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Note: A complete list of participating Artists and Entertainers for 2008 is still being up-loaded
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| Rootz
Underground - Reggae |
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Many influences have borne their 'rootz,' including their homeland Jamaica - birthplace of Rastafari and other radical movements, JAH - creator of all things, family, the earth in all its glory, the revolutionary 70's, dub and roots reggae music.
The revolution that is Rootz Underground began in 2000 when the band members, whose lives had crossed paths sometime or another from childhood, linked their individual musical talents in search of forming one solid unit. Individually each had begun on a road of truth seeking, of naturalism, of reverence to the Most High. Collectively then, their union affirms an aim of bringing a JAH-inspired message to the masses. And the revolution continues...
Though Rootz Underground has only just begun digging their 'rootz' in the industry, the band's old soul has already effortlessly enlisted a core of followers - some who already saw the world through like eyes and are glad to hear such sounds of social commentary and life/love lessons on stage; others, simply just converts. Whatever it may be, Rootz Underground is one of few of Jamaica's younger bands whose shows are almost always filled to capacity, whose fans will even cross the island to take in the positive vibrations.
The band envisages the future free from the shackles of Babylon - liberated from the 9-5, taking the Rootz
Underground message far and wide as their sole life's work. As they say, prayer and hard work reaps rewards - Their journey has only just begun. Many firsts smile at Rootz Underground from the horizon as their talent shines through and is increasingly recognized in the music business locally and internationally.
And the revolution continues...
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| Third
World Band - Reggae |
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After
33 years of smash hit songs,
sold - out tours and inspirational
messages, one may wonder, "Where
did it all begin? What gives
Third World the staying power
so rare in the music industry?"
Third World is more than just
one of the top Reggae bands
of all time, it is an institution.
An institution that stands for
producing and performing music
that, while holding firm to
the cultural and ancestral roots
of it's members, still pushes
forward the cutting edge of
music worldwide. It is an institution
whose themes are positive, progressive
and internationally relevant.
Formed
in 1973, Third World is committed
to the excellence of reggae
music by combining Jamaican
Reggae and Folk music with
all strains of African Rhythms,
American Pop, Rhythm &
Blues, Rap and Classical music.
Third World is one of the
longest running and most diverse
bands Jamaica has ever produced.
Born
out of a drive to write and
perform original material
incorporating reggae, rock
and funk, and a desire to
tour and take music to a wider
audience, Third World was
conceived.
www.thirdworldband.com
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SlinAlphonsus
“Arrow” Cassell
MBE was born on the lush green
Caribbean island of Montserrat.
Today Arrow is an international
recording artist recognized
globally as the “King
of Soca” His songs flavour
movie soundtracks and enhance
products in advertisements;
His music has led him to share
the stage with the likes of
Don Henley, Celine Deon, Joe
Cocker and James Brown. Arrow
is indeed a superstar in his
own right
Arrows reputation as the “party
man” of Caribbean music
grew with his sound. But it
was in with the release of
“Hot, Hot Hot”
things went into over drive.
The song tore though the Caribbean
and had the whole region jumping.
The Soca King had arrived
and the party was on. “Hot,
Hot Hot” would go on
to sell over 4 million plus
copies; be recorded in twelve
different languages; charting
in multiple countries and
become the international Soca
anthem; to date over 22 different
versions of “Hot, Hot
Hot” exists.
Arrows “Hot, Hot Hot”
opened the door for his other
songs. “Groove master”
another Arrow hit, was used
to add flavour to several
movie soundtracks; “casual
sex” and “The
mighty Quinn” to name
a few. Other songs have been
used in adverts to sell cars,
fast food, exotic holidays
and the list goes on. Disney
used some of the Soca Kings
songs to sound tracks as well.
In short Arrow has crossed
over to diverse audiences.
MBE
(Member of the British Empire)
for his contribution to Soca
music.
Arrow
joined a phenomenal group
of international recording
artists on stage at “The
Royal Albert Hall” (London)
in a concert organised by
Sir George Martin to raise
funds for the volcano-ravaged
Montserrat. Artists such as
Sting, Eric Clapton, Jimmy
Buffett, Elton John, and Paul
McCartney also took part .
Arrow
has put Montserrat and Soca
music on the map. With over
33 albums under his belt,
he is showing no signs of
slowing down.
He continues to be in demand
at venues and festivals worldwide.
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By
grafting the traditions of American
jazz to his authentic Jamaican
roots, pianist Monty Alexander
has spent a lifetime exploring
the rich depths of musical and
cultural diversity. In a career
that spans more than four decades,
he has performed and/or recorded
with artists from every corner
of the musical universe: Frank
Sinatra, Ray Brown, Dizzy Gillespie,
Sonny Rollins, Quincy Jones,
Ernest Ranglin, Sly Dunbar,
Robbie Shakespeare and many
more.
Through
it all, he continues to draw
inspiration from the great icons
of American music and popular
culture. “All these people
came from struggling circumstances,”
he says. “They didn't
go to music school. They came
from the street. Nat Cole, Sinatra,
Louis Armstrong – they
all had to hustle to get where
they got. It's that story of
people who can grow up in America
or come to America and achieve
something just because they
have this great attitude and
they have the talent to go with
it, and they reach for something
and they get it.”
In
many ways, Alexander has lived
that same story. Born and raised
in Kingston , Jamaica , he took
his first piano lessons at age
six. As a youngster, he was
often invited to sit in with
the bands of prominent musicians
working in Jamaican nightclubs
and hotels.
During his teen years, he enjoyed,
among others, the performances
of Louis Armstrong and Nat “King”
Cole at the Carib Theater in
Jamaica
The shades of joyful gospel
music in these artists' performances
had a profound and lasting effect
on Alexander's own style. He
eventually formed a band called
“Monty and the Cyclones,”
which landed several songs on
the Jamaican music charts between
1958 to 1960.
http://montyalexander.com/ |
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