Ziggy Marley in concert at The Ridgefield Playhouse, Connecticut on Friday, September 10

Former leader of Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers, Ziggy’s second solo album Love is My Religion, won best Reggae album and was his fourth Grammy. His popular singles include “True To Myself”, “Drive”, “People Get Ready” and “Tomorrow People”. Ziggy Marley will perform at The Ridgefield Playhouse on Friday, September 10, at 8 p.m.

He is the creator of albums that are geared to be enjoyed by families, and Family Time features his mother Rita Marley as well as his “extended” family member Paul Simon, Willie Nelson and Jack Johnson. This album won a Grammy® for Best Musical Album for Children. The songs take the listener on a journey of original tunes that introduce today’s youngest generation to music that parents appreciate as both easy to listen to and full of redeeming messages of love, responsibility, unity and freedom. In his own words, Ziggy says: “Usually my songs mean more than one thing. Family Time is my family, your family and the world’s family”.

A philanthropist, Ziggy is donating the proceeds from the sale of Family Time to Chepstowe Basic School in Port Antonio, Jamaica. He supports Little Kids Rock, a nonprofit organization that provides free musical instruments and lessons to children in public schools in the U.S. 

For tickets ($67.50) and information about The Ridgefield Playhouse, call or visit the box office at 203-438-5795, or buy adult tickets online at ridgefieldplayhouse.org. The Ridgefield Playhouse is a not-for-profit performing arts center located at 80 East Ridge, parallel to Main Street, Ridgefield, CT

Gramps & Peetah Morgan Completes Successful Solo European Tour

NEW YORK - Reggae singer, Gramps and his brother Peetah Morgan are still on a musical high after completing a very successful, solo tour of Europe that saw them delivering spectacular performances in Zurich, Switzerland; Poland; Bersenbruck, Germany; Oslo, Norway; Uppsala, Sweden; Schlossplatz, Germany; Amsterdam, Holland; Cantazaro and Lecce, Italy. 

“The shows were all well attended and everyone was very satisfied with our solo performances. A few fans even commented that they were shocked, as they did not know I could sing so good. To be honest, to hear fans sing along to songs from my debut album was refreshing and is an endorsement of the hard work that I have put in over the last 12 months” the reggae crooner said in an interview. 

The start of European tour came on the heels of a very successful performance at Reggae Sumfest in Montego Bay that saw Gramps enthralling fans for well over 30 minutes with hits like "Come Back To Bed," "Time" and "Wash the Tears." So well received was his performance, that fans in the second city have since dubbed him “the Beres of this era.” 

“Beres is a very special artiste who brings his A game whenever he performs. To be compared with an artiste of his caliber means a lot to me. We all know Beres is not just a gifted singer but he is a talented songwriter who brings love and healing to many relationships and that is just what I’m trying to do with my music” he said.

Capleton and Anthony B to Perform in Zimbabwe?

The Zimbabwe Herald has reported that Capleton, Anthony B and other big names  are expected in Zimbabwe very soon.

"First Akon and Sean Paul will be making an entrance in the capital next month, and also whispers going around say it won’t be just the two greats but also there will be a surprise act within the crew.

Although the organisers of the massive gig are keeping their aces close to their chests, I am reliably informed a third name will grace our country during the Akon, Sean Paul show."

On to Capleton and Anthony B's appearance. The Zimbabwe Herald also reports;

"In my earlier communication I had said that Capleton will be coming with Anthony B but due to some new develoments King Shango will be on his own whilst B will be coming later.

King Shango will be perfoming locally on the 16th of October whilst Anthony B will be touching down a week later for a show in Harare."

It would be epic for Zimbabwe and its people if these arrangements work out. The country has been showing an insatiable passion for Reggae music over the years and what would be better than to have the most notable names in Reggae music performing for them live.

To date; there is still a buzz about Sizzla's stellar performances in Zimbabwe and Ghana.

An All-Stars Reggae Line-Up for This Year's New Jersey International Reggae Fest

New Jersians are in for a treat at this, the tenth anniversary of the New Jersey International Reggae Fest. This is an outdoor event; which in the past years attracted between 3000 to 5000 people. It will take place at the Edison Park Fast complex, across the street from the Prudential Center.

In the past it featured Reggae icons such as Beres Hammond and Barrington Levy as well as stars from the worlds of dancehall (Sean Paul, Beenie Man, Bounty Killer, Capleton), soca (Kevin Lyttle) and calypso (Machel Montano).

This year, the organizers has taken on a more roots-reggae lineup. The headliners include; Marcia Griffiths, Cocoa Tea, Freddie McGregor, Tarrus Riley and Gramps Morgan.

“This year we are trying to do something more grass-roots than some of the dancehall of past years,” says Rankine. “We’re trying to create a better family environment with a family-friendly artist lineup.”

Other performers will be Cham, Gyptian, Laden and  rising reggae star Romain Virgo.

There will be food and crafts vendors and, in keeping with the new family focus, Rankine has also made arrangements for kids’ play areas.

Bunny Wailer Will Not Make it to the Montreal Reggae Fest

After much speculation the Montreal Gazette has reported that Reggae legend, Bunny Wailer will not be making it to this year's installment of the Montreal Reggae Festival.

"The reggae legend famously bailed on the Montreal International Jazz Festival in 1998; this time, he failed to pick up a visa left for him by reggae festival organizers at the Canadian Embassy in London, and is not returning phone calls, according to a press release sent out by the fest Saturday afternoon. Wailer's previous no-show had been the subject of discussion in some interviews in local publications leading up to this weekend. Veteran reggae band Third World will replace Wailer as Sunday night's headlining act. People who had bought tickets for Sunday's performance only (as opposed to weekend passes) may obtain refunds at point of purchase, or from EB Resto-Bar. Call 514-482-7921."


Bunny Wailer is a founding and only surviving member of the original 'Wailers' trio which also included Peter Tosh and Bob Marley.

Lollapalooza 2010 with Jimmy Cliff

Headlining the Playstation stage on Friday at Lollapalooza was reggae legend Jimmy Cliff. While he may not be the most well known reggae star, his contributions to popular soundtracks such as Cool Runnings and The Harder They Come have helped cement his anthems into the minds of even the youngest attendee at the fest. The fact he’s been covered by everyone from The Clash to Bruce Springsteen doesn’t hurt his credentials either.

With an incredibly large backing band of proficient players it was readily apparent that Cliff’s set at Lollapalooza would be pitch perfect. Thankfully, this was not an unfair assumption.

Bob Marley's son Julian Ensures Father's love of Reggae lives on

REGGAE'S biggest ambassador Bob Marley pioneered the music genre, bringing it into the mainstream. His legacy lives on in his sons Ziggy, Stephen, Damian, Rohan and Julian.

You can experience the Marley magic for yourself as Julian performs at Exeter Pheonix on Sunday.

The 35-year-old has dedicated his life to his father's work spreading reggae around the world. I caught up with Julian while he was touring the UK with his band The Uprising.

"My music is spiritual and positive for the mind," Julian told me, speaking with a think Jamaican accent. "Reggae is a great music to carry a message. My songs talk about injustice, but have a positive energy"

Despite growing up in London, Julian has spent much of his life in Jamaica.

"There is a different vibe over there man," he said. "It has sunshine, beautiful white sandy beaches and a mellow atmosphere. It is an best place to make reggae music."

Jimmy Cliff to perform in Miami for the First Time in 20 Years

Jimmy Cliff, reggae music icon, Grammy Award winner and recent inductee to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, will perform in Miami for the first time in nearly 20 years.

Cliff will stage a one night only show on Oct. 15 at 8 p.m. at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts.

Tickets go on sale to members on Friday and to the general public on Aug. 13.

``Last year we celebrated Jimmy Cliff's tremendous musical legacy with the blockbuster musical, `The Harder They Come,' '' said M. John Richard, president and CEO of the Adrienne Arsht Center. ``This season, it is only fitting that we present the man himself -- the voice of a nation.''

Bob Marley's son Julian Marley, Luciano, Tippa Irie and more for One Love reggae festival at Hainault

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THE ONE Love reggae festival starts on Friday, August 6, in Hainault Forest Country Park.

The line-up includes Bob Marley's son, Julian alongside the likes of Luciano, Benjamin Zephaniah, Don Letts, Tippa Irie, David Rodigan, Trojan Sound System and many more.

Friday is Jamaican Independence Day and marks 32 years since Bob Marley's historic One Love Peace Concert that took place against a backdrop of major civil unrest in the country.

From 1976, there had been serious civil unrest in Jamaica between supporters of Prime Minister Michael Manley and those of opposition leader Edward Seaga.

The political culture became violent. Gunmen hired by both parties were fighting on the streets and assassinating their rivals. The situation deteriorated and a civil war looked imminent.

In 1978 Marley organised the One Love Peace Concert. During the song Jamming, he called both political opponents on stage and forced them to shake hands. 

Delaware festivals: Jamming to Marley's legacy on the Riverfront

WILMINGTON -- Reggae legend Bob Marley may have only lived in Wilmington for seven months in 1966, but his first American hometown continues to celebrate his links to the city through song.

That was true for thousands from across the mid-Atlantic who gathered Saturday for the 16th annual Peoples' Festival, a musical tribute to the Jamaican-born cultural icon.

"A lot of people follow Bob Marley for the culture and the music," said Barbara Dantzler of Philadelphia, who attends the festival each year at Tubman-Garrett Riverfront Park. "He's a prophet."

The festival combines Marley's music with Caribbean food and people of different cultures and backgrounds, Dantzler said.

"It's all kind of wrapped into one," said Dantzler, as she enjoyed a plate of fried fish, rice and spicy cabbage.

Before Marley and The Wailers hit the big time, he lived with his mother in Wilmington briefly in 1966, working as a DuPont lab assistant and at the former Chrysler plant in Newark.

While he lived in Wilmington, Marley be came friends with Ibis and Genny Pitts, who founded the Peoples' Festival 16 years ago at the suggestion of Marley's mother, Cedella Marley Booker, who died in 2008. Marley died of cancer in 1981 at age 36.