The Rocksteady Seven: Difference between revisions
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David Hillyard & the Rocksteady 7 are innovators in the [[Jamaican Jazz]] genre, which experiments in mixing [[jazz]], [[reggae]], [[latin]], and [[ska]]. The group features a shifting collective of some of the best musicians in New York City with experience playing with a variety of musical acts from [[Sting (musician)|Sting]] to [[the Skatalites]]. |
David Hillyard & the Rocksteady 7 are innovators in the [[Jamaican Jazz]] genre, which experiments in mixing [[jazz]], [[reggae]], [[latin]], and [[ska]]. The group features a shifting collective of some of the best musicians in New York City with experience playing with a variety of musical acts from [[Sting (musician)|Sting]] to [[the Skatalites]]. |
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Senior among them is veteran percussionist, [[Larry McDonald]] on congo. Larry began his career at the inception of ska music with Carlos Malcolm’s Afro Jamaicans. McDonald went on to perform on several classic reggae tracks such as Cherry Oh Baby, Funky Kingston and Rivers of Babylon. He left Jamaica after playing on several crucial [[Bob Marley]] cuts and has since backed up American icons, from Taj Mahal, Gil-Scott Heron, Bad Brains and Dave Hahn, earning him the sometime nickname “Original Beatnik”.<ref |
Senior among them is veteran percussionist, [[Larry McDonald]] on congo. Larry began his career at the inception of ska music with Carlos Malcolm’s Afro Jamaicans. McDonald went on to perform on several classic reggae tracks such as Cherry Oh Baby, Funky Kingston and Rivers of Babylon. He left Jamaica after playing on several crucial [[Bob Marley]] cuts and has since backed up American icons, from Taj Mahal, Gil-Scott Heron, Bad Brains and Dave Hahn, earning him the sometime nickname “Original Beatnik”.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sonicbids.com/dubisaweapon |title=Dub Is A Weapon Electronic Press Kit – Streaming Music, Photos, Videos, Lyrics and Info |publisher=Sonicbids |accessdate==29 February|accessdate=2012-09-25}}</ref> |
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=== 1992–2007: Career beginnings === |
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The music of the Rocksteady 7 bridges the divide |
The music of the Rocksteady 7 bridges the divide once thought to exist between early instrumental Jamaican “roots” rhythms ala the Skatalites, Burning Spear, Rocksteady Freddie and early American Jazz ala [[David Murray]], [[Charlie Haden]], [[Sidney Bichet]] and [[Pharaoh Saunders]]. |
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The |
The 1999’s release, Playtime is a lively, celebratory mix of early American Jazz and world music. The band's second album, United Front has stronger political undertones and uses the hypnotizing percussive base of the conga as a launching pad for an impressive mix of guitar and horn solos that weave in and out of the hypnotic groove laid down by the rhythm section. This album mixes free improvisation, reggae and revolutionary rhetoric to create "a true movement in the ska scene". |
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=== 2008–10: ''Way Out East" and beyond === |
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In 2007, the group released their 3rd album, Way Out East (Brixton), which captured the powerful energy of the band as a dynamic and inspiring live act. Recorded in Jena, Germany this disc was noted as a perfect Jazz/Reggae fusion that will leave fans of both in a "state of bliss." |
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In 2007, the group released their 3rd album, Way Out East (Brixton), which was recorded at a club in Jena, Germany during a 2004 tour and captured the powerful energy of the band as a dynamic and inspiring live act noted as a perfect Jazz/Reggae fusion that will leave fans of both in a "state of bliss."<ref>{{cite web|author=Brixton Records|url=http://brixtonrecords.blogspot.com/2009_05_01_archive.html |title=Brixton Records |publisher=Brixton Records|accessdate=September 26, 2012}}</ref> The nine tracks are filled with solos, dub-soaked passages, breaks and buildups that really let Hillyard and his killer crew stretch out. |
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The band's latest 2009 release Get Back Up! (Brixton) debuted in 2009 as a landmark in Dave's "Jamaican Jazz" concept, blending subtleties and intricacies of the reggae beat with extended improvisation of seasoned jazz soloists. The title track evokes power reminiscent of Coltrane's Love Supreme and is a screaming triumph over hardship and adversity. |
The band's latest 2009 release Get Back Up! (Brixton) debuted in 2009 as a landmark in Dave's "Jamaican Jazz" concept, blending subtleties and intricacies of the reggae beat with extended improvisation of seasoned jazz soloists. The title track evokes power reminiscent of Coltrane's Love Supreme and is a screaming triumph over hardship and adversity. |
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Revision as of 08:51, 26 September 2012
| The Rocksteady Seven | |
|---|---|
| Origin | [New York]], New York |
| Genres | Reggae, rocksteady, Jamaican jazz |
| Members | Dave Hillyard Will Clark Jeremy Mushlin Mike Bitz Dave Hahn Eddie Ocampo Dave Wake Larry McDonald |
| Website | www |
The Rocksteady Seven, also known as David Hillyard & The Rocksteady Seven, are an influential ska and reggae fusion band formed in 1998 by tenor saxophonist Dave Hillyard.
Based in New York, the seven piece ensemble mixes instrumental Jamaican “roots” rhythms of early ska jazz sounds of the Skatalites, Burning Spear with extended improvisation like jazz musicians David Murray, Charlie Haden, and Pharaoh Saunders. The Rocksteady 7 has played numerous venues in New York City from the Knitting Factory, Wetlands, Bbkings, and the Bottom Line. For most of 2005, they were regulars at Detour, a small jazz club on the lower east side of New York. They have also played at Los Angeles’ Whisky A Go Go, Knitting Factory, Echoplex (dub club) and House of Blues; the Toronto Jazz Festival; and numerous club dates in the eastern United States and Canada. Since early 2004, they have also played 3 European tours in Spain, France, Belgium, Holland, Switzerland, and Germany, as well as completing a tour of the U.S. in 2011.
Biography
David Hillyard & the Rocksteady 7 are innovators in the Jamaican Jazz genre, which experiments in mixing jazz, reggae, latin, and ska. The group features a shifting collective of some of the best musicians in New York City with experience playing with a variety of musical acts from Sting to the Skatalites.
Senior among them is veteran percussionist, Larry McDonald on congo. Larry began his career at the inception of ska music with Carlos Malcolm’s Afro Jamaicans. McDonald went on to perform on several classic reggae tracks such as Cherry Oh Baby, Funky Kingston and Rivers of Babylon. He left Jamaica after playing on several crucial Bob Marley cuts and has since backed up American icons, from Taj Mahal, Gil-Scott Heron, Bad Brains and Dave Hahn, earning him the sometime nickname “Original Beatnik”.[1]
1992–2007: Career beginnings
The music of the Rocksteady 7 bridges the divide once thought to exist between early instrumental Jamaican “roots” rhythms ala the Skatalites, Burning Spear, Rocksteady Freddie and early American Jazz ala David Murray, Charlie Haden, Sidney Bichet and Pharaoh Saunders.
The 1999’s release, Playtime is a lively, celebratory mix of early American Jazz and world music. The band's second album, United Front has stronger political undertones and uses the hypnotizing percussive base of the conga as a launching pad for an impressive mix of guitar and horn solos that weave in and out of the hypnotic groove laid down by the rhythm section. This album mixes free improvisation, reggae and revolutionary rhetoric to create "a true movement in the ska scene".
2008–10: Way Out East" and beyond
In 2007, the group released their 3rd album, Way Out East (Brixton), which was recorded at a club in Jena, Germany during a 2004 tour and captured the powerful energy of the band as a dynamic and inspiring live act noted as a perfect Jazz/Reggae fusion that will leave fans of both in a "state of bliss."[2] The nine tracks are filled with solos, dub-soaked passages, breaks and buildups that really let Hillyard and his killer crew stretch out.
The band's latest 2009 release Get Back Up! (Brixton) debuted in 2009 as a landmark in Dave's "Jamaican Jazz" concept, blending subtleties and intricacies of the reggae beat with extended improvisation of seasoned jazz soloists. The title track evokes power reminiscent of Coltrane's Love Supreme and is a screaming triumph over hardship and adversity.
The Rocksteady 7 has played numerous venues in New York City from SOBs, the Knitting Factory, Wetlands, Bbkings, and the Bottom Line. For most of 2005, they were regulars at Detour, a small jazz club on the lower east side of New York. They have also played at Los Angeles’ Whisky A Go Go, Knitting Factory, Echoplex (dub club), and House of Blues; the Toronto Jazz Festival; and numerous club dates in the eastern United States and Canada. Since early 2004, they have also completed 3 European tours, performing in Spain, France, Belgium, Holland, Switzerland, and Germany.
Discography
- Playtime - (1999), Hellcat Records
- United Front - (2003), Do Tell Records / Brixton Records
- Way out East: Live at The Kassablanca - (2007), Brixton Records
- Get Back UP! - (2009), Brixton Records
Rocksteady 7 members
- Dave Hillyard - saxophone
- Will Clark - trombone
- Jeremy Mushlin - trumpet
- Mike Bitz - bass guitar
- Vic Ruggiero - piano
- Dave Hahn - guitar
- Eddie Ocampo - drums
- Dave Wake - organ
- Larry Mcdonald - percussion
References
- ^ "Dub Is A Weapon Electronic Press Kit – Streaming Music, Photos, Videos, Lyrics and Info". Sonicbids. Retrieved 2012-09-25.
- ^ Brixton Records. "Brixton Records". Brixton Records. Retrieved September 26, 2012.
External links
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