyone they encounter is easily welcomed into their family as well. At a time when “Roots Reggae Music” is struggling to keep its identity intact, it is quite refreshing to find this band performing, recording and producing as well as they do. Melodic song writing, impassioned lead vocals and sweet three part harmonies are reminiscent of the best vocal groups of the seventies and indeed, their style bridges the gap between foundation reggae and other genres such as R&B, and rock.
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Kenyatta Hill
Kenyatta Hill’s career began the day his father’s ended. Joseph Hill, singer and songwriter for the legendary Jamaican vocal trio Culture, collapsed and died while on a 2006 tour of Europe. To the amazement of promoters, fans and critics alike, Kenyatta stepped onstage and delivered electrifying performances time and again – nineteen shows in all – until the tour was complete. This was unheard of in any genre of music at any time. Kenyatta gave of himself so totally – as his father had for so many years – that the two seemed to become one, the eerily similar voices and the vibes igniting the critics and yielding a new reggae mantra “magic, not tragic!”
With upcoming solo tour dates, Kenyatta Hill expands his musical horizons beyond his formidable roots.
Yard Squad
Over the last 12 years, Yard Squad has been building the muscle to emerge as one of the most distinctly conscious reggae acts in the heartland. Whether opening for internationally acclaimed artists or headlining their own shows, Yard Squad always upholds the ideals of I’N'I when performing.
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The Fiyah
Starting out as just a bunch of kids from Kansas City imitating our favorite bands and basically just goofing off, we didn’t expect to actually become a real band so soon. Our parents booked a lot of major bands (various artists from Culture to Lucky Dube, Black Uhuru to Burning Spear, the list goes on…), we helped with the preparation and sound check, so were exposed to the music from a young age. It was due to the many friends and family urging us on that caused us to take it a little more seriously. I guess it all started at an Ansel Meditations show (if you don’t know who that is, Google the Meditations), during sound check, nobody really knew we could play so it was a little surprise when we got up and jammed. After that we got some words of encouragement from the band and Ansel himself.
It happened again at a Half Pint show, even going as far as to get some quick lessons from the band after the show. Everybody that talked to us said that we were ready. So we started rehearsing some songs for our first gig. Since we didn’t know how to read music,(and still don’t), we had to find all the notes by ear, on top of that, we had just two and a half weeks to come up with a set list; we worked harder than ever before. On our first show we had about 7 songs and were extremely nervous, but hardly anybody showed up so we didn’t embarrass ourselves as much. However, the people that were there seemed to enjoy themselves and complimented us after the performance.
By the fourth gig we had about 20 songs in our repertoire; add some DJ ing to the mix and we had a full show. Our influences span multiple genres (from Ska to Dancehall and Rock to Hip-Hop) with Reggae and Dub at its core and we can pretty much dub any song we get our hands on. Looking forward to our journey. ‘Nuff said.
FireSale
FireSale is an original act out of Davenport, Iowa that mixes Reggae/Dub/Ska/Rock and many other personal influences into their own signature groove. They have been together since 2007 and have made many regional showings playing events and venues such as River Roots Live, Riversance Art Festival, The Redstone Room, The Mill, Palmer College Homecoming, The Iowa Memorial Union, and River Fest. FireSale has shared the stage talented acts such as Mustard Plug, David Zollo & The Body Electric, Vibenhai, Rude Punch, and Matter of Fact.
FireSale continues writing new original material, experimenting with sounds such as keys, trumpets, saxs, and trombones. More new ideas are flowing and the tracks are scheduled to be recorded very soon.
Zion Lion
Zion Lion is the “baddest” band to hit the Kalamazoo music scene. The members are a combination of several bands from the Kalamazoo area that crossed paths along the way and decided to form what we believe to be the right mix of reggae. African zouk, mucosa, zoukous and some Afro-latin influences. Some of the members have had the honor of opening and sharing the stage with local, national and international reggae artists such as Freddie McGreggor, Pato Baton, Winston Jarrett, Culture, Beenie Man, Lucky Dube, Mikey Dread and the Meditations.
These musicians have played in small clubs to large cultural festivals including, the Kalamazoo Island Festival, Kalamazoo Black Arts festival, Grand Rapids Caribbean Festival, Muskegon Summer Festival, Louisville Reggae Festival and Ya Maka My Weekend, to name a few. You can’t help but get up and dance and have an “IRIE FEELIN’ “ whenever you hear Zion Lion. www.zionlionreggaeband.com
Universal Xpression
This marvelous group provides an amazingly energy pumping musical and theatrical treat. Universal Xpression uplifts and captivates its audiences with Caribbean rhythms such as Reggae, soca, zouk, and dance hall music, with an undertone of African, Latin and American Rhythms. Consequently, this rhythmic implementation has created a hypnotic groove and a beautiful sound, with a universal appeal, thus making this group the choice show band.
This awesome six-member group features the talents and creativity of prolific songwriter, arranger and energetic showman Richard ‘Richie B’ Parris on keyboards, lead and background vocals. The amazingly multi-talented crowd mover and impersonator Earl ‘Melloman’ Clark on keyboards, lead and background vocals. The charming and versatile Ten on keyboards, rhythm box lead and background vocals. Keeping the pulse,is the natural and flamboyant Noel Parris on drums.The smooth Oliver “Pluto”Mensah solidifies the foundation with his remarkable feel on the bass. Last but surely not least, on lead and background vocals, adding spice, sweetening the sound, and beautifying the front line is the hot and sexy songstress Kelly Ann Stargell.
Universal Xpression has thrilled thousands all over America, Canada and the Caribbean at numerous venues: High schools, colleges, universities, clubs, festivals, weddings, parades, corporate parties, and parks. In twelve great years the group has built a tremendous fan base which continues to grow with every performance. Seeing Universal Xpression live is an awesome experience, strong and beautiful vocals, sweet harmony, solid and tight groovy music topped off with wonderful showmanship. You are embraced and involved in the mental, physical, educational and emotional awe. Universal Xpression is ultimately satisfying. www.universalxpression.net
DeHurricane
Cleve Hurricane Jean Jacques is a musician by profession. He hales from the island of Dominica in the Caribbean. Hurricane’s musical career began at the tender age of fourteen, when at the time he performed as lead guitarist and vocalist for the Island’s leading band. Then Hurricane continued to develop in strength as a song writer, musical arranger, and entertainer. In 1986, he entered the arena of calypso and for the next fourteen years touched the hearts and lives of people all over the world.
The lyrical vibrations of original hit songs like Sweet Banana, Miracle, Unarmed but Dangerous, and Utility Pressure provoked minds, stirred feelings, and moved the audience to dance and sing along. At competition level, he has been crowned Calypso King three times at the national level in his own country as well as three times Road March King. He was also crowned Caribbean King in 1996 and came seventh in the World Monarch Competition. Hurricane has performed in Europe, Central America, South America, Canada, the United States, and almost all of the Caribbean Islands. Hurricane has opened for or performed along side of Calypso King of the World Mighty Sparrow, Arrow, Ziggy Marley, Shaggy, Luciano, Morgan Heritage, Steel Pulse, and more. Presently, Hurricane resides in Chicago, heading the Hurricane band and performing with some of the most talented professionals in the industry. The band performs as a quartet or an orchestra featuring a brass section or steel pan. Hurricane also performs as a solo artist thrilling audiences with his true musical talent. Prepare to experience a true Caribbean vibe, a total party package with reggae, soca, calypso, a little jazz and blues, and a taste of a real island culture and sound from the Hurricane. www.dehurricanelive.com
Niabinge
The newest band to hit the Chicago area will make a BIG splash in 2011. Made up of long time Chicago Reggae veterans Peter Beaumont founder of the Indika Reggae band and former members of Indika.
Country Panton on bass, Merv Belisle on keyboards and the legendary Rasta Kelly lead vocal. Rasta Kelly has won 8 Chicago Music Awards including 2010′s Best Reggae Performer. Between them they have over 125+ years of experience playing Reggae, Calypso and Soca and numerous music awards.
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The Steel Panthers
The Davenport Community School District received grants to purchase two sets of steel band instruments, or eleven steel drums or “pans.” The sounds of the Caribbean came to Walcott Elementary and Intermediate Schools during the 2010-2011 school year after the instruments were moved from another school within the district. The Elementary band is made up of 3rd-5th grade students and the Intermediate band is made up of 6-8th grade students.
All of the students are involved in a variety of activities in addition to steel band such as band, orchestra, piano, chorus, dance, sports, scouts and musicals. Their director, Monike Hill is a very busy band director but couldn’t say no to this outstanding opportunity. She has performed at many previous Caribbean festivals with combos and the WIU Pan Clan and is excited to help bring this exhilarating music to the Quad Cities.
