Artist Bios - Reggae on the River Festival

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2014 Reggae on the River
3
Welcome to Reggae!
We at the Mateel Community Center are glad you can join us on this historic
occasion: the 30th anniversary of Reggae On The River®!
Last year, the Mateel brought this community fundraising event back to its
historic home at French’s Camp, thanks to the efforts of many hard working
volunteers, staff and community members. Our former Board President and
emcee, Doug Green, who passed away just after last year’s event, worked in
the entertainment business for over 30 years and was one of the people who
played an instrumental part in helping Reggae On The River® return home. Doug
never gave up on his vision- and this was a driving force in helping others see
such a huge endeavor was possible. It was with great joy mixed with sorrow
that I watched Doug emcee for the last time at the festival he helped found
and protect. It seemed fitting that he was able to say goodbye to not only his
friends and family, but to Reggae itself.
More recently, our festival community lost yet another prominent person. Tim
Olsen was the Briceland Fire Chief and Reggae’s Critical Incident Team leader.
He happily dedicated many years of his life to protect and serve our community,
developing a strong, professional rural fire department that is admired and
respected by all. It was an honor working with someone who cared so much
about keeping people safe. Tim is a great example of someone who knew what
needed to be done and found a way to get those tasks accomplished.
Both these men exemplify the spirit of Reggae On The River® because of their
community mindedness, their deep sense of volunteerism, their dedication
in the face of adversity, and their ability to put vision to action for the greater
good. These very elements that make their contributions so great are also what
makes ROTR so special- and truly unique amongst festivals.
As I sit here writing this greeting, welcoming you to the place where I was
born, and heralding the great people whose shoulders I stand upon, I see how
Reggae on the River® so colorfully showcases the remarkable connectivity
of our community. Every time I venture forth to buy food or get a drink at
Reggae, I’m reminded of how purchases directly benefit and help fund our
local non-profits, fire departments and schools. It feels good knowing that I’m
not only satisfying a craving, but also supporting organizations that have the
community’s best interests in mind. Your presence at Reggae on the River® is a
blessing to the land you dance upon and to all those you meet here. And, for
the Mateel Community Center, it means we can continue to offer a plethora of
youth, arts, education and social service programs for which this event is the
primary fundraiser.
Many of us, including myself, have grown up with Reggae On The River® as a part
of our community and festival experience. After twenty-three years of gathering
at French’s Camp, we then went through five years of being estranged from our
true home. Last year, as I walked across the bridge towards the concert bowl
for the incredible homecoming, it felt like I had indeed returned to the roots
and ways of my long lost family, a family where we greet each other by simply
saying, “Happy Reggae.”
Like any family, we tend to one another. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve
witnessed people lending a helping hand, making sure someone was okay,
getting enough water, sunscreen or simply sharing a smile. A big part of
what makes Reggae great are the open hearts that people bring to it and the
heightened collective celebration that is born from that.
Enjoy this year’s festival. Let’s make this 30th Anniversary of Reggae On The River®
one of the best experiences yet!
Happy Reggae,
Garth Epling
Mateel Board President
Reggae On The River ® Crew
Accounting Amie McClellan
Ads/ Sponsorship
Jah Med
Megan Gomes
Patte Rae
Popcorn/ Sno Cone Assistant
Poster Artist
Melissa Vallot
Site
Sony King
Bree Smith
Site
Mike Miller
Site
David Patak
Richard Murray
Jah Med
John & Mary Bustamante
Press/ Marketing Asst Kaati Gafney
Admissions- Walk In
Kira Graeff
Jah Med
Amber Wallan
Program Guide Design
Admissions- RV Park
Rob Then
Admissions- Loop Lot
Alter Able
Tanya Lee Jackson
Alter Able
Ann Mcilwain
Ambiance
Pooba
Ambiance
Mystic Lion
Art Cave
Marjorey Brown
Art Cave Assistant
Lucy Stanley
Artist Merchandise
Honeybear
Artist Shuttle
Blu Graham
ATM David Katz
Audio Archive
Backline
Brew Crew Assistant
Communications
Festival Operations
Shanda Rial
Rehydration Station
Circus Nature
Eric & Sunshine Johnston
KMUD Press Tent Dana Corey
Legal Roxanne Olson
Laminates Sailas McCrady-Hirsch
Lights
Mark Mehlman
Loader Crew Sherri Bybee
Mateel Kitchen Manager Cortney Gossett
Babette Bach
Lois Cordova
Site- Plumbing Phil Kreider
Site- Troubleshooter
Runner Crew
Stewart Wilson
Soft Drinks
Runner-Misc
Vashon Rannow
Bruce Champie
Sherman & Lisa Landry
Sound Engineer
Loren Miller
Recycling and Restoration Donald Rivers
Stage Manager
Jay Patton
Recycling and Restoration Jeff Ackerly
Stage Manager
Recycling and Restoration Mike Ward
Street Team
Recycling and Restoration John Moore
Town Patrol Traci Bear
Recycling and Restoration Chris Wilson
Recycling and Restoration Ken Hanks
Trademark Attorney
Traffic- Interior
Marc Mason
Heather Rowbury
Tim Allen
Shiloh Croy-Baker
Security
Steve Rigney
Vendor Coordinator Ashley Wilma
Mateel Kitchen Mike Lovatto
Security Mike Rigney
Vendor Camping Aaron Ochoa
Mateel Kitchen Melody Hayhurst
Security
Brian St. Clair
Shanon Taliaferro
Dan & Leanna Gribi
Drink Tickets Alden Akselsen
Festival Operation Guide
Kidlandia
KMUD Live Broadcast
Rehydration Station
Mateel Kitchen Sherry Moore
DJ Coordinator Justin Miller
Electrical
Kidlandia
Alisha Goodrich
Site- Bridges Ipo Savoire
Rob Seifert-Gage
Briceland Fire Jim Fulton
Briceland Fire/ Site Construction
Jah Motion Shuttle
Chris Mole’
Ray Moreta
Brew Crew Garth Epling
Ted Sloan
Katz Boose
Casandra Taliaferro
Mateel Meal Juice Booth
Mateel Meal Juice Booth
Neighborhood Response Team:
Jackie Panteleo
Scott Kender
Piercy VFD
Online Marketing/ Video Stream Julia Minton
Parking Manager Joe Moran
Parking- Exterior Jerry von Dohlen
Performer Check In
Video Archive
Andrew Burnett
Security- Backstage
Dan Whyte
Video Projection Stefan G.
Security-Bar
Doug Dale
Video Projections
Security-Bar Dave Sundberg
Security- Overnight
Tim Lyman
Security- Overnight
Dustin Petersonallred
Security- Prairie Hags Lori Ellis
Chad Rea
Volunteer Camping
Bert Clements
Volunteer Camp Info
Karrin Palmer
Volunteer Camp Tent Tagging
Lila Benson
Volunteer Check-In Pleasure Strange
Signage
Matt Dicks
Volunteer Check-In Assistant
Kelley Lincoln
Signage Artist
Sara Young
Volunteer Check-In Assistant
Joellen Clark Peterson
Site Manager John Jennings
Parking- Interior Paul Tuzzolino
Performer Hospitality/ Artist Bios
Todd and Kathy Pisarek
Samantha Charlesworth
Jen Clements
Volunteer Coordinator
Michele Wood
Will Call
Charity Green
Nansi Ochoa
Site
Patty Torbert
Greenway Partners
Steve Salzman
Performer Kitchen
Eric Moore
Site
Erik Kay
Will Call Assistant Annie Pierson
Highway Contractor
Paul Rosenblatt
Popcorn/ Sno Cone
Chrysse Otteson
Site
Jesse “Fuzzy” Louth
Will Call Assistant Coco Hogan
General Manager/ Talent/ PR
4
Info Booth/Merchandise
Cathy Miller
Justin Crellin
Mateel Community Center
Performer Hydration
2014 Reggae on the River
5
General Information
Venue Opens To Public:
8am Thursday, July 31 (for 4-day early arrival ticket holders)
8am Friday, August 1 (for 3-day main event ticket holders)
*Please do not arrive at the venue any earlier than the times listed above for your type of ticket
Miscellaneous Information:
ATM - Need cash? Visit one of two solar powered ATMs. Please see the festival map
for approximate location.
•
Telephone Charging Stations - Info on charging stations is available at the Mateel
information booth.
•
No Dogs Allowed - Attendees with dogs will be asked to leave.
•
Watch Your Kids - Don’t leave your children unattended. Safety I.D. tags are
available at admission gates. Look for lost children at security central or contact
a member of our security team.
•
First Aid/ Medical - First-aid stations are strategically located
throughout the festival grounds. Stop in for trained medical
attention, or find a member of our security or emergency crews,
which are roaming and available 24 hours a day. The main medical
station is located in at the top of the concert bowl by security
central.
•
Be Fire Conscious - Please note that we are in the height of fire
season and that no fires or fireworks are allowed on the festival grounds. Those
caught with illegal fires or fireworks will be ejected from the event. Propane BBQs
and camp stoves are OK. Please no candles or flames in tents.
•
No Lifeguard On Duty - Swim at your own risk. Please note there is no lifeguard
on duty and that rocks can be slick and the river swift in spots.
•
Don’t Drink & Drive - Please drink responsibly and be sure to take the shuttle or
find a designated driver if you’ve had any alcohol and intend to leave the concert
site.
•
Be Prepared - Bring hats, layers of clothing, biodegradable sunscreen/ soaps,
coolers, adequate camping gear, flashlights, and lots of drinking water.
•
Safety First/ Safety Last - This is a family event and we want every child, woman,
and man to be safe. Take care of yourself and those around you.
Admission Hours:
•
Thursday - 8am to 12am
Friday - 8am to 12am
Saturday - 8am to 12am
Sunday - 8am to 8pm
*Please note that arriving after dark is discouraged and it is advised to arrive on site
no later than 8pm. Though admission will be granted during the times listed above,
those arriving after dark will not be allowed to cross the bridge in their vehicle and will
be parked and camped on the west side of the river.
Music/ Stage Hours:
Thursday- 2pm to 12 am (for 4-day early arrival ticket holders only)
Friday - 12am to 1am
Saturday - 10:30am to 1am
Sunday - 10:30am to 10am
Camping Info/ Protocol:
The option of camping on site (in designated areas only) is included
in the price of your ticket. Please note that there are two types of
tent camping options (listed below). You’ll be placed in a site upon
arrival at the venue according to your needs or available space.
• General - most camping on site is general and offers exposed
camping on the river bar.
• Alter-Able - available by advance registration only for a limited number of placard
holding alter-able patrons. Call Alter-Able Camping Coordinator, Tanya Lee Jackson,
at 707 986-7069 to register.
* Please note that camp hosts will interface with you upon arrival and will help ensure
your camping space is reasonable for the size of your party and that you are clear on other
campground info and rules. Please note that camping setbacks of 25ft from the river’s edge
(100ft for vehicles) apply, as do strict space and shade limitations per campsite. Oversized
(or unreasonably sized) tents and shade structures will not be allowed- so don’t bring them.
Be respectful of your neighbors and help us make space in the campground for everyone.
All camping is at your own risk/ personal liability. Valuables should not be left unattended.
Protect Our Environment:
On-Site Parking:
On-site parking fees are not included in the price of your ticket. They
are assessed upon your arrival at the event and you will be charged
the following to park on site:
$40- per standard size vehicle (oversized vehicles extra- no trailers)
$500- per RV (advance reservation required for all RVs through the
Mateel office at 707 923-3368 x21); we request that RV purchasers
have a 4-day ticket and arrive on site with their RV on Thursday, July 31; RVs must be of
no more than 40 total feet in length (including the truck length for tow-behind units)
and standard RVs are not allowed to have trailers or vehicles in tow; please also note
that any cars traveling with your RV will be assessed the standard parking fee and will
be parked with the general public (not in the RV lot).
*Please note that the above parking options are good for the whole weekend, but do not
allow for in and out privileges. All vehicles are subject to security search and environmental
inspection upon arrival.
Help Us Protect The Eel River - The wild and scenic Eel River is a beautiful but imperiled waterway. Protection of this resource is of paramount importance to our local
community and also to the future of Reggae On The River.
**All parking is at your own risk/ personal liability. Valuables should not be left unattended.
Conserve water - In an effort to reduce festival water use, we request that each
attendee bring at least two gallons of drinking water with them. Water stations
are also available in the campground to refill containers.
•
Use only bio-degradable soaps and sunscreen - We request that all attendees use
exclusively bio-degradable sunscreen, tanning lotions, soaps/ shampoos, etc, and
that you restrict use of all soaps and shampoos to the public shower only. Please
visit the campground store if you neglected to bring bio-degradable products
with you.
Day Use Parking:
•
There is no day use parking available on the festival site. The Golf Lot in Benbow is
the closest day use parking area and is available on a first come-first served basis for
a price of $10 per day. This lot is serviced by the festival shuttle.
Shuttle:
Free festival shuttles will offer regular service
to Redway, Garberville, Benbow, and within
the local French’s Camp area from Thursday,
July 31 through Monday, August 4.
•
The town shuttle will pick up/ drop off
approximately every 30 minutes with stops
at the Majestic Center (Redway), Chevron
(Garberville), and the festival site.
•
The local French’s Camp shuttle will pick
up/ drop off approximately every 30
minutes with stops at Richardson Grove State Park, Cook’s Valley Patriot Station,
and the festival site- plus the Benbow Golf Lot (Fri-Sun only)
Recycling & Restoration:
The Recycle and Restoration crew requests your participation in the greening of ROTR.
Restoration and preservation of the environment is our goal and we seek to restore
the natural beauty of the site and preserve it for future generations. Please take with
you what you bring, and may we recommend using the same
cups, plates, and utensils for the whole event. We aspire to a
future zero waste green festival and are hoping you’ll join us in
inspiring others to keep it clean and green.
Recycling Stations: We have manned recycle separation
stations in many locations, with receptacles for CRV and
Non-CRV plastics, aluminum cans, cardboard, glass (all colors),
and hazardous materials. Ask our crew if something seems questionable.
•
Solid Waste: We also have receptacles for solid waste (landfill garbage) at all
Recycling Stations, including butt cans for your cigarettes (please don’t leave them
on the river bar!). We can even facilitate you with bags and/ or cans for your camp.
•
Food Waste: Please note that we will not be composting this year. All compostable
materials should be treated as solid waste.
*Shuttle stops will be clearly marked with the approximate shuttle schedule posted and
will operate continuously, starting approximately one hour before the concert bowl opens
each day and ending 1 hour after the show ends each night, plus from 9am to 2pm on
Monday, August 4.
•
**Important note: Make sure you go directly to the French’s Camp shuttle stop after the
concert is over to ensure you don’t miss your ride.
6
Mateel Community Center
Vending Information
Vending In The Concert Bowl
Please note the concert bowl will be open during the following hours:
Thursday- noon to 1am
Friday- 9am to 2am
Saturday- 9am to 2am
Sunday- 9am to 11pm
The Art Cave
Look for the live performance painters and
you’ll know you’ve reached The Art Cave- a
lion’s den of reggae influenced fine art, some
of which was freshly created at the festival. Featuring the works of Marjory Brown,
Noa, Cinnamin Price, Lucy Stanley, and Bree
Smith, among others, most pieces are for sale
and benefit both the artists and the Mateel
Community Center.
Artist Merchandise
Art painted live at ROTR 2013 by Noa
Located just inside the north entrance to the concert bowl, the Artist Merchandise Booth is the place to go for artist meet and greets and to pick up the latest
music/ gear from many of our featured festival performers. Help support these
great artists and take home a CD or shirt as a memento of your Reggae On The
River experience.
Vending Beyond The Bowl
Campground Store
Reggae On The River® Information & Merchandise Booths
Offering…
• Program guides, stage schedules and other festival info
• Limited edition 30th annual Reggae On The River t-shirts & merchandise
• 30th annual Reggae on the River collectible memorabilia- including stickers,
posters, shirts, hats, and more
• Mateel memberships and community center info
• Mateel merchandise- including t-shirts, sweatshirts, hats, stainless steel water
bottles, and more
• Info on cell phone charging stations
• Stuff check- for $5.00 you can check your stuff in a safe location while you
enjoy the festival. Free for MCC members.
• Lost & found- turn in found or claim lost items here (or at Security Central)
Vending Booths
Always a favorite festival attraction, more than 60 handcraft, import, non-profit,
and food vendors will surround the French’s Camp concert bowl. Take a stroll to
enjoy a wide variety of offerings from longtime Reggae On The River participants
and a host of new vendors offering everything from food and refreshments, to
crafts of every variety, plus a mix of sponsor and non-profit information booths.
We take pride in noting that that all Reggae food/ drink concessions support
non-profit organizations.
The local chapter of Support Our Schools (SOS) will run this 24-hour campground
store which offers cold sodas, hot coffee, snack foods, and basic amenities like
sunscreen, band-aids, toothpaste, and camping items.
Public Ice Sales
Located outside the north concert bowl entrance, Salmon Creek VFD will offer
ice to fill those thirsty coolers. Open all weekend- 8am to 8pm.
Late Night Food
Late night food options will be available to service hungry patrons at times
when the concert bowl is closed. Look for these offerings just outside the north
entrance to the concert bowl.
Local Neighbor Businesses
We encourage you to support our neighboring businesses. Please refer to the
festival map for specific locations, all of which are either walking distance or
served by the festival shuttle.
• Cooks Valley Patriot Station - offering gas, snack foods, cold drinks, beer/
wine, etc. New this year! - a crosswalk for convenient foot traffic across
Hwy 101
• Thunderbird Mountain Trading Co.- offering Native American jewelry,
salmon jerky, and gifts
• Grandfather Tree- offering beautiful wooden keepsakes to commemorate
your trip to redwood country
• Benbow Inn- fine dining and lodging in an historic hotel; also features the
adjacent Benbow Valley RV/ tent campground and golf course
• The many businesses, shops, and restaurants of Garberville & Redway
Reggae On The River® Site Map
2014 Reggae on the River
7
Masters
of Ceremonies
Special Guest Emcee:
Roger Steffens
A world-renowned reggae archivist, author, radio/
TV host, actor and photographer, Roger Steffens
first discovered reggae 41 years ago. Co-host of
the award-winning NPR radio program, “Reggae
Beat,” which was syndicated on 130 stations, he
is co-founder of “The Beat” magazine, and has
lectured internationally for 30 years on “The Life
of Bob Marley.” Founding chairman of the Reggae
Grammy Committee (1984-2011), he has written
six books about Marley and the music’s history.
The Jamaica Observer declared him #8 of the Top
Ten Most Influential People in Reggae.
And Featuring ROTR Emcees:
Agnes Patak – Agnes has been involved
with ROTR since the beginning- photographing,
working the press tent, emceeing, and
participating on the talent committee. Host of
the World Beat Show on KMUD for the last 27
years, between her show and the ROTR press tentshe has interviewed just about every reggae and
world music artist out there. She is also proud
to represent as one the few female emcees of a
major festival.
Hoy Kersh – Hoy loves the Mateel Community
Center and was one of its founding members
more than 34 years ago. She started cooking at
ROTR in the early days and later performed at
the event numerous times with her reggae band,
Massawa. In recent years she’s been a regular
festival emcee and remains an active member of
the Mateel family and local community.
Spliff Skankin’
- Veteran emcee and
reggae DJ, Spliff Skankin’, has been a fixture at
ROTR for years. He is a founding member of the
seminal Bay Area sound system, Massive Sound
International, and is a popular host of reggae
radio programs on KKUP, KPFA and KFJC. He will
be emceeing and spinning tracks throughout
the weekend.
Rasta Stevie - Featured as a guest emcee
at Reggae On The River® from 1995 through
2006, Colorado based radio personality, Rasta
Stevie, is a gifted talent on the mic. Equally
adept at presenting information as he is at giving
historically based introductions, he can be heard
on Friday nights on KDUR in CO with his popular
program, Heart Beat Of Zion- rebroadcast online
on Randy’s Reggae Radio.
Madi Simmons - Passionately creating
music for over 20 years, Simmons is a Rasta born
and raised in the US. A longtime resident of
Humboldt County he is ever ready to spread
the good message of reggae. Lately he’s been
releasing singles and working with producers in
Europe- and will now be taking up the mic for
the first time as an ROTR emcee.
Marley - Born and raised on the rocks of
Reggae On The River, Marley is a local DJ
continuing the legacy of the SHC! He is making
his augural appearance on the ROTR stage as an
emcee to introduce some of his local brethren.
In Memoriam: Doug Green
The Mateel Community Center lost a longtime
friend- and Reggae On The River a great emceein the passing of Doug Green, who succumbed
to his battle with cancer on Sunday, September
22- just after Reggae last year. A tireless supporter
of the Mateel Community Center and ROTR from
its earliest beginnings through the festival’s 2013
French’s Camp homecoming, Doug played a
pivotal role throughout the history and evolution
of Reggae On The River®. His statesmanship
helped facilitate the creation of the now-famous
French’s Camp venue and, in recent times, he guided Mateel in our efforts to
bring the show home to this beloved spot- an experience we are so thankful
to have shared with him one last time. Despite his sickness, he continued
to serve as Mateel Board President through his final days and will forever be
remembered as a man of great courage, strength, and wisdom- someone
who gave himself to his community. This one’s for you Doug!
Ishi Dube - Born in India and raised in NorCal,
Ishi Dube is one of Humboldt’s favorite and most
seasoned reggae performers. As a musician, his
sweet vocals carry a melodic, roots sway, yet he is
also able to belt to a rougher dancehall delivery.
Ishi brings fire to the mic as both performer and
emcee and we are proud to have him representing
as both for the 30th annual Reggae On The River®.
Wisdom - Progressive music artist, Wisdom,
has been in the forefront of the Bay Area’s hip hop/
reggae culture for well over a decade. Committed
to a path of self-mastery through meditation and
spiritual growth, Wisdom recently released his
third full-length album, “Full Spectrum,” featuring
Sizzla and Michael Rose, and we are happy to host
him once again as an ROTR emcee.
Irie Dole - A well established DJ, event host
and radio personality, Irie Dole is an all around
reggae advocate. Whether alone or with Jah
Warrior Shelter Hi-Fi Sound System, his unique
delivery and selection puts him a cut above the
average selector. After 20 years of service to the
CA reggae scene, Irie Dole now resides on Maui
where he is programming/ operations director
and a favorite on-air radio voice for Q103, the
only commercial radio station in the US to play
strictly reggae music.
8
Mateel Community Center
Reggae On The River® Vendors
Ali Designer
Alma’s Mexican / CASA of Humboldt
Baltic Amber and Creations
Beginnings
Blaze 1 Clothing
Blessed Botanicals
California Rocks
Coboo Creations
Coco Loco Jewelry
Cool Shoes and Moccasins
Cutting Edge Soulutions
Eagles Nest Outfitters
EPIC & Get Fried Rice
Evolutionary Tie-Dye
Face & Body Art by Kathleen
Fatbol Clothing
Forever Stoked
Garden of Beadin
Grassroots California
Heartwood Institute
Humboldt County’s Smoking Caterpillar
Humboldt Republic Clothing & Print Co.
Humboldt Nutrients/ Fertile World
Island Tribe Apparel
Kiwanis of the Redwoods
KMUD Redwood Community Radio
Kona Pipes
Light Up Coats
Lydia’s Lovin Foods /
Hempstead Project Heart
Mali Sabatasso Design
Mama’s Medicinals
Mateel Meal Juice Booth
Matt Jones Art
May’s Chinese Food
Nectar Creations
One Love Irie Arts
Outlaw Kitchen
Pedicab People Movers
Planet Skills
Pure Anywhere
RedEye Laboratories
Rise & Shine Posse
Rock N Rugs
Round Tuit Wood Spoonz
Royal Restoration
Royal Roots Clothing
Sageman Drums
Satori Movment Clothing
Shamus T Bones/
South Fork Booster Club
SHC Industries
Simpy Salma’s Treasures
So. Hum. Community Park Farm
Spiros Gyros
Sprowel Creek Vol. Fire Dept.
Synergy Organic Clothing
Thaoe Wellness Coop
The Humboldt Connection
We Are California Grown
Artist Bios
FRIDAY, August 1
12:00 | Opening Ceremony
12:30 | Thicker Than Thieves
Their first return to the
festival in 10 years, the music
of Thicker Than Thieves is
multi-faceted and widely
appreciated. Featured in
various surf movies and
slated to release their fourth
LP showcasing the group’s
diverse songwriting skills
and musical talents, TTT first
came on the scene in 2002
with “Smuggler’s Run.” Local to the region of ROTR, Humboldt’s homegrown
guitarist, Brian Sykes along with fellow musicians with roots in Hawaii and Costa
Rica, find themselves currently based in San Diego. This group of rockers pumps
out a sun-baked and surf-inspired mix of heavy bass lines and blazing guitars,
successfully blending soulful vocals and a searing rock-reggae based rhythm
section to create an original style that has earned them fans the world over.
With influences ranging from Bad Brains, Bob Marley, and The Clash, TTT pulls
out all the strings and tricks to play audiences into a fun-filled frenzy.
1:55 | Majic
In only a short span of time, this 17 year old roots
pop reggae artist has already achieved things
most acts only dream about. A member of the
Jack Knight Song Writing Academy, Majic stated
her quest in 2011 to become involved in music
as a reggae singer. Becoming the first female
from New Zealand to record at the legendary
Tuff Gong Studios in Kingston, Jamaica, her
singles, “Likkleman” and “Punky Reggae Party”
are sweeping the airwaves. Incorporating the
guidance of her tribal elders from Te Tai Tokerau,
the northern region of Aotearoa (New Zealand),
along with the musical sensibilities of Lauryn
Hill, Maisey Rika, Katchafire, India Arie, and Bob
Marley, Majic is manifesting an unusually hip twist to something otherwise
ancient. Working alongside fellow youths and promoting youth initiatives
through music, Majic’s artistic vision is all-inclusive and knows no bounds. We
welcome their first-ever U.S. performance!
3:20 | i-KRONIK
One of the best bands to
emerge out of Jamaica in 25
years, i-KRONIK represents the
future of the “classic” reggae
band. Since their official debut
in October 2011, they have
been rising steadily with their
versatility, wide range appeal
and high level musicianship.
Born from the lineage of the
Gumption Band in which the
majority of the members had been playing professionally, all five of them sing
and play instruments, including a featured melodica. A hard act to follow,
i-KRONIK mixes distinct vocal styles with crafty lyrical compositions and their live
performances showcase the skills of each individual member. Their chemistry
is so irresistible, so authentic, so playful and so magnetic that they are easily
the most interactive, refreshing, and up-to-date sound around. On the heels
of the release of their first EP, they are sure to perform some of their hot new
original material along with sets backing Iba MaHr and Megah Banton at this
year’s ROTR.
3:45 | Iba MaHr
At the helm of the Roots Revival with Chronixx,
Kabaka Pyramid, Protoje and Jah9, is Iba MaHr.
With a new single out, “Babylon Debating,”
this young Jamaican sensation draws upon
Rastafari for inspiration. Born Mario Greaves,
his friends granted him the name “Iba”
meaning calm and humble and “MaHr” the
acronym for a small province in Ethiopia. A
singer of reggae and lovers rock, at the age
of 19 he voiced his first song with Charmax
Music, chanting from Linstead, St.Catherine.
He released his first song in 2008, “Had It and
Lost It” with Charmax Music and Max “Romeo”
Smith. Committed to the promotion of roots and culture, this young artist credits
it for enabling him to withstand the many dangers of his volatile community.
Now in his mid-20s, he is more intent than ever to pursue this mission. With
tunes “Will I Wait” and “Let Jah Lead the Way” and tour stops at Summerjam
in Germany as well as in France and Poland, the world has just begun to hear
what Iba MaHr has to offer.
4:45 | Megah Banton
Megah’s gruff and provocative lyrical delivery distinguished him from fellow
emerging singjays of the early 90s,
which his first ever track, “Give It A Ease”
epitomizes. Having toured extensively
with Beenie Man, and Tanto Metro and
Devonte, Megah (formerly Mega without
the new addition of an “h”) continues to
leave his mark in reggae dancehalls the
world over. Like his musical inspiration,
Buju Banton, Megah chronicles the harsh
realities of life in Jamaica with a positive
spin. Growing up outside of Kingston in
the city of Portmore, Megah was writing
and singing his own tunes and developing his own style by the second grade.
Crooning the lyrics of Dennis Brown, Yellow Man and Alton Ellis over his father’s
sound system at neighborhood sessions, his 1993 debut album on VP Records,
“First Position” rewarded him with the song “Sound Boy Killing” that charted
on the U.S. Billboard, propelling his career to the next level. His hardcore edge
gained the attention and support of notorious reggae producer, Jack Scorpio
and later Sony Records with “Money Ina Mi Pocket” and “Pon Di Corner” staying
on the reggae charts in JA and the U.S. for several months in 2003. Although
his appearances on dancehall riddims have been limited in the last few years,
he has preserved his untouchable style and status as exemplified on his most
recent album, “Thug Poetry” (2009).
6:10 | Fishbone
From the shifting fault lines of Hollywood
fantasies and the economic racial tensions
of Reagan’s 1980s America, Fishbone rose to
become one of the most original bands of the
last 25 years. With a blistering combination
of ska, punk, funk and reggae, they demolish
the walls of genre and challenge the racial
stereotypes and political order of the
music industry and the nation. Lead singer,
Angelo Moore’s ability to combine thoughtprovoking, humorous social commentary with
his Fishbone brethren’s frenzied, up-tempo
music and frantic, euphorically entertaining
With a blisterin g combin ation of ska, pun k, fun k an d reggae,
Fishbon e demolishes the walls of gen re an d chall en ge the
racial stereotypes an d political order of the m usic in dustry
an d the n ation .
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stage show has cultivated their undisputed reputation as one of the best live
acts in music. Still composing, creating, recording, releasing and performing
original music together, the band is experiencing a resurgence of energy
fueled in part by their critically acclaimed full-length feature documentary,
“Everyday Sunshine – The Story of Fishbone” which tells the story of the band’s
love for and dedication to their art in spite of struggles with money, family and
racial stereotypes of being black punk rockers. These genre-bending artists
are consistently re-inventing themselves and their courage and talent were
recognized this year with a featured slot at Coachella. Despite having a close
connection to our community for all these years, Fishbone has never played
ROTR before! Thus, we are especially excited to welcome them to our 30th
anniversary for which they have planned a special, reggae-infused set.
started working together at the newly created Channel One label and studio,
one of the best in Jamaica. Responsible for consistently reshaping the landscape
of JA’s music, in 1976 they introduced a beat called “Rockers” which quickly
replaced the prevalent “One Drop” style. In the early 80s they introduced the
“Rub a Dub” sound. Sly and Robbie were also a markedly crucial component
in developing the trend toward computer assisted music and programming in
the mid-80s. As arguably the longest lasting production team in music history
and having worked with every notable artist in Jamaica, Sly and Robbie and The
Taxi Gang are returning to our stage, tipping their hats to ROTR’s three decades
of bringing reggae music to the United States.
7:55 | Sly and Robbie with The Taxi Gang
Truly one of the finest singers in the
lovers rock genre, Bitty McLean has
a voice that could melt butter. Born
in 1972 in Birmingham, England, his
earliest memories are punctuated by his
performances with local sound systems,
including his father’s, where he started
singing over dub and instrumental riddims
as a teenager. After studying sound
engineering at college, he was invited
in1992 to join UB40 not only as a producer
and engineer, but also to play and sing on
what would become the internationally
renowned album, “Promises and Lies” which sold in excess of eight million
copies. Bitty, with his elegant presence and astonishing voice, has an unnerving
ability to pen pop smash hits and his own material notched up a string of top
ten hit singles throughout the 90s, including “Walk Away from Love” which
continues to be a big club hit. The release of the superb album, “On Bond
Street” (1994) showcases McLean’s reworkings of vintage American soul tunes
and his impressive ear for Motown and classic rocksteady. His cover tunes are so
brilliantly executed, using his own lyrics over the warm nostalgic sounds that it’s
hard to believe that he was not there when the tracks were originally recorded.
Bitty followed soon after with an album he co-created with the world’s greatest
rhythm section and production team, Sly and Robbie, titled “Movin’ On” (2009).
Receiving widespread critical acclaim, including Reggae Album of the Year by
the New York Times, McLean and Sly and Robbie have continued to collaborate,
tour, and record, including their most recent album, “The Taxi Sessions” (2013).
In a rare American appearance, Bitty McLean, together with Sly and Robbie and
Taxi Gang, will alight the stage at ROTR Friday night.
Sly and Robbie are more than just a rhythm section; they are the premiere
architects of the modern sound
of Jamaican music. As well as
being on the scene during the
roots hay day, this duo helped
power reggae into the 1980s,
sharing the sound of the mighty
Black Uhuru and numerous
others on their own Taxi label.
They are also the go-to guys
for international stars wanting
a taste of Jamaica. The Rolling
Stones, Bob Dylan, No Doubt
and Herbie Hancock are just
a few of the extensive list of
artists who have sought them
out for the good groove. One
staggering estimate is that these
two have played on or produced
some 200,000 songs and may well be the most prolific recording artists ever. The
rhythm section of drummer Lowell Dunbar (nicknamed Sly after Sly Stone, one
of his favorite musicians) and bass guitarist, Robert Shakespeare, started working
together in the mid-70s after having established themselves separately in JA’s
music scene. They describe their being drawn together as being something
akin to magic, as before meeting and joining forces they had noticed each
other’s talents. Upon finding out that they shared the same ideas about music
in general (both are huge fans of Motown, James Brown, and The Beatles), they
8:55 | Bitty McLean
2014 Reggae on the River
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10:10 | Michael Rose
With arguably the most high
profile, signature voice in reggae
music, Michael Rose has been
recording and performing music
for over 35 years. In the1970s
and 80s, Rose’s charismatic stage
presence and voice as the front
man of the legendary, Black
Uhuru, (which won the first ever
Grammy in the Reggae category
for the album, “Anthem”) was key
to their becoming one of the biggest and best loved reggae acts. Throughout
his career, even as different Jamaican musical styles have phased in and out of
popularity, Rose has always remained a modern roots artist. The mastermind
behind and voice on such massive tunes as “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner,”
“General Penitentiary,” and “I Love King Selassie,” and most recently, his
collaboration with Damian Marley on, “Shoot Out,” Rose shows he has staying
power. In fact, the industry calls Rose’s trademark styled voice (that reached
mainstream America when featured in a scene on The Cosby Show in the 1980s)
“the Waterhouse sound” after the rough section of downtown Kingston from
where Rose hails. Additionally, his magnetic stage presence seems to defy
reason. Spiritually ordained? Perhaps. Talented? Without contest. Boasting an
epic career and extensive biography, Michael Rose is truly a reggae superstar.
In addition to this featured Friday set with fellow Black Uhuru contributors, Sly
and Robbie, Rose will also perform close out Thursday night at ROTR in rare
collaboration with famed producer, GAUDI.
11:30 | Gentleman & The Evolution
Born Tilmann Otto in 1974, the son of a
Protestant pastor, Gentleman has become
a highly esteemed international headliner
and the face of reggae in Germany. Songs
such as “Dem Gone,” “Superior,” and
“Send a Prayer” have become modern
classics in the canon of contemporary
roots reggae. His career was initially
inspired by a collection of sound system
tapes brought back from Jamaica by a
friend. “There was an incredible energy
about it, “ he remembers, “The first time
I went to JA myself was at the age of 18
and it completely changed the way I look
at music….that music is much more than
entertainment- that it is important and
can shape societies.” A phenomenal
songwriter with a distinct singjay vocal
style and an unmistakable sincerity,
Gentleman refreshed the reggae genre, giving it new relevance at a time
when it was lacking luster. His album debut in 1999, “Troddin On,” was just the
beginning of the impact he was to make in reggae, while 2002’s “Journey to
Jah” was the real breakthrough album that was heard worldwide. His album,
“Confidence” (2004) went Platinum while his sixth and latest album, “New Day
Dawn” (2013), is heralded as the purest Gentleman album to date. Nearly all of
its 16 tracks originated on the latest addition to his creative flow: a grand piano
in his Cologne apartment. The intensity of Gentleman’s vibes, the tremendous
interaction he shares with his audiences and his unpretentious confidence
have him and his band, The Evolution, performing with the same spirit and
uncontrollable joy that his spiritual home in Jamaica first inspired. Friday night,
the ROTR massive will be electrified by this artist’s perfect balance of roots
reggae, dancehall, pop and hip-hop.
A phen om en al son gwriter
with a distin ct sin gjay vocal
styl e an d an un mistakabl e
sin cerity, Gentl eman refreshed
the reggae gen re, givin g it n ew
rel evan ce at a tim e when it was
lackin g l uster.
Respect the River.
Protect the River.
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Artist Bios
SATURDAY, August 2
10:30 | Opening Blessing
10:45 | John Trudell and Bad Dog
Acclaimed poet, recording artist
and activist, John Trudell’s universal
following reflects the universal
language of his words, work and
message. Of Santee Sioux lineage,
he was a spokesperson for the
occupation of Alcatraz Island from
1969-1971 and served as Chairman
of the American Indian Movement
during most of the 1970s. Following a
terrible tragedy, he began to find his
voice as an artist and poet- to, in his
words, “Stay connected to reality…I’m just a human being trying to make it in a
world that is very rapidly losing its understanding of being human.” Recording
his provocative poetry to rock and roll, blues, and traditional Native American
music, he creates a compelling backdrop for his views on society, love and life.
An outspoken and prolific artist with a long legacy of work, his latest,” The
Madness and The Moremes” showcases some of the best music the razor sharp
band, Bad Dog has ever created. Following appearances at ROTR’s 10th and
20th anniversaries, it’s only fitting that John Trudell is back now for our 30th.
12:10 | Indubious
Playing an eclectic mix of
dancehall and new roots
reggae (rootstronica) with
visionary lyrical messages,
two and three part harmonies,
and electro funk fusion jams,
Ashland, Oregon’s Indubious
is a group of intergalactic
revolutionaries. Best known
for their impactful live shows,
they’ve recently exploded onto national and international markets leaving in
their wake the makings of a conscious arising. Winning the 2010 Global Marijuana
Music Award in the “Best Reggae” category for their song “Ganja Weed,” and
a finalist in last summer’s Marley Mellow Mood Band Contest, Indubious has
made a huge impact on the West Coast’s conscious music scene. Aiming to
reconnect the people of the world with rightful living, their third studio album,
“Wake The Lion,” (2013) produced by GAUDI, proves that Indubious is on a quest
to change the face of music.
1:40 | Abya Yala
The intention of this 11-piece band from Santiago, Chile is to generate attitudes of
environmentalism, community building, the promotion of youth self-sufficiency
and the general upliftment of life on the planet. With over 10 years experience
in a completely independent and self-managed manner, they have produced
two albums: “Change” (2010) and “Day and Night” (2014). In the spirit of the
group’s namesake, “Abya Yala” meaning “land of vital blood,” they have been
living together for several years in Chile in a home that includes a temple and a
studio where many important projects of the new Chilean scene are incubated,
including their band. Abya Yala has been sharing its music on stages across
Chile and in a parallel universe across the world via social networking, inspiring
the band to continue working despite how difficult it is to sustain an artistic
project independently. Armed with a great sound and a ton of heart, ROTR is
so happy they embarked on this journey for our 30th anniversary – their first
appearance in North America!
3:15 | Marlon Asher
Marlon Asher’s runaway hit, “Ganja
Farmer” (2004) helped kick-start the
Trinidad and Tobago dancehall/reggae
movement, taking the music to a global
audience and breaking down barriers for
other T&T artists in the process. The tune
was an instant classic and chosen as the
lead track on the annual Greensleeves
Record compilation, “Biggest One Drop
Anthems of 2006.” Asher’s sweet voice
and tender passion delivered another
anthem for those who appreciate the
benefits of cannabis, “Ganja Cowboy,”
and together the tunes have received
over 15 million views/downloads. A calm and humble artist, his approach to
music is about more than putting out hit songs and selling ringtones. Having
been exposed to reggae music as a youth, it was natural for him to use reggae
music as a medium rather than soca and calypso music which is what dominates
T&T. Hailing from Chaguanas in central T&T, he was given the name “Marlon”
while “Asher” stems from when he became a proud member of the Twelve
Tribes of Israel who gave him his spiritual upbringing and the desire to share
Jah’s message through music. Asher’s musical style was recently reinvigorated
by the release of the mixtape, “Higher Learning” (2013). We at ROTR welcome
Marlon Asher to our stage for the very first time!
4:40 | Etana
Since she came on the scene in 2007,
Etana has remained the queen of
socially conscious reggae. Her debut
single, “Wrong Address” highlighted
the discrimination some Jamaicans
face who live in violence-ridden
communities. Meanwhile, hits like
“Roots” and “Jah Chariot” quickly
made her a household name within
reggae circles. With her third fulllength album, “A Better Tomorrow,”
(2013) recorded at Kingston’s legendary Tuff Gong Studios, Etana consistently
wraps encouraging and edifying sentiments in gorgeous melodies and lushly
textured rhythms. Raised in August Town, JA, Shauna “Etana” McKenzie was
studying in Florida to be a nurse when she left college to join the female popR&B trio, Gift. While shooting a music video with the group, she defied the
overtly sexual stereotypes that were being forced upon her and her bandmates
i.e. protesting the requisite attire of lingerie, stiletto heels and invasive camera
angles. She returned to Jamaica where she had a destined meeting with Richie
Spice’s management which resulted in her becoming his backup singer. Shortly
thereafter, she chose the name “Etana” which in Swahili means “the strong
one” (also the title of her first album - 2008) as she left to work on strictly her
own terms as a solo artist. “I looked at how women were being represented in
Jamaican music and how little girls think that is the way it’s supposed to be,
and I wanted to be a positive influence and change some of the things they are
taught,” Etana reflects. Etana’s powerful vocal range and elegant and modest
rasta-chic style is as distinct as her sultry verve, empowered songwriting and
authentic regality- proving that she is indeed the empress of reggae soul.
I looked at how wom en were bein g represented in Jamaican
m usic an d how littl e girls thin k that is the way it’s supposed
to be, an d I wanted to be a positive in fl uen ce an d chan ge
som e of the thin gs they are taught.” ~ Etan a
2014 Reggae on the River
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6:15 | See-I
Representing ROTR’s 30 year
commitment to host artists defining
the future of reggae music, the story
of See-I begins with two brothers,
Rootz and Zeebo Steele. In the
heady days of the 1980s, the two
vocalists launched a musical project
that quickly became a fixture on
Washington, D.C.’s burgeoning
music scene. Crossing paths with Thievery Corporation’s Eric Hilton, who became
determined to include them in future projects, they have gone on to record,
perform and tour the world as the backing band for the famed musical group.
One of the East Coast’s premier party bands; an eight piece powerhouse
ensemble which includes the foundational members from Thievery’s live band,
they weave original roots and dub reggae through intoxicating layers of funk,
rap, rock, and Latin jazz. With a full length album and an EP out on Fort Knox
Recordings label, when this crew rolls in, the dance floor takes off on vibrations
set off by echo effects and bass-heavy rhythms. Otherwise and usually booked
up with Thievery Corporation dates, this is a rare west coast performance for the
group- and we’re happy they chose ROTR to be their first-ever NorCal festival.
7:55 | Third World
Over the years, Third World is most certainly one of ROTR’s favorites. With four
decades of smash hit songs, sold-out tours and inspirational messages, Third
World is more than just one of the top reggae bands of all time, it is an institution.
Founded in 1973 by members of Inner
Circle, Third World is credited as being
the first reggae act to incorporate funk,
Philly soul, hip hop, South African
township music, and even strains of
classical into its boundless style. Third
World joined Bob Marley and The
Wailers as the opening act for their 1975
world tour. The following year, Third
World’s adaption of the Abysinnians’
“Satta Massagana” and their own
original “96 Degrees in the Shade” – both enormously successful songs - set the
stage for their commercial breakthrough album in 1978, “Journey to Addis” which
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Mateel Community Center
featured a funky, disco-flavored cover of the O’Jay’s, “Now That We’ve Found
Love,” a song that hit the Top Ten in both the United States and the U.K.. Hailed
far and wide as the “Reggae Ambassadors,” Third World is one of the longest
lived reggae bands of all time and one of Jamaica’s most consistently popular
crossover acts among international audiences. With 10 Grammy nominations,
23 albums, and a plethora of awards including the prestigious United Nations
Peace Medal, Third World has stood, since the beginning, for producing and
performing music that holds firm to the cultural and ancestral roots of its
members while continuing to push at the cutting edge of all music forms. In a
1992 interview with Billboard Magazine, founding member Bunny Rugs, who
passed away this February, described the band as “Strictly a reggae band –
no. Definitely a reggae band – yes.” Their most recent album, “Patriots,” was
released in 2010 and their performance at ROTR will pay tribute to Rugs as well
as help us commemorate our 30th anniversary is a mutual nod of respect and
a testament to this ever-living music.
9:55 | Iration
Arguably the quickest rising band
on radar, Iration’s number one
album on iTunes, “Time Bomb”
still remains in the Top 20 four
years later and has sold 40K copies.
In fact everything this Southern
California based band puts out
creates a buzz. Their debut album,
“No Time for Rest” (2007) topped
the Billboard Reggae Album Chart
and by the next year they were off on a national tour. An alternative-reggaerock group of musicians that met while growing up in Hawaii, they formed
their band while reconnecting in Santa Barbara. Iration has since become a
crucial factor in the shaping of a popular new subgenre within reggae, one
that brings the stylings and charge of the coast of California to its Caribbean
roots. Creating truly original sounds by fusing reggae with fresh pop and rock
influences, Iration has something that people these days can’t get enough
of. With three EPs and three full length albums, this quintet has sold over 60K
albums along with over a quarter of a million single downloads to date with
their latest album, “Automatic” (2013) having shot to #1 on Billboard’s Reggae
Album Chart. The aloha spirit captured by this quintet’s fresh blend of music
is why Iration is ripping it up on stage and in the studio, while getting a surf in
whenever possible.
2014 Reggae on the River
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11:30 | Jimmy Cliff
Jimmy Cliff was reggae’s first international star and he remains its greatest living
ambassador. Having taken the music to all corners of the Earth, Cliff’s first hit,
“Wonderful World, Beautiful People” (1969) soared high on the charts in the U.K.
and the U.S., six years before Bob Marley and The Wailers cracked the charts
with “Natty Dread.” A spectacular showman with incomprehensible energy,
Cliff is also a Grammy
award winning ska and
reggae singer, songwriter,
musician and actor. His
career made a full-throttle
breakthrough in 1972
with the groundbreaking
Jamaican film, “The Harder
They Come” in which he
starred and contributed
the title track in addition
to half of the songs on the
soundtrack (“You Can Get It
If You Really Want It,” “Many
Rivers to Cross,” and “Sitting
in Limbo”). “The Harder
They Come” was the first feature film written and directed by a Jamaican and
was shot on location using an all-native cast. The movie was a huge success
in JA and a cult classic everywhere else. The soundtrack, released in 1973, sold
well around the world and is singularly credited for helping to popularize
reggae music. A true Jamaican icon, Cliff was born James Chambers on April 1,
1948 in St.James, Jamaica. As a teenager, he adopted the stage name “Cliff” to
acknowledge the heights he intended to climb. With a career spanning nearly 50
years, Cliff’s material can be found on a total of nearly 100 albums/compilations/
EPs/singles. His first album to win a Grammy was “Cliff Hanger” (1985). Then, in
the early 90s, Cliff returned to the mainstream with his hit remake of Johnny
Nash’s “I Can See Clearly Now” from the Cool Runnings movie soundtrack. The
only other Jamaican, besides the venerable Bob Marley, to be inducted into the
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (2010), he is also the only living musician to hold the
Order of Merit (2003)- one of the highest honors granted by the JA government
for achievement in the arts and sciences. His 2012 album “Rebirth,” was his
first studio release in seven years. It received a Grammy award for Best Reggae
Album as well as earned a number 12 spot in Rolling Stone’s 50 Best Albums of
2012. With his signature fusion of reggae, pop and soul, Cliff continues to make
Jamaica proud with his exuberance, talent and grace.
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Mateel Community Center
The onl y other Jamaican ,
besides the ven erabl e Bob Marl ey,
to be in ducted into the Rock
an d Roll Hall of Fam e (2010),
Jimm y Cliff is also the onl y
livin g m usician to hold the
Order of Merit (2003)- on e of the
highest hon ors granted by the JA
govern m ent for achievem ent in
the arts an d scien ces. His 2012
album “ Rebirth ,” was his first
studio rel ease in seven years.
It received a Gramm y award
for Best Reggae Album as well
as earn ed a n umber 12 spot in
Rollin g Ston e’s 50 Best Albums
of 2012.
SUPPORTING SUSTAINBILITY & OUR COMMUNITY SINCE 1988
ROASTED IN HUMBOLDT
2014 Reggae on the River
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Large assortment of hand blown glass, hookahs,
and vaporizors. Don’t forget the great assortment
of trimmers, bagging machines, pollinators,
bubble bags, presses, scales,
money counters, scissors, trim trays, and more!
Open Mon-Fri 9 am to 6 pm & Sat-Sun 10 am to 5 pm
1911 Barnett Court, Suite 6, Redway CA 95560
(follow our signs to the last right hand turn in the
Medows Business Park between Garberville & Redway)
(707) 923-9319
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Mateel Community Center
Artist Bios
SUNDAY, August 3
10:30 | Opening Blessing
2:05 | Mutabaruka and Skool Band
Jamaica’s most revered poet/artist, Mutabaruka is one of the country’s earliest
10:45 | Reggae Dub Poet Ras Marcus Benjamin dub poets. A combo of the spoken word approach stemming from the Jamaican
Born and raised in Brooklyn,
NY, Ras Marcus Benjamin has
been writing and performing
poetry for nearly three decades.
Incorporating deep roots sounds
from Reggae and Dub, in 2013
he released “Dub Talking,” the
first-ever dub poetry album set to
Nyabinghi drums in a live “from
the floor” studio recording. The
album includes several pieces
from his self-published book, Dub
Talking, which came out in 1995. With his current single, “Dread Inna Babylon,”
he explores new rhythmic patterns collaborating on UK-style dub productions
in a look to the future of dub poetry.
11:00 | Zili Misik
deejay style, paired with the sonic reduction of dub music, dup poetry was
initially defined in the early 80s. A firebrand who repeatedly attacked the
injustices and hypocrisy he saw both in Jamaica and in the western world at
large, Muta was born Alan
Hope in Kingston in 1952
and grew up in a working
class neighborhood where
he turned to Rastafari at a
young age. As a schoolboy
he found his adopted name
in a book of poems and later
discovered that, in Rwanda,
the name means “one who
is always victorious.” The
charismatic Mutabaruka
belongs to a tradition of
Rastafari oratory and has
been featured as a guest lecturer at American universities, has released multiple
albums, and hosts a weekly music/talk show on JA’s Irie FM which has made
him a national figure, albeit a controversial one. This witty, bare-footed Rasta
with a wicked sense of humor will perform an extraordinary musical set at ROTR
backed by one of Jamaica’s most prolific ensembles, the Skool Band, which was
the (touring) Sunsplash house band and one that has played all of the island’s
major stage shows. Muta’s innovative word plays will be illuminated by their
sweeping musical genres including tribal-house to dancehall, reggae and R&B.
An all female, new world soul group out of Boston, Zili Misik evokes the captivating
sounds of the African continent, retracing the routes of forced exile and cultural
resistance through diasporic rhythm and song. Often dressed in matching
elegant white linens and representing five countries and three continents,
these seasoned Berklee School of Music alums will make your heart, body and
soul shake with their original creations. For more than 10 years this seven piece
ensemble has been transmuting Haitian mizik rasin, Jamaican roots reggae,
Afro-Brazilian samba, Afro-Cuban son and African American spirituals, blues, jazz
and new soul into stomping beats, thick harmonies and rich rhythms. Creating a
soul that is uniquely Zili Misik, the troupe takes its name from a Haitian spiritual
entity, “Ezili” who is envisaged as mother, lover and warrior. Lyrically sliding
seamlessly from English to Kreyol to Portuguese to Spanish, Zili offers a rare,
euphoric, pan-global feast for the senses.
12:25 | Meta and The Cornerstones
By way of pure musical
genius and the spirit of
humility, Meta has been
proclaimed the next
“African reggae voice.”
Fusing Afro-pop, hip-hop,
rock and soul music with
lyrics in French, English,
Wolof and Fulani, Meta’s
unforgettable vocals soar
amidst the support of the
incomparable sounds of his
band, The Cornerstones. Channeling the roots of reggae while breathing new
life into the genre, Meta and The Cornerstones offer what critics are calling, a
“soul-pounding spiritual experience” for their live audiences. Born in Senegal,
West Africa, Meta grew up listening to reggae on the radio. Performing on the
streets and stages of Dakar, by 2000 he was heralded as a pioneering voice for the
culture of hip-hop in West Africa. Soon thereafter, Meta moved to New York City
where he formed his Brooklyn-based band, a melting pot of musicians hailing
from Israel, Texas, Japan, and Jamaica -- ethnic influences which are each clearly
expressed in the repertoire. The first African artist to be signed to the iconic VP
Records, their second album, 2013’s “Ancient Power” features Damian Marley and
was recorded at the mythical Tuff Gong Studio in Kingston, JA. Their phenomenal
and passionate music finds them traversing further oceans and borders, and ROTR
is proud to be the first to host them on the West Coast.
2014 Reggae on the River
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3:40 | Jah9
5:00 | Gyptian
Flaming hot, Janine “Jah9”
Cunningham is part of the
“Roots Revival” movement
being forwarded by her
brethren Chronixx, Kabaka
Pyramid and Protoje. Her
signature style of singing
over a blend of classic jazz
melodies and reggae riddims
with overtones of dub was
created at her underground
poetry shows in Kingston, JA.
Born in 1983 near Montego Bay, this choir singing, introspective daughter of
a preacher and a social worker experienced a spiritual, afrocentric and artistic
awakening while studying psychology at the University of the West Indies.
Like many of the Jamaican new wave, she came up through the live music
and performance poetry scene rather than chanting on a sound. Linking
up with producers such as Rory “Stone Love” and Don Corleon to produce
magnificently powerful roots anthems, Jah9 has the cool style of Billie Holiday
and confidence of Sizzla Kalonji. A yoga teacher, Jah9 captures audiences with
her lyrical prowess about healthy living, delivering hard hitting, imaginative
messages promoting social justice, gender equality, and matters of the heart.
Her bold 2013 debut album, “New Name” has added new fuel to the reggae
fire and its tracks are already in heavy rotation on the airwaves. Europe has
booked up this hot new artist and we at ROTR are lucky to have this be her
first Northern California festival appearance.
There are layers and multiple
facets to this velvet-voiced artist.
First there’s the conscious reggae
singer who listeners first came to
know from his breakthrough hit
“Serious Times” (2005) that went
Gold in the U.S. and catapulted
him to the forefront of reggae
music worldwide. Then there’s the
champion lover with the signature
growl, who captivated females
worldwide with his crooning on
“Hold You,” the sultry island pop
smash that topped multiple charts
globally in 2010 for up to 29 weeks.
A remix of the song was done by Nicki Minaj, resulting in his first official crossover
success. Born (1983) Wendel Beneto Edwards and raised in the countryside of St.
Andrew, Gyptian grew up singing in the choir with his Seventh Day Adventist
mother by day and at night, wowing the masses on his Rastafarian father, Basil
Edwards’ sound system. Nicknamed from his habit of tying a shirt around his
head and twisting his chin hair like an Egyptian pharaoh, Gyptian was introduced
to Jamaica’s talent scouts/producers, Ravin Wong and Earl Chinna Smith who
helped him hone his sound. Arguably the male reggae artist with the most
sex-appeal, Gyptian’s 2006 debut album, “My Name is Gyptian” earned him
comparisons to the great Gregory Isaacs for his mature and conscious reggae
and lovers rock. Since then he has dominated the charts with a slew of hit singles
including crossover hits, “Beautiful Lady”(2006), “I Can Feel Your Pain” (2008),
and the infectiously catchy, “Nah Let Go” (2010). A Soul Train award winner for
Best Artist, Gyptian’s fourth album, “Sex, Love, and Reggae” (2013), featuring
Major Lazer and Estelle among others, takes the listener from dancehall to soca
to global pop sounds. For Gyptian, who has also collaborated in the past with
Mary J.Blige, Busta Rhymes, and Snoop Lion, it’s all about versatility and keeping
the door open to old and new listeners alike.
Jah 9 captures audien ces
with her l yrical prowess
about health y livin g,
deliverin g hard hittin g,
imagin ative m essages
promotin g social justice,
gen der equality, an d matters
of the heart.
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Mateel Community Center
Lost & Found at Info Booth
and Security Central
6:35 | Israel Vibration with Roots Radics
8:30 | Alpha Blondy & The Solar System
Mention the name Israel Vibration in reggae circles and watch the warmth
of recognition and appreciation of anyone who has seen or heard this very
special vocal group. For over three decades the positivity emanating from
this group has been spellbinding audiences, critics and DJs alike. Cecil “Skelly”
Spence and Lascelle “Wiss” Bulgin were both born in Jamaica and met as
children with Polio
at Kingston’s Mona
Rehabilitation Center
in which they were
placed because of
their families’ limited
resources and need
for specialized care.
There, the boys
discovered Rastafari,
found strength and
willpower through
their faith and began
composing and singing songs. The expression of their spirituality and stance
on issues relating to the rehab center caused them to be expelled from the
institution, putting them on the streets of the capital city singing for their
suppers for nearly six years. However, by their early 20s they had become a
force to be reckoned with, and their prayers were answered when members
of the Twelve Tribes of Israel agreed to finance their debut single. The
group’s exquisite dread sound and militant cultural themes made an instant
impression and they found themselves on stage opening for the likes of Bob
Marley and Dennis Brown. Albums “Same Song” (1976), “Pay the Piper” (1999),
“Jericho” (2000), and singles such as “Cool and Calm” (1988) and “Rudeboy
Shufflin” (1997) are just drops in the bucket of what has been nothing short
of a mesmerizing career. Their most recent album, “Reggae Knights” (2010)
finds them unendingly popular and an ever-vibrant live act as well. Since the
beginning, Israel Vibration has been fully committed to singing honestly from
their hearts with the true spirit of universality. Accompanying Skelly and Wiss
for their Sunday night performance will be Roots Radics, the band credited
for having developed and recorded a majority of the rub-a-dub riddims of
the early-80s which were the precursor to the island’s fertile dancehall period.
A commander of the great
African groove, Cote d’Ivoire’s
Alpha Blondy is among the
world’s most popular reggae
artists. Rising to fame with the
release of his debut album, “Jah
Glory” (1983) with his 12-piece
band the Solar System, Blondy
delivers a reggae beat with
a distinctive African cast.
Calling himself an African
Rasta, Blondy creates Jahcentered anthems promoting
morality, love, peace and social
consciousness. Discovering
reggae music in 1977 while
attending a Burning Spear
concert in New York City, Blondy was inspired by the powerful dub rhythms
he heard and began singing with various local groups, soon becoming a major
star on the Abidjan music scene. Reggae, which up until then, had been thought
of as a typically Jamaican sound, was seen for the first time to be successfully
reinterpreted in Ivorian style. Blondy’s rebellious stance, his excitable personality
and his endless supply of energy inspired Cote d’Ivoire to adopt Blondy as
their own national version of Bob Marley. This revered status received a kind
of unofficial confirmation when the famous Jamaican beatmaker/producer,
Clive Hunt encouraged Blondy to sing in his African languages and create his
own style. Blondy’s path was set; he flew out to Kingston in 1984 to record
the title track of his new album, “Cocody Rock” with Marley’s former backing
group, The Wailers, and he has continued to reinvent himself in each of his 20
plus albums ever since. Singing in Dioula, French, English, Hebrew, and Arabic,
incorporating the call and response qualities of African music, the synthesizing
beats of Jamaica and the strutting guitars from American funk-rock, Blondy uses
the microphone to speak as a prophet for Africa. His 1991 album, “Masada” went
Gold in France and his 2002 album, “Merci” earned him a Grammy nomination
in the States. Ultra prolific in recent years, 2007’s “Jah Victory” through 2011’s
“Vision” prove he’s still in his prime- and his latest, Mystic Power (2013) on VP
Records is further reassurance that Alpha Blondy is a symbol of hope and the
most important living African reggae artist working today.
2014 Reggae on the River
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Official Sponsor of Reggae on the River
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Mateel Community Center
The Reggae Brew Barn
Conveniently located at the back of the concert bowl, the Reggae
Brew Barn will feature over 10 brews from Lagunitas, Eel River,
Anderson Valley, Ninkasi, Ace Cider,
Mendocino and many more. Fine
local wine and refreshing mimosas will
also be available. And, in an effort to
shrink our environmental footprintand also bring you a groovy ROTR
pint - this year we are proud to be
partnering with Klean Kanteen to
offer a solution to single-use plastic
cups. Made of 18/8, food-grade
stainless steel, the 16oz Steel Pint Cup
is durable, versatile, reusable, and dishwasher safe. It won’t break like
glass pints and won’t fill the landfill either. We will have a limited number
of Reggae On The River Steel Pint Cups available for purchase, so stop
by Reggae Brew Barn to get yours before they are gone. They feature
a custom Reggae On The River logo and are priced at $10 each or $14
filled with the beer of your choice.
5
Garberville
Shelter Cove
Eureka
Laytonville
Reggae on the River is broadcast
live on your local community
radio station KMUD. 91.1
SoHum. 88.1 NoHum, 90.3
Mendo, 99.5 Shelter Cove. Tune
in during the event to hear main
stage acts, and artist interviews
live from the KMUD press tent!
KMUD is volunteer driven listener
supported radio and is proud to
work with the Mateel to deliver
this exciting event to your radio!
Tune in at your campsite at
91.1FM!
Leave No Trace
2014 Reggae on the River
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Welcome to
KidLandia at
Reggae On The River®!
Arts & Crafts
Activities Tent
Offering ongoing creative arts
opportunities for kids and parents,
this popular tent will get your artistic
juices flowing as we make costumes,
instruments, and other keepsakes.
Circus Nature Tent
Look for the rainbow circus tent and expect the unexpected with impromptu
performances by clowns, jugglers, stilt walkers, musicians, and more.
Hosted by A’OK The Clown, this is the place for a wide array of creative play.
Jump House
Offered free of charge and supervised
by our event crew, the Jump House
is a favorite attraction in KidLandia.
* Please note: children must be
accompanied by an adult to
participate in all KidLandia activities.
In Memoriam: Tim Olsen
This community cherishes
our local fire departmentsthe wonderful professionals
and well-trained volunteersfighting to protect this
beautiful area. Sadly, we lost
one of our very best earlier
this year when Briceland
Fire Chief and Reggae On
The River’s Critical Incident
Commander, Tim Olsen, died
suddenly of a heart attack on
March 20th. Tim was a tireless
professional and volunteer who served in many capacities in the medical
and emergency response community throughout Humboldt Countyincluding as head of the Mateel Community Center’s Critical Incident
Team for Reggae On The River® and the Summer Arts & Music Festival.
More than a thousand people came out to honor Tim’s life at memorials
held in Fortuna and his home community of Briceland, truly showing
the love Humboldt County has for this man. Tim was a warm-hearted,
extraordinary person and a consummate emergency services professional
who will be deeply missed.
JahMed Tent Offers Earplugs For Children
Why ear protection for your little ones? The cumulative effects of conditions which cause acquired hearing loss in children is largely due
to noise exposure. NIHL (Noise Initiated Hearing Loss) is 100% preventable.
This year, JahMed received grant monies from Humboldt Sponsors, Inc and McLean Foundation for Humboldt County infant and children
hearing protection. Supplies are limited- information is not, so stop by the JahMed Tent to find out more.
JahMed, Inc. is a non-profit medical organization whose roots began at ROTR in 1996. Part of their mission involves educating the public
on health concerns. More information can be found at www.jahmed.org.
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Mateel Community Center
2014 Reggae on the River
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100%• organic
deli • bakery • espresso bar
bulk • sushi • beer
wine • grass fed meats • vegan & gluten free friendly
www.northcoast.coop
811 I St. in Arcata (707) 822-5947 | 25 4 th St. in Eureka (707) 443-6027
28
Mateel Community Center
2014 Reggae on the River
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■
■
■
■
■
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Serious Felonies
Cultivation/Drug Possession
DUI & DMV Hearings
Domestic Violence
Juvenile Delinquency
Pre-Arrest Counseling
FREE CONSULTATION
Kathleen Bryson
Attorney
732 5th Street, Suite C, Eureka, CA 95501
[email protected]
www.humboldtjustice.com
707.268.8600
Former Humboldt County Deputy District Attorney
Member of National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML)
Member California DUI Lawyers Association
CONSULTATIONS AVAILABLE IN GARBERVILLE BY APPOINTMENT
Roving
Rasta Poet
Look for Joaquin Andres
as he moves about the
festival grounds, reciting
Rasta poetry from his
latest work Rucksack
Rambles.
PROPANE SALES & SERVICE
Pl ease
Recycl e!
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Mateel Community Center
2014 Reggae on the River
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Thank You Sponsors!
M Ic ron i z e d
F e r t i l z e r s
5
Garberville
Shelter Cove
Eureka
Laytonville