THANKS to all the performers, sponsors, volunteers and fans who made this year's ReggaeFest so special.
ReggaeFest 2010 Artiste Submissions are now being accepted through Sonicbids.
The Calgary Reggae Festival Society supports the following event:
Beres Hammond
Considered Jamaica’s greatest practicing singer/songwriter, Beres Hammond is hailed as one of the finest Reggae musicians, a distinguished artiste with a career expanding over 35 years. Beres’ voice, rich and flavourful, creates sounds ranging from sultry R&B, gospel, jazz to roots reggae, maintaining lyrical freshness and vocal excellence. My Space | Harmony House Music
Culture featuring Kenyatta Hill
Kenyatta Hill’s debut single, “Daddy” confronts the emotional pain and uncertainty he felt after the loss of his father. Joseph Hill, the front man of the legendary vocal trio Culture, whose 1977 record “Two Sevens Clash”, helped define the roots reggae genre. In August 2006, while on tour in Germany, Joseph Hill suddenly fell ill and passed away. Rather than cancel the rest of the tour, Kenyatta, who had served as Culture’s sound engineer since the age of fifteen, decided to step in for his father. Culture Web Site | My Space
Culture Brown
Culture Brown was born in the parish of Westmoreland, Jamaica, moving to Kingston at an early age. He found his start in Reggae music as a member of the Black Star Sound System, opening doors for him to become a powerful figure on the Reggae scene. Culture Brown has just recently released his highly anticipated double album "Poor" which is available this summer on CD Baby and digitally on iTunes, Amazon and Napster. My Space
Friendlyness and the Human Rights
Friendlyness and the Human Rights carry a heavy sound with songs of freedom, justice and equality, all the while rooted in the substance of the love of JAH. Friendlyness is a former winner of DJ of the year award, recipient of a Canadian Reggae Music Award, nominated for a MuchMusic Video Award and a Juno Award with Truths and Rights. My Space
Greg Crowe & The Scarlet Union
Greg has been a contributing member of the Winnipeg independent music scene since 1992. After humble beginnings in local hardcore outfit XchoplogicX, Greg turned to the ska idiom and hasn't looked back since. From 1993-2000, Greg fronted local ska outfit Whole Lotta Milka. During those seven years, Whole Lotta Milka released two full length albums (Got Milka? and Al's Diner) for Montreal based Stomp Records. He has toured and collaborated with such artists as The Planet Smashers, King Django, Chris Murray, King Kong Girio, and The Kingpins amongst others. My Space
Idlers
Idlers are an eleven-piece reggae circus from St. John's, Newfoundland. Their unique sound comes from a love for reggae, ska, and afro-beat, peppered with a little Celtic. Ringmaster Mark Wilson fronts a solid rhythm section, and heavy horns, bringing audiences to frenzy. Website | Electronic Press Kit | My Space | Listen to the CD
Jon Bone with the Karuna Movement
The Karuna Movement is a jam band laying down a mix of reggae, funk, rock and world grooves, colouring them with catchy melodies and deep lyrical content. Backed by a solid and energetic band, Jon Bone (songwriter, producer, lead vocalist and guitarist) delivers a captivating stage presence. Jon Bone Web Site
Korexion
Winner of the 2007 Juno Award for Best Reggae Recording, Jamaican born Keipher Scott a.k.a Korexion draws upon reggae, hip-hop and pop styles to create an appealing musical hybrid. Now residing in Toronto, Korexion has taken his musical message international. In his performance he has lived up to his reputation and his stage presence has entertained spectators both locally and worldwide. Korexion uses his love and talent for music to communicate his message to his audience. My Space
Lenya Wilks
Lenya Wilks, considered a bonafide vocal powerhouse (just ask mentor Beres Hammond), has been inching towards a music career for years. Since her collision with fame on the televised talent series “Digicel Risings Stars” in 2008, there has been no looking back. After months of concert performances and popping up at other sold-out showcases, 19 year old Wilks is ready to start recording a debut album, with a summer release in sight, as she gears up to embark on a successful solo adventure... And with all the musical treats she is about to serve up, this St. Catherine, Jamaica born singer might help change the music industry - one note at a time. Lenya will grace the stage in Calgary as part of the “ A Moment in Time” tour with Beres Hammond and Culture.
Mello Man
Born Cornelius Hibbert from St. Thomas, Jamaica, Mello Man (aka Mr. Sweet Voice) is one of the most authentic reggae singers in western Canada. Now based in Winnipeg, Mello Man started his singing career in 1989 with the Jah Vibes band at the Black-o-Rama festival’s tribute to Bob Marley. He has toured with many major reggae artists, such as Third World, Frankie Paul, and Chevelle Franklin. My Space
Rastrillos
Rastrillos, a dynamic reggae band hailing from Mexico, is made up of musicians from differnt parts of the world (Celaya, Cuba, Argentina, Tepalcates, Coyoacanos). Playing for almost 20 years, Rastrillos has played with many international artistes like Alpha Blondy, Pato Banton, Black Uhuru, Israel Vibration, Jimmy Cliff and Los Lobos. This summer Rastrillos are on tour across Western Canada. Come check out this hot sound at ReggaeFest! My Space
Roger Steffens
Roger Steffens is a Brooklyn, New York born actor, author, lecturer, editor, reggae archivist, photographer, producer. Roger is perhaps best known for his reggae archives, in particular his archives of Bob Marley. Six rooms of his home in Los Angeles house his archives, which include the world's largest collection of Bob Marley material. Based on these archives Roger lectures internationally with a multi-media presentation called "The Life of Bob Marley". Roger's radio career began in New York in 1961, and was co-host of the award-winning Reggae Beat on KCRW in Los Angeles and was syndicated on 130 stations worldwide in the 1980’s.
Shabuungo Ouda Ouda
Calgary's own Shabuungo Ouda Ouda developed his musical skills as a result of listening to the elders in the business, such as the late-great Bob Marley and Burning Spear. Hailing from Jamaica, Ouda is a charismatic and charming artiste with an extensive musical background. Ouda Ouda naturally moves people in a positive way, and has been performing at clubs and festivals in Calgary and throughout Western Canada for many years. He is currently working on his first full length album. My Space
Tasha T
Since her remarkable debut at the age of fourteen, Toronto based artiste Tasha T has been delighting audiences in Canada, the US and Jamaica. With the release of her self titled debut album, ‘Tasha T’, she is poised to leave a lasting impression on reggae lovers everywhere. Tasha T Web Site | Tasha T My Space
The Soulicitors
The Soulicitors are a five-piece Edmonton band, dying to save Canada from the rock music doldrums. Their sound is a unique blend of reggae, roots and soul music that is bound to twist your ear and get you out of your seat and dancing. Pushing good vibes and a party atmosphere, The Soulicitors will capture you with their intricate percussion and harmonized melody lines. My Space | Electronic Press Kit
REGGAEFEST 2009 – There’s only one day to Reggae
August 13-15, 2009 - Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Thank you to ALL!
CALGARY, ALBERTA…August 22, 2009… It came, it went, it conquered! REGGAEFEST 2009 – There’s only one day to Reggae was a sell out! Once again, the sixth annual festival proved to all of Calgary that the Reggae vibe in Western Canada is alive and vibrant!
From the jam- packed insides of the Ship & Anchor pub showcasing Canadian Reggae talent, to the Roger Steffens presentation on Reggae heroes, REAGGAFEST 2009 offered something for everyone. The Main
Event on Saturday, August 15 delivered 12 hours of non-stop sizzling Reggae music, leaving everyone feelin’ irie and overjoyed by such incredible artistes gracing the stage.
“This year’s festival had a special feel, an indescribable aura about it,” says festival media/publicity director Christina Marriott. “Everything came together and the vibe was perfect. It was a special year, with such outstanding Reggae talent.”
On Saturday night, Culture featuring Kenyata Hill, Lenya Wilks and Beres Hammond stole the show, giving the audience over three hours of positive, conscious and uplifting Reggae rhythms. They left all in the park yearning for more, a sure sign that the day was filled with good Reggae music and culture.
“From start to finish the day was just magical!” says ReggaeFest Producer Leo Cripps. “The weather wasn’t the best but every person who braved the forecast and came out to the show was rewarded with the best Reggae show this city has ever seen. When the rain started pouring and not a single person in the crowd moved… that was just a sight to behold,” continued Cripps.
Having your support for REAGGAEFEST 2009 has given the Calgary Reggae Festival Society the confidence to continue with the vision of staging Calgary’s best summer family festival. From its humble beginning, REAGGAFEST is now recognized as one of the best run festivals in North America!
The Calgary Reggae Festival Society sends out a very special thank you to all and we hope to see everyone enjoying next summer’s Reggae festivities.
REGGAEFEST 2009 was presented by: Global Calgary, Vibe 98.5 fm and the Calgary Reggae Festival Society (CRFS).
The CRFS is a 100% volunteer group and it is diligently working to ensure that REGGAEFEST is the best family friendly summer festival in Calgary.