Groundation
Groundation is bringing classic roots music into the serious times of the 21st century. Their sound is an organic fusion of Roots Reggae, heavy Funk/Jazz fusion, and transcendental Dub; their live shows are synonymous with high-energy positive communal vibrations, combining the message and determination of the best Reggae music has to offer with perpetually fresh Jazz-inspired improvisation...Truly not to be missed.
In addition, Groundation is the progenitor of Young Tree Records, a California-based Independant record label. Young Tree has put out works by the cream of the Roots Reggae crop, including The Congos, Pablo Moses, Andrew "Bassie" Campbell, Winston "Flames" Jarrett as well as the entirety of the expansive Groundation catalog.
The Groundation store is the only place to access the complete Groundation catalog as well as Groundation gear featuring the singular original art of long time Groundation- collaborator Giovanni Maki.
It is said that if you don't know your past, you don't know your future; well Groundation knows its past, and they're stepping into the future. While capturing the essence of true roots reggae, internationally renowned, Groundation aims to take the genre to a new height by blending elements of both jazz and dub in their sound.
Source:http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=33880067
The band was formed in the fall of 1998 by Harrison Stafford, Marcus Urani, and Ryan Newman. In 1999, Stafford teamed up with Kris Dilbeck to found Young Tree Records and release Groundation's debut album of the same name. In 2000 they added to the line up David Chachere, a San Francisco based jazz trumpeter, and Kelsey Howard, a North Bay trombone player. Saxophonist Jason Robinson was a member of the band for a time, and has since gone on to become the head of the jazz program at UC San Diego. Drummer Paul Spina (Les Claypool, Will Bernard’s Mother Bug) has been with the group since taking over for James Stafford in December 2001.
Between 1999 and 2001, Harrison Stafford taught the first course on the History of Reggae Music at Sonoma State University.
- Harrison Stafford – vocals, guitar
- Ryan Newman – bass
- Marcus Urani – keyboards
- David "Diesel" Chachere – trumpet
- Kelsey Howard – trombone
- Paul Spina – drums
- Kerry Ann Morgan – chorus
- Kim Pommell – chorus
- Mingo Lewis Jr – congas, timbales, percussion
The three founding members of Groundation (Harrison Stafford, Marcus Urani and Ryan Newman) join forces with the legendary Jamaican drummer Leroy "Horsemouth" Wallace and the grammy nominated Jazz guitarist Will Bernard to form Rockamovya. The name comes from Leroy Horsemouth Wallace, Jamaican patios style and is meant to show the unity and power of the music. The sound is fresh and very different from the Groundation works, but it remains deeply rooted in Reggae and Jamaican popular music. The release has been scheduled for June 17, 2008.
