House of David Gang performs at the TD IRIE Music Festival on Sunday, July 31st at Queen’s Park.

Now featuring a new generation of talented artists alongside founding members King Selah and Collin “Jahlin” Edwards, House of David Gang is Canada’s busiest touring reggae band. Rooted in the timeless tradition of Jamaican roots reggae from the 70s and early 80s as embodied by the immortal Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, and Bunny Wailer; House of David Gang adds a potent mix of jazz, funk and afrobeat to create a true global reggae orchestra.

The House of David Gang takes its name from the legendary House of David afterhours on Queen Street West in Toronto, where King Selah, Jahlin and other artists from the city’s burgeoning reggae scene would meet to jam until sunrise. Over the years, members have included players from essential Toronto reggae bands such as the Resinators, Explorer Band, Revelation, Selassie I Power and many more. Today, some of the Canada’s finest reggae musicians & vocalists, such as 2-time Juno nominee Jason Wilson, 2011 Juno nominee Tonya P and Michael Garrick, often take the stage as special guests along side Selah (vocals), Jahlin (drums), Jay Cleary (guitar), Snappy Homefry (bass) and Todd Britton (keys).

In the last several years, “The Gang” has been one of Canada’s busiest touring reggae bands. Their annual Bob Marley Birthday Tribute and Food Drive tour has become a staple of the winter music calendar across Ontario, Quebec and Atlantic Canada. In Toronto, hundreds of reggae lovers come out for their springtime Original Wailers Showcase and Peter Tosh Tribute. House of David Gang has performed in front of thousands at the Harvest Jazz & Blues Festival, Atlantic Jazz Festival, Evolve Festival, Nufunk Festival, The Word On The Street, Ottawa Reggaefest, Toronto Freedom Festival, and more.

Now, House of David Gang proudly releases its new single “Reggae Party”. This King Selah original pays homage to the great reggae vinyl tradition, capturing the band’s warmth, energy and passion for roots reggae as it was meant to be heard. On the flip side is “Right Now” by fellow Toronto roots rockers Friendlyness & The Human Rights.

www.houseofdavidgang.com

Progress performs at the TD IRIE Music Festival on Saturday, July 30th at Queen’s Park.

Progress’s music is a reflection of his life experiences and his faith. Progress is known for his socially relevant lyrics and his explosive live shows. Progress although learning his craft in the Caribbean has a distinct Toronto flavor to his music. This is evident in the many different influences he incorporates into reggae such as Hip-hop, jazz and Soul. Born in Barbados Progress forged his unique style doing local shows throughout the island. Progress’s music began getting attention due to his socially conscious message and aggressive style, this in turn lead to him being featured on several local compilations and gaining radio play. Leaving Barbados in the 90’s Progress moved to Canada where he incorporated the different influences around him. It was there that Progress honed his skills and developing a live show is one of the most energetic and dynamic in Canada, Progress’s live show takes the listener on a journey through a musical landscape, blending high energy party anthems, social commentary and audience participation seamlessly. Progress has shared the stage with Common, Erykah Badu, Beres Hammond, Frankie Paul, Maxi Priest, Tarrus Riley and many more. With the release of his latest album MAKING PROGRESS, Progress intends to expose the world to his message and share his journey of love and struggle

Likkle More performs at the TD IRIE Music Festival on Monday, August 1st at Queen’s Park

Likkle More is the brainchild of the band’s lead singers and sisters, Natalie and Marsha Hayle. Their messages and sound is fused with rich groove and soul and brings a truly honest and authentic roots reggae vibe! Their genuine groove draws from a gospel-like perspective and gives much respect to influences that include the reggae greats; Robert Nesta Marley, Dennis Brown, J.C. Lodge, Tanya Stephens, Carlene Davis, Marcia Griffiths, Cynthia Schloss, Beres Hammond, Freddie MacGregor, Jimmy Cliff, and Barrington Levy.

The documentary tells the story of the Rocksteady era (1966-69), considered by music experts to be the golden age of Jamaican music. A blend of ska, soul and R&B, Rocksteady developed the buoyant rhythms, prominent bass line, beautiful vocals and socially conscious lyrics that became Reggae. Forty years after Rocksteady’s peak, the documentary filmmakers brought the remaining great Rocksteady singers and musicians together to record an album of their greatest hits, to perform live at a reunion concert and to tell their stories – all of it captured in this stunning film.

The singers featured in Rocksteady: The Roots of Reggae are Judy Mowatt, Marcia Griffiths and Dawn Penn, Hopeton Lewis, Stranger Cole, Derrick Morgan, Ken Boothe, Leroy Sibbles and U-Roy. Among the musicians are Ernest Ranglin, Sly Dunbar, Jackie Jackson, Gladstone Anderson, Hux Brown, Bongo Herman and Scully Simms. A special guest star in the film is Rita Marley, who along with, Judy Mowatt and Marcia Griffiths made up the I-Threes, Bob Marley’s backup singers during his rapid rise to stardom. These artists reunite to take audiences on a trip through time with such legendary hits as Rivers of Babylon, The Tide Is High, No,No,No (You Don’t Love Me) and Stop That Train.

The feature was produced by Muse Entertainment of Canada and HesseGreutert Films of Switzerland and directed by Stascha Bader.