The 22nd UCLA Jazz-Reggae Festival ‘08
A Weekend of Peace, Love, and Music
Review and Photos by Jan Salzman
Reggae Day – May 26
June 1, 2008 – Los Angeles, CA – It was a beautiful Southern California afternoon–the temperature in the 70s, the warm sun shining and cool Pacific Ocean breezes filled the air. The Intramural Field at UCLA was filling up with blankets, drawn by the inviting aroma from the great food booths that surrounded this diver – se collection of fans. One of the largest student-run events in the country, the annual JazzReggae fest regularly sees tens of thousands flock to its Memorial Day weekend celebration.
Monday was Reggae Day, and first up on the main stage was Rebelution, who kicked off the day to a rocking Reggae riddim. With the crowd warmed up, fans were ready for Pangea Collective, a band that features Baba Ken Okulolo, from King Sunny Ade’s band, on bass and vocals, and Soji Odukogbe, guitar and vocals, from Fela Kuti’s band. Pangea Collective is huge group, with lots of percussion and a full horn section. They offer a wonderful blend of African rhythms with a jazzy overtone. The band, themselves dressed colorfully, brought out three very African-decorated and beautiful women to shake it up – and had the crowd doing so, too! Continue reading