Florida’s new premier music festival DubFest is about to set fire on the festival scene featuring artists like Bunny Wailer and Lee “Scratch” Perry that span the generations of Reggae, ska and alternative music. DubFest hits Hollywood ArtsPark in downtown Hollywood, FL on Saturday, September 5, 2009. “The one day music and arts event marks a celebration of the beach and ocean culture that South Florida has been waiting for,” said Jesse Stoll, AEG Live operations coordinator. Continue reading DubFest is Coming→
PREMIERE IN THE UNITED STATES AT THE ADRIENNE ARSHT CENTER OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY
DIRECT FROM LONDON’S WEST END, THE MUSICAL BASED ON THE 1970’S CULT FILM THAT TRANSFORMED REGGAE MUSIC AND SINGER JIMMY CLIFF INTO INTERNATIONAL SENSATIONS
August 29 – September 13 – Sanford and Dolores Ziff Ballet Opera House Continue reading The Harder They Come Musical→
Gregory Isaacs, John Holt and Frankie Paul – Classic Reggae!
Great Vocalists Rule at the Jamaica Vintage Independence Celebration
Review by M. Peggy Quattro
Photos by Lynn Dearing and M. Peggy Quattro
Photo M. Peggy Quattro
Ft. Lauderdale, FL – The Jamaica Vintage Music Fest is becoming one of the must-see shows in South Florida. In celebration of Jamaica’s Independence, a group of the island’s finest singers came together for a night of true niceness.
Blazed and Confused at the Santa Barbara County Bowl
Words and photos by Jan Salzman
July 12 was a very hot, triple digit day in the San Fernando Valley and a trip up the coast to The Santa Barbara Bowl was a promising adventure The day’s show included MickeyAvalon, a white rapper with very explicit lyrics, the very conscious Stephen Marley, famed rapper Snoop Dog, and Southern California’s own Slightly Stoopid. This was the “Blazed and Confused Tour” and whether they were “blazed” or not, there was some fabulous music being played.
Stephen Marley bounded onstage, with his young son as the flag bearer flashing the colors of Rastafari, to his father’s song “Punky Reggae Party.” His next two songs from his Grammy-winning album were “Chase Dem” and the title track “Mind Control.” His high pitched, rough voice thrilled the crowd with every note. Steve often pointed the microphone to the packed audience to let them fill in the lyrics to his songs. Sometimes he played guitar, sometimes he took it off to grab the mic and reach closer to his audience. He was joined onstage by Spragga Benz for the chat in “Iron Bars” and Julian Marley also passed through for several songs, including the closing, with the Bob Marley classic, “Could You Be Loved.” Continue reading Stephen Marley in Santa Barbara→
Alborosie’s second album is a more mature and evenly paced affair than his limited edition 2008 debut Soul Pirate. This time he’s releasing through Greensleeves – complete with their vintage mural style artwork – and there is a noticeable classic Greensleeves/Roots Radics feel to songs such as the dreamy, slightly sexist “Good Girl,” and “Can’t Stand It” (featuring a Dennis Brown sample from his Joe Gibbs hit.) Continue reading Alborosie→
Live at the Santa Barbara Bowl
Words and photos by Jan Salzman
Ziggy Marley on tour with 311
This particular concert had been building interest since it was announced. Because I knew it was going to be a must-see event, I asked for my passes early on and looked forward to a day trip to beautiful Santa Barbara! There were a few bursts of rain on the way there… but once I reached Santa Barbara the sun broke through the clouds and shone brightly on the Santa Barbara Bowl. I was ready for a Marley vibe to bring the light and I found it!
Although 311 is a huge rock band, it was Ziggy Marley I was there to see, having missed witnessing his performances with a full band. The packed Santa Barbara Bowl exploded with joy when Ziggy took to the stage for a sold-out performance. Continue reading Ziggy at Santa Barbara Bowl→
The day’s show included MickeyAvalon, a white rapper with very explicit lyrics, the very conscious Stephen Marley, famed rapper Snoop Dog, and Southern California’s own Slightly Stoopid. This was the “Blazed and Confused Tour” and whether they were “blazed” or not, there was some fabulous music being played.
