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Event
The Mighty Diamonds
KVNF Presents the original classic Reggae Harmony Trio from Kingston, Jamaica, The Mighty Diamonds, with the Yellow Wall Dub Squad. This amazing Roots Reggae band is traveling the U.S. doing a "Tribute to Bob Marley 70th Birthday Celebration Tour."
The Mighty Diamonds Donald "Tabby" Shaw, Fitzroy "Bunny" Simpson and Lloyd " Judge" Ferguson formed in 1969 in the Trenchtown area of Kingston, Jamaica. They are the most consistent and long-running vocal trio in Jamaican musical history and for the past 45 years have been entertaining and educating the world with their sweet harmonies and conscious lyrics.
With their soulful harmonies and polished performances, they quickly became known as the young group with the Motown sound. Their first recordings at Dynamic Sounds eventually led them to their classic hit "Shame and Pride" in 1973. Their first hit singles " Country Living" and " Hey Girl" were recorded on the Channel One label. After touring the US with Toots and the Maytals, the group signed to Virgin Records in 1975 and recorded four albums. Their debut album " Right Time", released on Virgin has become a classic. By 1982, "Pass the Kutchie" from the album 'Changes' had become an international hit and has since been covered by Musical Youth, whose version "Pass the Dutchie" has also been a hit all over the world.
Tabby, Bunny and Judge have produced over 40 albums in their long career. The trio has toured the world extensively and has a strong following in Europe and Japan as well as in the US. In Jamaica they are forever loved. On stage antics of the Mighty Diamonds are reminiscent of the Four Tops with their animated hand gestures and energetic footwork. Favorites of the dance hall crowd, roots or progressive audiences.
The Mighty Diamonds continue to achieve stardom on their own terms, wrapping a militant message in some of the prettiest melodies around. Even with their mushrooming international popularity, the Mighty Diamonds have not forgotten their roots which come from the unique cultural potpourri of Jamaica with its harsh ghetto realities and its irresistible reggae pulse.
The Mighty Diamonds are remarkable for the fact that the three founding members have remained together, despite the ever-changing and cut-throat music business, for 45 years -- and counting! They find strength and inspiration in their faith in Rastafari and their love of Jah. Their message is one of unity, love and at times, rebellion in the face of injustice.
Their unquestionable reputation for a stylized traditional and polished sound has earned them prominence as a model reggae harmony trio.
On Sunday November 1, 2009, in celebration of the 79th Anniversary of the coronation of Haile SelassieTSO Productions and the Coalition to Preserve Reggae Music held their 5th annual Reggae Culture Salute at Nazareth High School Performance Center in Brooklyn, New York. The Mighty Diamonds were awarded a Congressional Proclamation from Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke, of the 11th Congressional District in Brooklyn, New York along with a Citation from Marty Markowitz, Brooklyn Borough President and the first ever Award for Excellence from TSO Productions and the Coalition to Preserve Reggae Music.
Mighty Diamonds Awards:
1. In 2006, following their performance at Reggae Sunsplash in Ocho Rios, the Diamonds received a prestigious national award from former prime minister Portia Simpson Miller for their artistic contribution to Jamaican culture
2. On Sunday November 9, 2009 The Mighty Diamonds were awarded a Congressional Proclamation from Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke, of the 11th Congressional District in Brooklyn, New York.
3. A Citation for achievement and contribution to society from Marty Markowitz, Brooklyn Borough President
4. the first ever Award for Excellence from TSO Productions and the Coalition to Preserve Reggae Music.
5. On Feb. 21, 2010, following their performance at the sold out 29th annual Ragga Muffins reggae festival at Long Beach Arena in Long Beach, CA, The Mighty Diamonds received the Ragga Muffins Festival Lifetime Achievment Award of Recognition.
6. June 18, 2011, The Mighty Diamonds were presented with a Congressional Proclamation from the office of USA Congressman Gregory W. Meeks (NY-6), Senior Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and House Financial Services for outstanding contribution to the Caribbean Diaspora thus proclaiming Sat June 18, 2011 "The Mighty Diamonds Day"
7. Sat Oct 29, 2011 The Honorable Delegate Shirley Nathan-Pulliam of Baltimore honored The Mighty Diamonds with the citation of achievement from the State of Maryland house of Delegates.
Known for hits such as "Pass the Kutchie," "Right Time," "Master Plan" "Tamarind Farm," "Reggae Street" and "Sweet Lady," the Mighty Diamonds formed in Trench Town Jamaica in 1969. The Mighty Diamonds' breakthrough album "Right Time," elevated the group to rock star status in 1975. Produced by Joseph Hoo Kim, "Right Time" brought together the Jamaican musical elite such as Sly and Robby (drum and bass) and Ancel Collins (keyboards) generated hits such as "Africa," "Have Mercy" "Natural Natty," "Them Never Love Poor Marcus" and the reggae party album, "Pass the Kutchie," which has been sampled by everyone from Lauryn Hill to Michael Franti to Wyclef Jean. The Mighty Diamonds have also released their latest single, "Special Lady," a remake of Ray, Goodman and Brown's 1980's ballad, on their independent label, Street Corner Music.
------------- Yellow Wall Dub Squad --------------
The Yellow Wall Dub Squad came together in Jamaica to form the band after the members had spent years as studio musicians. They felt that they had more to offer their art and the banding together would give them a venue to express themselves in ways they had not been able to in the past. Over a decade later, the band is still going strong and has been on an almost continual tour. They perform both as a headlining band as well as the backing band for numerous reggae artists such as The Melodians, RazorBlade, The Mighty Diamonds, and Half Pint. They have become one of the most recognizable bands in the genre by their peers and their fans know that their music reigns supreme in the world of reggae.
The Yellow Wall Dub Squad hearkens back to the reggae that many in the United States think of when they think of artists such as Bob Marley. They have that classic reggae sound that seems to be rarer in today's world. The five members of the band have a sound that is classic but that is also a breath of fresh air in a cluttered musical world as well. A Yellow Wall Dub Squad concert is more of a celebration of life than a simple concert and it is easy for the crowd to just relax and revel in the music as a celebration of all that makes them feel good.
There are not too many bands around that can bring the crowd together as one and just make everyone feel as if all is right in the universe. The Yellow Wall Dub Squad is one of these rare groups. Whether they are performing alone or backing another artist, their feel-good music shines a ray of light into the crowd and soothes the mind and soul in a way few artists can achieve.
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The following is courtesy of reggaeville.com
As the Hope Diamond is an American national treasure, the Mighty Diamonds are Jamaican national treasures.
Every reggae fan has at least one favorite song by the Mighty Diamonds: "Pass the Kutchie," "Right Time," "Master Plan" "Tamarind Farm," and the list goes on. Formed in Trench Town, 1969, Jamaica's premier harmony trio are currently celebrating 40 years of making music, from the most militant roots reggae to the sweetest lover's rock.
The Mighty Diamonds--Fitzroy, "Bunny" Simpson, Donald "Tabby" Shaw and Lloyd "Judge" Ferguson--know what soul is all about. The three reggae warriors have risen from the poverty and despair of inner city Kingston to become learned reggae ambassadors who have traveled throughout Europe, the U.S., Africa and Japan spreading the gospel of harmony and emancipation from mental slavery.
"Right Time," The Mighty Diamonds' breakthrough album on the Channel One label, elevated the group to rock star status in 1975. Produced by Joseph Hoo Kim, "Right Time" brought together the Jamaican musical elite such as Sly and Robby (drum and bass) and Ancel Collins (keyboards) generated hits such as "Africa," "Have Mercy" "Natural Natty," "Them Never Love Poor Marcus" and the reggae party album, "Pass the Kutchie," which has been sampled by everyone from Lauryn Hill to Michael Franti to Wyclef Jean.
With wisdom and experience behind them, not to mention more albums and singles than they can count, the Mighty Diamonds are still selling out venues around the world. Led by Tabby's ebullient tenor, their live show is a journey through the African Diaspora from gospel to R&B to roots reggae and dancehall, including covers of songs by the Stylistics ("Country Living") Bob Marley, ("Get Up, Stand Up") Curtis Mayfield ("It's All Right to Have a Good Time") Jester Hairston ("Amen") and AltonEllis ("Still in Love").
The Mighty Diamonds have appeared on a number of compilations including "Is it Rolling Bob? A Reggae Tribute to Bob Dylan" (Sanctuary, 2004), "Old to the New" A Steely & Clevie Tribute to Joe Gibbs Classics" (VP, 2002) and "Fire on the Mountain: Reggae Celebrates The Grateful Dead ("Pow Wow, 1996).
(text courtesy of http://www.reggaeville.com )
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LocationParadise Theater (View)
215 Grand Ave.
Paonia, CO 81428
United States
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