Grammy winners Stephen and Damian Marley’s performance together was the highlight of this festival with their array of classic Reggae and Dancehall hits. There is so much chemistry between them.
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Stephen performing with Julian and Damian Marley much to the delight of the crowd.
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Jo Mersa Marley (Son of Stephen) performing with the Mic in hand. Stephen Marley called all of the Late great Bob Marley sons and grandsons up to the stage during his performance of the Bob Classic “Could you be loved”.
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Grammy winner Stephen Marley demonstrated with his poise, musical experience, contagious smile and happiness why he’s with Ziggy the most experienced Singer/Musician of the Marley Family. His son Jo Mersa also performed during his event while his littlest son stood by his side waving the Jamaican Flag during his performance. He did songs with Damian and Julian also much to the delight of the crowd and also welcomed the grandsons and granddaughters of the Late great Bob Marley onto the stage to dance and express Love & Happiness.
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Grammy winner Damian Marley probably had the best performance altogether for this festival. The Grammy winner performed many songs from the “Distant Relatives” collabo with Nas. The crowd was estatic as he also let Stephen, Julian and other members of the Ghetto Youths Crew make appearances. Damian’s performance was most definitely the highlight of this Festival.
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Alpha Blondy who is probably the closest African Reggae equivalent to Bob Marley demonstrated clearly why he was chosen to close out the Festival. He sang most of his classics from the 80s including Brigadier Sabari and Cocody Rock much to the great appreciation of the crowd that got very loud and sang along. The Ivory Coast Flag was waving high in the air during his performance and he represented The Motherland proudly and spoke his mind regarding African politics and the ongoing Middle-East crisis.
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Julian Marley sang his classic hits including “Systems” to the delight of the crowd with his style which is closer to his father’s Bob as he’s a true complete Reggae Singer/Guitarist. Julian is strictly Reggae as opposed to his brothers Stephen and Damian who also perform Dancehall songs. He sang with a lot of energy and conviction and also emulated his father’s dance with the trademark denim jeans and jacket. Great stage presence!
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Christopher Ellis and Wayne Marshall of the Marley Ghetto Youths Crew demonstrated clearly with their high vocal skills, energy and interactions with the crowd why they were signed by Reggae’s First Family. Each member of the Ghetto Youths Crew including Jo Mersa (son of Stephen) and Julian performed at least one or two songs to open for Damian and Stephen Marley and showcase their talents.
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Marcia Griffiths had a great LIVE performance, a true Reggae diva! She showed through her vocal and dance skills why she was chosen as the Late great Bob Marley’s back-up singer and member of the I-Threes along with the legendary Rita Marley and Judy Mowatt. Her talent is timeless as she danced and performed Reggae classics such as Dawn Penn’s “No, no, no” and even delved into the Dancehall music genre. She’s a true entertainer by the way she interacted with and moved the crowd through her excitement, voice and dance. Great performance!
Don Carlos showed why he’s a living legend as ex-member of Black Uhuru with his powerful vocal delivery. He sang many classic Reggae songs to the delight of the crowd.
Ras Michael showed why he’s a living legend and one of Reggae’s most respected elders by playing some Soul-soothing traditional Nyabinghi rhythms. His band put emphasis on the drumming and singing much to the delight of the crowd which absolutely loved the performance.
Grammy-nominated Sister Carol showed the Festival crowd why she is one of Dancehall Reggae female pioneers. She did a great job singjaying with her beautiful voice and MC skills. She rocked the crowd and represented well all females in Dancehall as well as Reggae.
Fatoumata Diawara represented the Motherland proudly and had a memorable performance. Probably the most touching performance of this Festival with her Sultress yet soft-spoken voice. She played the guitar similarly to Vieux Farka Toure and showed her Malian Blues Singer roots. Her voice, guitar-playing and Wassoulou lyrics are very captivating and enchanting, and did a great job of conveying emotion to the mostly American crowd. She also addressed feminist issues in English with her beautiful accent. Fatoumata Diawara danced towards the end of her performance while the drummer played djembe-like rhythms on the drum set. Great great performance and addition to this World Music Festival!
This was French Reggae Band Danakil’s first performance in the US and their lead singer Balik was excited and let the crowd know about it. While Balik sang Reggae or “singjayed”, Natty Jean his Senegalese partner covered the “Raggamuffin'” parts of the songs in his native Wolof, providing a now traditional blend of Reggae and Dancehall. Balik performed an original remake of French singer Edith Piaf’s “Non, je ne regrette rien”, showing his versatility as an artist. The crowd was intrigued yet appreciated the performance.
Leroy Sibbles ex-member of the Heptones showed why he’s a legend with his powerful and beautiful voice. He sang many Reggae classics like Satta Massagana of Third World and other 70s classics. He also performed some Ska and Rock Steady tracks educating some of the younger Audience members. Nice performance!
Bombino and his crew rocked the crowd despite playing a music genre other than Reggae. They dressed in Tuareg garments and played the guitars similarly to Malian Blues guitarists. The crowd, filled with music connoisseurs who appreciate World Music, cheered and applauded as the group from Niger performed. The organizers of the Sierra Nevada World Music Festivals did a good job selecting crucial music from various parts of the World to diversify the festival.
The 20th anniversary of this three-day World Music Festival was safe and very well-organized despite overcrowding. Wolof Times reporters Bunaama Diagne (See pictures with Julian Marley, Jo Mersa Marley and Alpha Blondy) and Sunny Moore (See pictures with Damian Marley and Luciano) made sure they attended and camped on the site for three days. The Marleys (See pictures above for Damian, Julian and Jo Mersa) and entire “Ghetto Youths Crew” were the main acts but the Festival also featured Alpha Blondy (See picture), Luciano (See picture), Don Carlos, Marcia Griffiths, Ras Michael, Leroy Sibbles, Gappy Ranks and Fatoumata Diawara to name a few. Emphasis was made on diversity with the variety of performers’ nationalities. The scenery was beautiful amidst the mountains of Mendocino County.
Angelique Kidjo (Left on Bottom right picture) was in Hollywood, CA representing Benin as usual and blessed the crowd with her singing and dancing. Hugh Masekela the Jazz trumpetist (Right on Bottom right picture) was also part of the festival, representing his native South Africa . Both artists took part of the same interview, representing the continent proudly.
Sheila E. hasn’t lost a step at age “56”. The USC Marching band opened up her performance and she gave a real all-around drum clinic from the drum set to the congas. Great crowd participation, even security was dancing and both her parents as well as India Arie joined in with dancing and drumming. Sheila E. is the real deal, a real drum virtuoso/singer who rocked the crowd with her classic hits.
I was mesmerized by Luciano’s voice and live performance (Far-left column), here featured with Wolof Times reporter Bunaama Diagne. He touched every single audience member’s heart with his vocal delivery. This Reggae artist can SOUL SING and paid a great tribute to Dennis Brown and Nat King Cole.
Wolof Times reporter Sunny Moore stepping off the stage in her Fulani hat, after helping Actor Jeffrey Anderson-Gunter draw audience winner tickets. Great live Jazz music which featured Jazz and Spoken word as well as various established and upcoming singers and musicians. The show was MCed by Actor Jeffrey Anderson-Gunter and Jazz Singer Freda Payne who did a great job entertaining the crowd during pauses and introducing Spoken Word artist Yazmin Monet Watkins and Jazz artists Dominique Toney, Ryan Cross, Kenneth Crouch etc…
I was blown away by the music and singing of Patrice Rushen (Left-column, here featured with Wolof Times reporters Bunaama Diagne & Sunny Moore) who is now Director of the Grammys Awards show and sang classic hits such as “Forget me nots” and “You remind me”. I didn’t know she could play the keyboards in both R&B and Jazz music genres. Leon “Ndugu” Chancler her producer/drummer also rocked the crowd with live great energy and incredibly versatile drumming. Great Great show!
Leon “Ndugu” Chancler long-time music partner/producer of R&B singer Patrice Rushen showcasing his rhythmic versatility as a drummer and demonstrating why he was considered at one point one of the Top 25 drummers in the world.
Lifetime music partners Patrice Rushen and Leon “Ndugu” Chancler drumming together at the very end of the show after a LIVE memorable performance in which Patrice Rushen surprised me with her other than singing, keyboardist and now DRUMMING talents…I didn’t know 🙂
WOLOF TIMES 