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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 acclaimed
Groundation aims to take the art of genre-bending to
new heights by blending elements of both Jazz/Funk fusion
and transcendental Dub in their progressive amalgam of
sound.
The name 'Groundation' came from the
Rastafarian ceremony of the same name. Its goal: using
the vibration of music to get everyone on the same wavelength
in order to forward positive consciousness.
Groundation was founded in the fall
of 1998 when three long time musicians Marcus Urani (organ/keys/piano),
Ryan Newman (bass) and Harrison Stafford (guitar/lead
vocals) came together in the jazz program of California's
Sonoma State University to form the core of Groundation's
fusion of style and sound.
They were later joined in 2000 by San Francisco based
Jazz trumpeter David Chachere and the North Bay's Kelsey
Howard on trombone. Groundation saxophonist Jason Robinson
has gone on to become the head of the Jazz program at
UC San Diego. Drummer Paul Spina (Claypool's Flying Frog
Brigage, Will Bernard's Mother Bug) was replaced in 2008
with Reno-based Jazz/Fusion specialist Tekanawa Haereiti.
Bay area percussionist Mingo Lewis Jr. (son of Santana
percussionist Mingo Lewis) brings Latin and African infused
rhythms, adding heady layers to Groundation's already
stout syncopations. Jamaicans Kim Pommell and Stephanie
Wallace, joining the group in 2007 and 2008 respectively,
have helped take Groundation's harmonies and live shows
to new heights and are featured lead vocalists on the
new studio album.
Though Groundation has played in 30 countries on 4
continents in just the last few years (headlining huge
multi-genre festivals in Israel, France, Germany, Italy,
Morocco and Brazil to name but a few), 2009 marks a turning
point in their development here at home. On their wildly
successful coast-to-coast 2008 summer tour, worlds collided
as Groundation's internationally seasoned high-energy
show style met the American heartland, culminating in
an historic tour. Once again, Groundation heads across
America at a truly crucial time in our country's history
with shows from coast to coast starting in the Fall.
2009 also will see the release
of the long awaited full length studio album "Here I Am." Following
the release of "Rockamovya," the first Groundation
side project featuring Grammy-nominated Jazz guitarist
Will Bernard (Stanton Moore Trio, Dr. Lonnie Smith) as
well as Jamaican Reggae legend Leroy 'Horsemouth' Wallace
(Burning Spear, The Abyssinians the cult film 'Rockers')
on drums, "Here I Am" is already generating
considerable buzz throughout the international music
industry and will surely go down as an early 21st century
classic (U.S. release set for June).
Reggae music's commitment to an upheaval of our unjust
social system and Groundation's livication of forwarding
this message through a fresh, improvisation-based musical
lens has created a truly unique movement. Groundation
is the biggest, most respected American Reggae band in
the world today...come join us and find out why. |
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