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Island Festival
2007
FRIDAY JUNE 22, 2007
11:00 am Festival
begins
�
11:30am Gypsi
Fari Trio
|
Originally
formed in 1977 by current members
Vincent Huckaby (bass), Floyid Donaldson (percusionist) and Leroy
Webster (lead vocals), David Smith " D ruff 1 " joined in 1997
, ( drums) and Elmo Preston ( guitarist� ) " guitar killer
" joined in 2001. The Gypsi Fari
Band has traveled the world and
recorded at Tuff Gong Studios in Kingston, with legendary Bob Marley and
the Wailers. Receiving the kind of acclaim in Jamaica usually reserved
for only the best "home grown" artist." |
�
5:00pm�Gypsi
Fari Trio Featuring Fada Wayne
Fada Wayne began taking center stage as a
dynamic vocalist at the age of ten in his Jamaican home.� Working
for several years with diverse bands in Indiana, he broke out on his own
in 1998.� He excites the crowd with dancehall, roots, and hip-hop
styles.�� |
 |
6:45pm� Stash
Recent
accomplishments include:

- Being
nominated for (2) Detroit Music Awards 2006
- Best
World/Reggae/Ska Music Act - Stash
- Best
Singer Songwriter - Scott SKilz
- Being
nominated for (3) Detroit Music Awards 2007
- Best
World/Reggae/Ska Act - Stash
- World/Reggae/Ska
Recording - Stash
- Best
singer songwriter - Scott SKilz
-
HighTimes
unsigned band of the week - March '06
-
Opening
for national SKUNK RECORDS act LONG BEACH SHORTBUS (Sublime
without the lead singer)
-
A
small yet growing distribution deal with an indie distributor in
Japan
-
A
feature article KUDOS MUSIC MAGAZINE London, England
�
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Stash
will blow your mind! Fresh, danceable, fun, melodic reggae and
hip-hop/funk with crisply-delivered rhymes and sharp musicianship to
match. If you're not on the dance floor halfway through the first song
of the set, you're not alive.
The members of Stash have worked and shared stages with many varied
acts, some of which are Micheal Winslow, Hush, Black Magic Crossing,
Sponge, Thornetta Davis, Atomic Fireballs, Kid Rock, Howling Diablos,
The Articles, 40oz DICK, Uncle Cracker, Groove Collection, members of
George Clinton's P-Funk Allstars and many more.
Stash has been performing to excited audiences in the Midwest; Chicago,
Detroit, Kalamazoo, Lansing, and Flint. They are currently planning on
travel to Florida, Arizona, Colorado, Texas, and California in the
Spring.
Location:
Detroit: Michigan
�
|
8:15pm Jus
Goodie
Jus Goodie has been playing consistently in the Mountain
regions for the last 5 years and recognized as a top Reggae act this
side of the Mississippi. They have toured with the legendary Sugar
Minot, played many national festivals and have had the chance to open
for Culture, Sister Carol, Sizzla, Damion Marley, Matisyahu, Luciano,
and Burning Spear to name a few.
The vocal qualities are what set this band aside from all the rest,
complete with 2 amazing female backup vocalists and the incredible
energy and catchy sound of lead singer, Jus Goodie, this band rocks any
house and keeps people on their feet all night long! |
 |
�
�
10:00pm Jamaican
Reggae Legend Winston Jarrett
Winston
"Flames" Jarrett, one of reggae music's true pioneers, has
witnessed Jamaica's music transform from the ska explosion of the early
60's through the vibrant periods of rock steady and reggae.� Not
content to merely watch this musical revolution, Jarrett proceeded to
form one of Jamaica's most popular groups, Alton Ellis and the Flames.�
In the early 1970's Jarrett recorded over a hundred songs under his own
name and pseudonyms released both in Jamaica and England, working with
Joe Gibbs, Lee Scratch Perry and Duke Reid.�� Jarrett's music
has been released under the name Righteous Holmes, the Soul Stars, T-Man
and the T-Bones, Adam and Eve, as well as his own labels, Attra, and
Human Rights and Humble . . .
� In 1997, Winston made
his first visit to America, where he made a strong impression on local
reggae audiences in a series of guest appearances. On stage, 'Flames'
projects the confidence and authority of a veteran reggae
soldier.�
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12:00am
�Zion Lion
 |
Zion Lion Reggae Band is the
"baddest" band to hit Kalamazoo.��� Zion Lion
is a combination of several bands from the Kalamazoo area who crossed
each others path along the way and decided to form what we believe to be
the right mix of reggae, zouk, soukous, and afo-latin influences.��
Nathan Ndjiharine
(guitar and vocals) grew up under Apartheid rule during Namibia's
occupation by South Africa.� During this time, he was influenced
very heavily by Bob Marley's music and the positive message of
liberating Africa from the colonial powers and saw reggae as the music
for the liberation struggle.� Nathan began playing guitar at the
early age of 12 and played in several bands in Namibia with home-town
friends as well as other musicians from South Africa.� In New York,
during the 80's and early 90's Ndjiharine joined Yelling Beat and Global
Warming world beat bands and played the local club circuit.� He is
also a founding member of Yoroka, a West Michigan world beat music
group.� In addition to African musicians such as Diblo Dibala, Nene
Chakou, and Jackson Kaujeus, Ndjiharine is influenced by American
classic rock and soul as well as Motown, Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, Bunny
Wailer, and Burning Spear. |
Spinning Between Sets��DJ Assane

�
�
SATURDAY JUNE 23, 2007�
�
11:00am Festival
begins
�
11:30am Gypsi
Fari Trio
|
Originally
formed in 1977 by current members
Vincent Huckaby (bass), Floyid Donaldson (percusionist) and Leroy
Webster
(lead vocals), David Smith " D ruff 1 " joined in 1997 , (
drums) and Elmo Preston ( guitarist� ) " guitar killer "
joined in 2001. The Gypsi Fari Band
has traveled the world and recorded at Tuff Gong Studios in Kingston,
with legendary Bob Marley and the Wailers. Receiving the kind of acclaim
in Jamaica usually reserved for only the best "home grown"
artist." |
�
2:00pm
Family Workshop� With Dunuya Drum and Dance Troupe
Dunuya Drum and Dance is a multicultural ensemble
dedicated to fostering community spirit through the rhythms, music, and
dance of West Africa and the Diaspora. Dunuya was formed in Kalamazoo in
2005 by core members/percussionists Calvin "Shangojinmi" Ruff
and Carolyn Koebel, and now includes dancers Heather and Kama Mitchell,
as well as guest artists. Musical journeys encompass Belize, Cuba,
Brazil, Haiti, West African traditions, and original material.
An Island Festival tradition, kids bring your parents and
participate in this informative and interactive workshop with some the extremely
talented dance troupe located right here in Kalamazoo!
|
 |
�
4:00pm�Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad
� |
Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad is relentless reggae
sound. Roots reggae and experimental dub. North American International
Body Music.
From New York City to Washington DC; throughout New England,
Pennsylvania, Virginia, New Jersey, and Delaware; through the Midwest,
Colorado, Omaha and everywhere else - Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad is
bringing heavy vibration to well pleased rooms. In music halls, schools,
bar rooms, and basements... indoors & outdoors, night & day,
GPGDS is performing original music for all to find ground in.
Giant Panda�s explosive live show and impeccable musicianship are a
force to be reckoned with. Consistently rewarding weekly events hosted
by GPGDS have helped the band earn a strong following. Giant Panda
continues to put on concerts in their hometown of Rochester, NY
featuring modern American powerhouses, Dub Trio, Toubab Krewe, &
others. Giant Panda is honored to have shared bills with reggae greats
The Wailers and The Meditations. GPGDS have been joined on stage by
members of John Brown�s Body, Umphrey's McGee, String Cheese Incident,
as well as Lou Lou from Thievery Corporation with whom the band also has
a side project called Sharp Sword.
The band�s first record Slow
Down, was recorded at Ithaca, NY's legendary Pyramid Sound Studio.
Featuring Nate Richardson (formerly of John Brown's Body, Sim Redmond
Band) on keyboards, "The album's 12 cuts work on a nearly
physiological level to calm you down and cheer you up" says Tim
Karan of Rochester Insider.
Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad is James Searl, Matthew O'Brian,
Christopher O'Brian, Rachel Orke, Dylan Savage, Buddy Honeycutt, and
Aaron Lipp. Travelling with the group in early 2007 are Josh Williams
(video artist), and Michael Matties (live sound/recording engineer). |
�
6:00pm
�The Afromotive
A thundering 10-piece ensemble from Asheville, NC, hot off
their SELL OUT performance at THE ORANE PEEL on Dec 31, 2006. The
Afromotive is escorting Afrobeat music into the modern age and taking
the dance floor with them. Having created an enormous buzz in the
Southeast, thanks to major performances at Smilefest 2006, Lake Eden
Arts Festival, high profile opening slots for Spearhead, Cyro Baptista,
the Chicago Afrobeat Project, and a guest appearance by Erykah Badu. The
Afromotive are taking their high energy, multicultural musical
experience on the road. Fueled by a three-piece horn section and an
unstoppable rhythm section, The Afromotive's musical dance excursions
are steered by bandleader Kevin Meyame.
Originally from Cote D'Ivoire, West Africa, Kevin has performed
throughout West Africa and France with drum and dance troupe Tanably.
Singing in French, English, and his native language of Baoule, as well
as providing polyrhythms on djembe, Kevin adds an authentically African
flavor to their nu-afrobeat sound. The combination of Kevins cultural
and musical background along with the jazz and classically trained
musicians of The Afromotive has created a synthesized sound that crosses
musical and ethnic boundaries. The Afromotive roll into town on their
latest tour and aim to please. If you are without dance shoes, sneakers
will do. |
 |
8:45pm� Mystic
Roots Band
 |
WINNER of the 2005 Los Angeles Music Award
for Best Pop/Reggae Album, Mystic Roots Band is serving up an original
style based in reggae, hip-hop, and dancehall, with overtones of rock,
funk, and ska. MRB is consistently placed at the top of playlists by DJs
& listeners of all musical genres. MRB's own national primetime TV
special on TLC reached half a million viewers. This Chico-born, now San
Diego based group embraces the nature of roots reggae wholeheartedly and
perform it confidently. The list of bands that they have shared the
stage with reads like a "who's who" of reggae music, including
The Wailers, Pato Banton, Gregory Isaacs, Jimmy Cliff, as well as
Jurassic 5, Long Beach Dub All Stars, Sir Mix-a-Lot, Ozomatli, and
Digital Underground to name just a few. Having independently sold close
to 10,000 albums, topping Amazon.com's chart of independent artist
sales, and killing music download sites with their underground hit
"Pass" (go check for yourself right now!), it's no wonder why
Mystic Roots Band was recently voted #1 band in Playboy Magazine's #1
party college town, Chico California, and was TOP RANKED in both Reggae
and Hip-Hop categories on myspace.com with over 30 million members for
over six months - and still going strong.
Fans describe MRB's style as a unique combination of No Doubt, Sublime,
The Police, Sean Paul, The Fugees and Cypress Hill with the spirit and
consciousness of Bob Marley and Spearhead. This diverse sound enables
MRB to continually produce dynamic, cutting edge songs that fans are
immediately drawn to. When coming to an MRB concert you are guaranteed
more than just music for your ears, but rather a high-energy and
powerful experience you'll never forget.
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�
10:00pm�Pato
Banton & The Mystic Roots Band
A Pato Banton concert is an event not to be missed and
an experience not to be forgotten.
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 as live theatre where
no show is alike and audience members become participants in the
experience. Pato dialogues with the crowd on a range of topics including
current day events and spiritual freedom while keeping the vibes 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. �Sometimes
Pato invites his fans to join him in a prayer circle after the show,
where some have cried while sharing their stories of contemplated
suicide, isolation after losing a loved one, struggles with substance
abuse and how their personal connection with Pato has given them the
strength to �Stay Positive� & �Never Give In.�
�The following Pato Banton story charts his rise from the most
disadvantaged of circumstances in his youth, through a long and
successful career as a world renowned reggae legend, back to his roots
with a commitment to work for the benefit of young people in his
community, and finally on a mission to spread the �Good News�
& �Positive Vibrations� to the �Now Generation�.
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�
12:00am� Mystic
Rebel-Celebrating Bob Marley and The Wailers


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Mystic Rebel is
a soul shakedown family, performing an amazingly accurate and compelling
live tribute to Reggae music and the forefathers of the genre, Bob
Marley ,Peter Tosh and the
Wailers. The PA based band has become one of the most talked
about and sought after live tribute acts on the East Coast. The group
has a unique ability and desire to recreate the Trenchtown sound
and experience, with an exciting show that features actual setlist
replays, performances of classic albums in entirety, with a
level of musical authenticity and attention to detail that has
quickly put them in a league with other touring tributes such as Phix (Phish),
Dark Star Orchestra (Grateful Dead) The Machine (Pink Floyd) and Badfish
(Sublime).�
Their energetic show is no lookalike novelty act,
but rather an extremely soulful and talented group of singers and
musicians that play classic Reggae from the heart. The live group, which
began as simple Wailer worship has, in a short time grown into a
powerful unit that features superb singing,deep grroves , drum chants,
an inspiring Rock Steady feel,and a highly visible family vibration .
------- Online magazine Merge Digital.com, who reviewed the 2006
Bethlehem Musikfest voted Mystic Rebel Top Ten
"Best of the Fest" list and said, "...the vocals were
dead on." The Woodstock Times said "...there are times when
only a smokin' cover band quenches your thirst ... Mystic
Rebel is one...". The Wilkes-Barre Weekender commented "...you
won't want to miss this show mon." Online reviewer Judianne Triglia
called them "...the perfect combination of mellow and funky...they
made me want to dance, smoke and sleep at the same time. And they didn't
play the usual Marley best-ofs, but really got into to some great lesser
known material. The crowd loved them."�
The band has recently appeared with Jah Works, John
Brown's Body, The Meditations, The Itals, Moses Livingston, Berklee Bob
Marley Ensemble, Ras Attitude, Batch, Jah Cutta, Spiritual Rez, Ihi Yahn
Ihi Arkestra and many more------The key ingredients ...the musicians,
all sharing a deep love and respect for Reggae, family style teamwork
adventure, with a strong commitment to spiritual livity and keeping with
the oneness that exists in the mystic messages contained within the
Wailers music and lyrics.�
The word is out... Mystic Rebel is
the next big tribute thing.---------- ----This is a solid group with
real depth and style, evident in any of the many dub jams that occur
inside classic songs like "Rebel Music", "Positive
Vibration" and "Want More." With vocal and musical freedom
to interpret the material, Mystic Rebel often surprise with unique
arrangements. From crowd pleaser sing-alongs like "Redemption
Song" and "Kinky Reggae" to classic Tosh songs
"African" and "Equal Rights "to older favorites like
"Small Axe" "Mellow Mood" and "Caution"
they always deliver. This is a show that will leave you smiling,
dancing, singing and shouting out for your favorite songs, breathless
with Irie. |
�
Spinning Between Sets��DJ
African Teacher
REGGAE STREET WSND 88.9 FM - South Bend The African Teacher & Jah Dave @
the Controls Saturday 10 PM - Midnight
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