HONOLULU, HI, July 23, 2009
/24-7PressRelease/ -- Spectators jamming to the vibes of Ziggy Marley at the Waikiki Shell on Saturday, August 15th will also be treated to a host of international music from a dynamic melding of gifted artists. From Jamaica to Trinidad to the Virgin Islands, Thompson's Productions is flying in musicians to join Ziggy for a special day on Oahu of reggae-rock music.
JOSEPH ISRAEL
Joseph Israel has toured the U.S., rocking and inspiring audiences from coast to coast with his message. Born Joseph M. Fennel, he is one of those unique individuals whose natural talents and spiritual calling have merged into a music that is as thought provoking as it is inspiring. "What I share with my audience is to draw everyone closer to the source of Truth - that we are all brothers and sisters, and that division and lies cannot stand," he has been quoted as saying.
Born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Israel was exposed to the works and writings of history makers like Martin Luther King Jr. His father and uncle were also huge fans of reggae music and traveled often to Jamaica. At age 12 Joseph received his first reggae cassettes - Bob Marley, "Legend," Peter Tosh, "Wanted Dead or Alive," Jimmy Cliff, "Special," and Burning Spear, "Markus Garvey." Israel was inspired by their musicianship, but more importantly, by the message.
Naturally, Israel began writing songs of his own, and formed the reggae band Kepha (Aramaic for 'Rock'). He also started the group Lions of Israel, whose modern day roots rocked the Midwest and beyond from 2002-2005. In 2004 Israel was invited to open for Ziggy Marley at a sold-out concert in Fayetteville, Arkansas. His acoustic performance was captivating and propelled Israel closer to the recording of his debut solo album "Gone Are the Days." In 2006 Israel was signed to New Door Records of Universal Music Group, and in 2007 "Gone Are the Days" reached #11 on the Top Reggae album charts. This trip to the islands will be special for Joseph. "Hawaii is a beautiful place with beautiful people that love positive music. To be able to return to Hawaii this year and this time with Ziggy Marley is a real blessing for sure," says Israel. "I feel pure joy as I look forward to these shows. It is One Heart and we are One People - all about the good vibes that flow everyday." Israel has been in the studio putting the finishing touches on his second album, to be released sometime this year.
ROVLETA FRASER
Hailing from the birthplace of reggae, Rovleta Fraser is the only female on this year's line up and has been singing and performing on stage since she was a child in Jamaica. While growing up, all Rovleta had was music to keep her going through a very difficult childhood in the ghettos of Kingston. She is now adored by her community as a shining example of a ghetto youth rising to claim her rightful place in the limelight!
Over five years ago, Rovleta was chosen to travel the world as part of Damian "Jr. Gong" Marley's band as a background vocalist and is currently on tour with Jr. Gong and Naz for the summer. She was recently invited to guest spot on Grammy Award-nominated artist Teena Marie's new album, and Teena Marie loved how Rovleta's Jamaican flavor added to her own already spicy lyrics! "I have been blessed to work with some of the most accomplished musicians and entertainers in the world and I look forward to joining Ziggy and the other artists in Hawaii for a fantastic show," says Rovleta. Rovleta's solo album "One Room Child" is set to be released in fall 2009, and people can expect the unexpected with this new world soul fusion of jazz, reggae, funk, blues, calypso, and more! This revolutionary songbird has just started to take off. "Everyone's survival is guaranteed, no-one has to tear down or tear apart anyone in order to. Survival is freely given to all by the creator," says Rovleta. Watch this phoenix rise!
BLAK DIAMON
Born Shawn Myrie in Jamaica, Blak Diamon's love for music started at an early age playing Congo drums with his father. After attending the University of Western Ontario in Canada, where he majored in Psychology, Blak Diamon decided to come back to Jamaica to create music with his brother Andrew "Anju Blaks" Myrie. Both brothers eventually started a sound system called Uptempo, which they used to play at various parties such as sweet sixteen's and special events.
As manager of the Uptempo sound Blak Diamon decided it was time to embark on producing artists. After acquiring a drum machine he began constructing rhythms and writing songs for his rhythms. Since then Blak Diamon has recorded over 20 songs and has collaborated with such artists as D-Mus, Jaro, Cheddar and Kid Kurrupt out of Sean Paul's Dutty Cup group. In early 2009, Blak Diamon also collaborated with international platinum artists Young Berg, Shiest Bubs (Purple City Records) and Cap One of Motown records on their single entitled "Empire." Working with such acts is a thrill for Blak Diamon, who says, "I am ecstatic about such an opportunity, because now I am collaborating with such big acts out of the United States." Blak Diamon is currently working with producer Anju Blaks of Uptempo International Music group and is drawing much interest for latest singles, "Just 2 Bad," "Whine Like This" and "Gimme Di Dro."
MYSTERIOUS
After being first introduced to a recording studio in 1992, Mysterious worked alongside and produced music for now popular soca artists Bunji Garlin, Benjai, 3 Suns, Scarface, Gospel artist JD and reggae sensation Prophet Benjamin. Fourteen years later, having absorbed musical influences from the likes of The Mighty Shadow, David Rudder, Bob Marley, Luciano, Super Cat, Ninja Man, and Buju Banton, the artist and producer released his first cross over reggae album entitled "First Compass!"
"This will be my first visit to Hawaii and I am thrilled to have been invited to join the great Ziggy Marley in a concert of celebration and unity," says Mysterious. "I am proud to share my Trinidadian heritage in a place where diversity is embraced and I hope my music touches the hearts of those who will join us at this great event."
ZION
A native of the Virgin Islands, Zion's voice and style has been described as reminiscent of the founding reggae artist of the 70's, bringing back the soul of classic roots into contemporary reggae music. His latest singles "Upright" and "Poor Man Crying" carry the infectious drum & bass sounds of reggae from years past. Mixed at Bob Marley's legendary Tuff Gong Studio in Jamaica, both singles demonstrate Zion's knack for packing searing social commentary and spiritual revelations into pulsating drum rifts.
Born in rural Dominica, Zion's musical landscape was shaped at an early age by the messages of perseverance, endurance and self and spiritual empowerment in the Roots Reggae Movement of the 70's. It was after moving to St. Croix, that Zion blew away a local music producer with songs like "United We Stand" and "Here Comes The Woman."
He demonstrated the depth and consciousness of an older soul trapped inside a humble and quiet 16 year old. "While everyone my age used to listen to more younger popular music, I was drawn to conscious Reggae music. I never really chose to do music - it was just inside of me. Once I learned to play the guitar as a teenager, it was like a natural thing. It was just Jah's guidance." Since immigrating to the United States, Zion's music has spread from the Caribbean to the Southern and Midwestern states where he has built a sizable following as one of the few Caribbean artists in these Hip Hop dominated communities. Zion is currently working on his album that should be out soon!
Thompson's Productions has partnered with Clear Channel Communications and Cox Radio to bring this special event to Hawaii. 'Ziggy Marley Live in Concert' will be held at the Waikiki Shell on Saturday, August 15. The concert will start at 5:00 p.m and continue until 10:00 p.m. Tickets are available for purchase for $35, $45 and $55. Tickets go on sale Monday, June 15 and can be purchased at the Blaisdell Box Office, online at Ticketmaster.com and at all Ticketmaster outlets, including select Macy¹s. To charge tickets by phone, call (800) 745-3000.
For more event information, please call Hawaii Pacific Entertainment at (808) 237-3675 or e-mail umma@hawaiipacificentertainment.com or log on to http://www.hawaiipacificentertainment.com.
For further information about the featured artists please visit these links: http://www.ziggymarley.com,
http://www.myspace.com/mysteriousandthemysticbandm,
http://www.myspace.com/rovleta,
http://www.myspace.com/josephisrael,
http://www.myspace.com/blakdiamonuim,
http://www.myspace.com/lionrootszion.
For more information on Thompson's Productions please visit http://www.thompsonsproductions.com.
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