Groundation

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Groundation
Groundation.jpg
Groundation performing at the 2006 Jamaican Reggae Festival in Kandel, Germany
Background information
Origin California, United States
Genres Roots reggae, Jazz fusion, Dub
Years active 1998–present
Labels Young Tree
Associated acts Don Carlos
Israel Vibration
Website www.groundation.com
Members Harrison Stafford
Marcus Urani
Ryan Newman
David "Diesel" Chachere
Te Kanawa Haereiti
Mingo Lewis Junior
Kim Pommell
Past members Paul "Papa" Spina
Jason Robinson
James Stafford
Shawna Anderson
Adaria Armstrong
Jeannine Guillory
Ekua Impraim
Kerry-Ann Morgan
Kelsey Howard
Ikesha Johnson
Benjamin Krames

Groundation is an American roots reggae band with jazz and dub influences, from Sonoma County in Northern California.

Contents

History [edit]

Formed in the fall of 1998 by Harrison Stafford, Marcus Urani, and Ryan Newman, Groundation began on the campus of Sonoma State University's Jazz Program.[1] Between 1999 and 2001, Harrison Stafford taught the first course on the History of Reggae Music at the University.[1] In 1999, Stafford teamed up with Kris Dilbeck to found Young Tree Records and release Groundation's debut album Young Tree.[2] "Groundation" comes from the Rasta term "Grounation". Grounation Day (April 21) is an important Rastafarian holy day, and second after Coronation Day (November 2). It is celebrated in honor of Haile Selassie's 1966 visit to Jamaica.

In 2000 they added to the line up David Chachere, a San Francisco-based jazz trumpeter, and Kelsey Howard, a North Bay trombone player.[1] 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; he left the group in summer 2008. Kim Pommell and Kerry Ann Morgan (both graduates of Kingston's Ashe performing arts school) joined in 2006, and are featured lead vocalists on Groundation's 2009 release Here I Am.

The nine-piece band creates an altogether new reggae sound, featuring swirling, jazz/funk inspired horns, stout Latin and African based poly-rhythmics, and soulful harmony vocals. Their concerts utilize live improvisation, in classic jazz fashion, and are renowned for their high energy, communion-type atmosphere. Having gained international notoriety for their progressive fusion style, Groundation regularly plays at major international festivals like Summerjam.

The band use analog instruments and recording equipment rather than digital, with Stafford explaining "No digital, we don't work with synthesisers. Just like in the 1970s we stick to that format."[1]

Lineup [edit]

Members [edit]

Former members [edit]

  • Paul Spina - drums (from December 2001 to July 2008)
  • Jason Robinson - saxophone (on all albums except We Free Again and is only occasionally on stage with the band during US tours)
  • James Stafford - drums (on the first two albums)
  • Shawna Anderson - chorus (from 1999 to 2004)
  • Adaria Armstrong - chorus (2004)
  • Jeannine Guillory - chorus (2005)
  • Ekua Impraim - chorus (2005)
  • Ikesha Johnson - chorus (2006)
  • Benjamin Krames - congas, timbales, percussion (in 2007, during Mingo's break)
  • Kelsey Howard - trombone (from 2000-2012)
  • Kerry-Ann Morgan (vocals)

Discography [edit]

Studio albums [edit]

Rockamovya - A Groundation side project [edit]

The three founding members of Groundation (Harrison Stafford, Marcus Urani and Ryan Newman) joined with the Jamaican drummer Leroy "Horsemouth" Wallace and Will Bernard in June 2008 to form Rockamovya. The name comes from Wallace's Jamaican patois style and is meant to show the unity and power of the music.

References [edit]

  1. ^ a b c d Campbell-Livingston, Cecelia (2012) "Groundation Sticks to Basics", Jamaica Observer, 5 June 2012, retrieved 2012-06-05
  2. ^ http://www.groundation.com/music

External links [edit]

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