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| Today is the CD release of GROUNDATION "The Next Generation" GROUNDATION is one of a few groups comprised of jazz influenced musicians that play Reggae ! They have created their own style and have been developing it for 20 years ! GROUNDATION "The Next Generation" CD RELEASE - September 21st, 2018 First formed in 1998, GROUNDATION returned in 2018 after a three year hiatus with new members, brand new music and a true-to-form improvisational Reggae/Jazz experience! It's a unique sound and progressive fusion style that fans have enjoyed for two decades on the biggest stages all over the world & in major international festivals of world music and jazz (Montreux Jazz Festival, Nancy Jazz Pulsations, Nice Jazz Festival, Summerjam, Thau Festival, Baco Reggae Festival). The nine-piece band creates an altogether new reggae sound featuring swirling jazz/funk inspired horns, dub influence, stout Latin and African based polyrhythms and soulful background vocals. ABOUT HARRISON STAFFORD - founding member, lead singer and guitarist Harrison formalized his musical education at Sonoma State University (SSU) completing a degree in Jazz Performance, where he honed his skills for composing, arranging & producing. After that, Harrison went on to teach The History of Reggae Music at SSU before starting his own musical career that comprises 8 studio albums and tours to over 40 countries across the globe with GROUNDATION. The musicians : HARRISON STAFFORD – founding member, lead singer and guitarist WILL BLADES - piano/organ ISAIAH PALMER- bass JAKE SHANDING - drums BRADY SHAMMAR - background vocals ALECA SMITH - background vocals EDUARDO GROSS - guitar CRAIG BERLETTI - piano & trumpet ROGER COX - saxophone Why GROUNDATION has something to do with JAZZ ? Jazz is part of the foundation to which reggae music stands on; just like country music and R&B it is the nutrients in the soil that grew reggae. Beginning with the Alpha Boys School in Kingston from the 1940s and 1950s jazz music is how Jamaican musicians learned music and how to play an instrument; and from there you have future members of the Skatalites like Roland Alphonso, Tommy McCook, and the great Don Drummond. In the beginning ska was created by Jamaican jazz musicians who approached the music with their own unique style and sound. Without jazz music there could not be reggae; jazz came first. -The first argument is musical and when we listen to the discography of Groundation, we feel that the sound is a mix of Jazz & Reggae. There is a lot of solos in this band, like in the jazz idiom. -Harrison is eager to get back to creating this unique and dynamic sound, which allows musical freedom, exploration and creativity like no other form. The sound comes in part from Harrison's early childhood hearing Duke Ellington and Miles Davis from his father & grandfather who were both Jazz performers. -Harrison & the band are all alumnus of Sonoma State University's famed music program. -Their concerts utilize live improvisation in classic jazz fashion and are renowned for their high energy, communion-type atmosphere. -The band uses only analog instruments and recording equipment rather than digital. -Groundation integrates reggae with the harmonies, improvisational elements and rhythms of jazz with subtlety, bringing a new breath to both styles. GROUNDATION hopes to convince many jazz fans to embark on their unique musical journey. TOUR DATES 04/10 KABARDOCK - REUNION ISLAND 05/10 KABARDOCK - REUNION ISLAND 06/10 ONE LIVE MUSIK FESTIVAL - MAURICIUS ISLAND 10/10 THÉÂTRE LINO VENTURA - NICE 12/10 NANCY JAZZ PULSATION - NANCY 13/10 VERNIER SUR ROCK - VERNIER 14/10 FREIHEIZ - MUNICH 15/10 YAMM - BERLIN 17/10 TRANSBORDEUR - LYON 18/10 TIVOLI - UTRECHT 19/10 FESTIVAL DES LIBERTÉS - BRUSSELS 20/10 FESTIVAL REGGAE TEMPLE - ISSOUDUN 21/10 LES BULLES SONORES - LIMOUX 23/10 APOLO - BARCELONA 24/10 ROCKSTORE - MONTPELLIER 25/10 LE BIKINI - TOULOUSE 26/10 LE VIGEAN - EYSINES 27/10 BACO REGGAE FESTIVAL - ZÉNITH LA VILLETTE - PARIS 28/10 L'AÉRONEF - LILLE write your comments about the article :: © 2018 Jazz News :: home page |