Doors at 8:00 pm; Show at 8:30 pm

Tickets are $15 Advance / $18 Day of Show

Buy Tickets Here

Two of Bay Area’s most phenomenal ensembles of top-notch musicians bring the sounds of Africa and the African Diaspora in one evening. DJ Drew will be spinning between Joseph's Bones' and Orchestra Gold's live sets.

Orchestra Gold: Led by the ferocious Mariam Diakité from Bamako, Orchestra Gold {OG} promotes pre-digital age (OldStyle) music from Mali, West Africa.

OG hypnotizes audiences with danceable, funky, high-energy 1960's orchestra music from Mali. These roots are colored by tinges of 60’s era analog psychedelic rock and funk from West Africa.

The building blocks of OG’s music are folkloric songs, often told in parable. These songs contain inspiration, wisdom, and deep insight into the human condition. They have served to uplift Malians beyond the harsh realities of daily life. Especially in this time of social turbulence, this age-old wisdom brings us a renewed perspective on modern-day existence.

Composer and drummer Jason Levis leads his instrumental dub-reggae orchestra, Joseph’s Bones, in bringing the electronic sound-transformation processes of Jamaican dub to an acoustic setting. The ensemble pulls the thread between visceral groove and abstract sonic suspension. 

Featuring 14 of the Bay Area’s best musicians, Joseph's Bones draws inspiration from the roots reggae of Bob Marley and the Wailers, the dub sounds of King Tubby and the soaring horn lines the of Skatalites. This instrumental group is new to the scene, but old in its tradition, bringing an ecstatic spirit to deep appreciation for reggae music’s traditions.

Levis, who holds a PhD in classical composition from UC Berkeley, says “The exploration of experimental techniques in classical music takes place in the concert hall. Jamaican music experiments are brought to the dance floor. Joseph's Bones blends those worlds to create "Avant-Dub Instrumentale" and bring the rich, colorful sound-scape of dub to life.”

In the lineage of experimentation by dub masters Lee "Scratch" Perry and King Tubby, Joseph's Bones reconstructs and re-imagines echo, reverb and delay without the use of electronic effects. The ensemble employs an acoustic language of dub-improvisation to subvert traditional song form and fragment the music's surface texture while never losing the physical impact of dance music. This is real-time live acoustic dub.

Levis has been deeply involved in reggae music for over 30 years, and has performed internationally. In his studies of jazz, improvisation, and modern classical music, he realized that dub is an intersection point where texture and sonic space can be invested with meaning and stand side by side with rhythm, melody, and harmony.

Each of the band’s members is a serious performer in their own right, leading groups from ska to salsa, jazz and blues. The blend of influences is distilled down into a singular sound through their love of reggae.      

Joseph's Bones, a member of the Bay Area Reggae Collective, is currently working on the vinyl release their double album "Nomadic Pulse - Pulse in Dub" planned for 2018.

Doors at 8:30 pm; Show at 9:00 pm

Tickets are $15 Advance / $18 Day of Show

Buy Tickets Here

The Caribbean Allstars are pioneers in the Bay Area reggae scene and longtime regulars at Ashkenaz. The ensemble, whose geographical roots range from Jamaica and South America to West Africa and the U.S., began joining together their musical forces and international backgrounds during the early 1970s. Out of such predecessors as Obeah and the Sons of Creation, the Caribbean Allstars were formed and became the founding fathers of Bay Area roots reggae. Although many musicians have come through the band since its founding, it has long been guided by its director, Trinidad-born drummer Hugh “Sweetfoot” Maynard. The Caribbean Allstars not only play Jamaican reggae with a traditional electric bass-drums-guitars-keyboards lineup, but also add steel drums to bring in South Caribbean calypso and soca styles of Trinidad and Tobago, producing rhythms that drive listeners to the dance floor. Over the years the band has performed with an array of talent sitting in, including Taj Mahal, Narada Michael Walden, and Carlos Santana. Santana played on their second album and introduced them as “my favorite band” at the 1987 Bay Area Music Awards (Bammies). The Allstars were featured on Ashkenaz’s 30th anniversary CD and have for many years been one of the core bands of the extended Ashkenaz world music and dance community.

Doors at 7:30pm ; Show at 8pm

$15 Advance ; $18 Day of Show

Buy Tickets Here

The members of Mabrak are the international masters of roots, rock, reggae sound and have had hits on the British Charts with ITAL TALK/LIQUID TALK in the mid '70s. Their recordings are well known in Germany, France, and in London. You can also hear them on the Jamaica's Golden Hits, Vol 1 recording doing the gem "Oh Carolina" A Jamaican CLassic from the 1960s.

The Founder and leader Leroy Mabrak was responsible for these musical landmarks, he has also developed the Worlds first electric repeater drum and functions as a resource consultant for drum music at Stanford University. This was the first time in the history of recorded music anywhere in the world when the Talking drum was used as a lead instrument in a song.

They have won four medals for musical composition and arramgement at the World Music Championships 2003, which was held in Burbank, California.

Doors open 7:30pm / Show at 8pm

Tickets are $15 in Advance / $18 Day of Show

Buy Tickets Here

Earl has been crafting his style since the 1970's, playing with Soul Syndicate, one of the top Jamaican reggae session bands, having recorded with Bob Marley as well.  Our current lineup consists of a 5-piece ensemble of Earl Zero on vocals, Luna Fuentes-Vaccaro on drums, Jon Robin Nichols on rhythm/lead guitar, Nicholas James Lyon-Wright on bass, and Michael Solomon on keys.  Earl's numerous songs may be found on Spotify, iTunes, as well as YouTube.  His latest album, Roots and Romance, is available for purchase online. 

Junior Reggae is a Bay Area instrumental ska/dub/reggae quartet. Influences range from classic Skatalites recordings of the 1960s to the “Far East Sound” of Augustus Pablo, 1970s dub innovations of Lee “Scratch” Perry and King Tubby and contemporary time-stretching beat making strategies in hip-hop production. The band was founded by bassist and multi-instrumentalist Rob Ewing (Electric Squeezebox Orchestra, Brass Magic) along with longtime collaborator, drummer and composer Jason Levis (Joseph’s Bones, duo B). Building up from the bass and drums foundation, the duo enlisted keyboardist Steven Blum (Bells Atlas, Electric Squeezebox Orchestra) working as a trio for some time before adding the final member of the group, trumpeter Max Miller-Loran (Invisible Inc., Brass Magic). The group is currently finishing its debut album, scheduled for release in Fall 2018.

Doors at at 8:30pm / Show at 9pm

Tickets are $25 Advance / $30 Day of Show

Buy Tickets Here

For thirty years, Michael Rose has been recording and performing his brand of militant, hardcore Jamaican music to the delight of reggae fans around the world. As a solo artist, with Black Uhuru, and back as a solo artist, the "Ruff" Rose has achieved great success throughout his career, even as different Jamaican musical styles have phased in and out of popularity.

Perhaps the highest profile recognition came in 1984, when Michael Rose and the other Black Uhuru members (Duckie Simpson, Puma Jones, Sly Dunbar, and Robbie Shakespeare) won reggae's first Grammy award for the album, Anthem. But the story doesn't begin with Black Uhuru. In 1976, Michael Rose was already a seasoned performer, having honed his skills by performing on Jamaica's hotel circuit. When an early incarnation of Black Uhuru (Ducky Simpson and Errol Nelson) approached Michael to join the group, he already had several solo singles to his credit. These include the original "Guess Who's Coming To Dinner" and "Clap the Barber," both recorded for producer Niney The Observer, and "Running Around" for Winston Campbell.

Black Uhuru's first full length was released in 1977 and called Love Crisis. It was produced by King Jammy (then Prince Jammy), and the big hit of the album was "I Love King Selassie." But it was not until the Showcase album was released in 1980-with a new lineup of Michael Rose, Duckie Simpson, and Puma Jones-that Black Uhuru reached their creative peak. Heartbeat reissued the set on CD (Guess Who's Coming To Dinner, HB 18), which includes the massive 12" singles "Shine Eye Gal," "General Penitentiary," "Plastic Smile," and of course, "Guess Who's Coming To Dinner." At the forefront of the recordings and live shows was the charismatic Michael Rose, who had incredible stage presence and a vocal style all his own. So popular was his trademark sound that singers like Don Carlos, Junior Reid, Yami Bolo , and others embraced it as the "Waterhouse" sound.

Throughout the first half of the 1980s, Black Uhuru continued their success with albums on Island Records-Sinsemilla, Red, Chill Out, and Anthem, along with compilations, dub albums, and live albums. They became the best-known reggae act since Bob Marley, and won the first reggae Grammy for Anthem in 1984. Even today, Island continues to capitalize on the group's success by re-compiling and re-releasing the group's Island years material.

With lead singer Michael Rose seemingly at the top of his game, he parted ways with Black Uhuru, with the intention of redefining his musical direction as a solo artist. In the early 1990s, Michael Rose suddenly appeared on the scene with new material including Jamaican singles produced by Sly & Robbie ("Monkey Business," "Visit Them," "One a We Two a We"), and three albums (Proud, Bonanza, and King of General) released in Japan.

As a solo artist, Michael regularly tours the U.S. and Europe, and has maintained his Jamaican fan base with hit singles on the island and abroad. He is a modern roots singer, and fits perfectly into today's scene. With a glorious past and a wide-open future, Michael Rose is truly a reggae superstar.

Doors Open at 8:30 pm / Show at 9:00 pm

Tickets are $30 advance/$35 Day of Show

Buy Tickets Here

Israel Vibration

One of the classic Jamaican reggae harmony groups, Israel Vibration continues to uphold conscious music and deep reggae grooves backed by long-time accompanists, the heralded Roots Radics band.

Growing up in Kingston, Lascelle “Wiss” Bulgin, Albert “Apple Gabriel” Craig and Cecil “Skeleton” Spence all overcame childhood polio, after meeting at the Mona Rehabilitation Clinic. Drawing on their Rastafarian faith for inspiration, they formed one of the most successful roots reggae groups of the 1970s. In the ‘80s Israel Vibration relocated to New York, members pursued solo careers, and reunited. Craig left in 1997, and Bulgin and Spence have continued as a duo, backed by Roots Radics, singing not only their hits of the past, but also newer music including songs from the 2015 album, “Play It Real.”

7th Street Band

Berkeley’s 7th Street Band has made its name backing some of the greats and new voices of reggae and running its own studio. While 7th Street Band has been hitting the West Coast stages for a decade, drummer Edi Arnold and keyboardist Benjamin Goff, friends since high school, have played together since 1992. More recently they added guitarist Jason Collins of the Funkanauts and later rounded out the group with saxophonist Barry Capiaux and bass player Jan Isaac. 7th Street Band has been called one of the Bay Area’s best-kept musical secrets and has backed many top touring vocalists, including Konshens, Marlon Asher, Fantan Mojah, and Lloyd Brown. Other artists 7th Street has worked with include Army, Wadi Gad, Tuff Lion, Messenjah Selah, Earl Zero, Winstrong, and Luv Fyah.

Doors at 7:30 pm; Show at 8:00 pm

Tickets are $15 Advance /
$20 Day of Show

The Party Continuette! Come join Ouida Lewis, from Kingston, Jamaica and her Rydim Lyfe band in a rocking journey of Jamaican music from Ska and Rocksteady to modern day Rootz Reggae and more!! The Rydim Lyfe band includes : Michaelle Goerlitz, Carolyn Brandy, Lillie Robinson, Amikaeyla and YOU! Bring your drum!

Doors at 9pm; Show at 9:30pm

Tickets are $25 Adv. / $30 Day of Show

Few reggae acts better capture the heart and soul of roots reggae music than the Abyssinians. Their deep catchy melodies, Rastafarian themes, and beautiful harmonIes delivered with deep spiritual feeling were instrumental in defining the entire reggae genre. Bernard Collin's lead vocals anchor the Abyssinian's hit songs such as "Forward On To Zion", "Declaration Of Rights", "This Land", "Wicked Men" and "Know Jah Today". November 2017 they did a successful US tour that was very well received. Music and singing were always around Bernard Collins in his childhood. His mother Ethel Parkes used to teach piano lessons. While growing up in Riversdale Jamaica he had the company of hot r & b music on the radio at nights and he had religious music at the Seventh Day church attended by his family. By the time Bernard moved to Kingston in the early 60's he was "one hot crooner". While scatting with friends such as Douglas Whittingham and George Henry at their homes on Bob Marley's White Road in Trench Town, that Collins started to perfect what was to become one of reggae's most recognized and valued voices. With the support and guidance of other luminaries such as Leroy Sibbles, Bernard carefully developed his experience at crafting musical works. "Girl I'm Gonna Dance Tonight" was one of his early efforts. After a stint at the Chestervale Youth Camp as a radio technician, Bernard returned to Kingston with a renewed taste for singing. In this time Bernard met Donald Manning and started a musical friendship in which they worked on music together with Mannings strumming the guitar and Bernard singing at the stables by the horse race track. Bernard's admiration and love of his African heritage led to his participation in an outpost of the Ethiopian Orthodox church. He learned about the glories and majesty represented by centuries of Ethiopian church history. In the same "church" yard one night in 1969 Bernard Collins and Donald Manning drafted the blueprint of a song that would launch them into the canon of reggae greats. The song they were nurturing was recorded and went on to become reggae's most popular song of all time - Satta Massagana. Satta Massagana quickly gained momentum as an anthem traveling from the radio airwaves to the churches of Jamaica. With this song Bernard and Donald felt the power inherent in their efforts, and along with a young third vocalist the newly formed Abyssinians sallied forth into the turbulence of Kingston's music scene. In 1969 the new lineup approached the producer Clement “Coxsone” Dodd. Dodd had produced "Happy Land" and he agreed to record the trio. At first Dodd was unhappy with session's outcome. In his opinion, the Jamaican record-buying public would have little if any interest in the Abyssinians revolutionary Rastafarian themes. Reggae was still a relatively new genre, and in its early days, it was brightly upbeat, yet the trio had slowed the beat down and smothered it in plaintive melodies in a minor key. Who in their right mind would buy such music? Who, indeed? The answer came in 1971 when the Abyssinians bought back its tape (for a ludicrously inflated sum), and released "Satta Massa Gana" as a single on their own Clinch label. The song's deeply devotional message, its dreams of far-away Africa, its throbbing rhythm, and its melancholy melody struck a chord across the island, and the song was an instant classic. A label battle between Clinch and Dodd’s Studio One label was now sparked. Belatedly realizing what he'd let slip away, Dodd quickly released "Satta Massa Gana" himself, backed with "Jerusalem," admittedly in very limited quantities. A rush of DJ versions inevitably followed. Dodd released two instrumental versions, "Night in Ethiopia" by pianist Jackie Mittu and "Cool It" by saxophonist Tommy McCook. The latter recorded another instrumental version for Clinch, "Mandella," while the label also put out several DJ versions, including two by Big Youth and one by Dillinger. Other DJs soon followed suit, but the most innovative was the Abyssinians own toasting take, "Mabrak," on which the Abyssinians recited passages from the Bible in Amharic. The Abyssinians released three further hit singles in 1971. The first was "Declaration of Rights," and never has a call to revolution sounded so sweet and heartfelt. The equally evocative "Jerusalem" also appeared in 1971, and completing a quartet of hits for the year was "Let My Days Be Long." Over the next few years, the trio continued releasing excellent singles, both on Clinch, as well as recording for other producers. However, in a musical scene renowned for its prolific output, the Abyssinians recordings were now to come few and far between, at least by Jamaican standards. But what records they were: 1972's "Leggo Beast," a simmering blend of deep roots and soul, and the deeply religious "Yim Mas Gan," excellently produced by Lloyd “Matador” Daly were some of the more notable singles released. The trio finally cut its debut album, Forward Unto Zion, in 1976, with producer Clive Hunt. Including hits, re-recordings of older classics, and new material, the record remains a roots masterpiece and brought the group great international acclaim. Their follow-up album, Arise, was released in 1978 through a deal with Bob Marley’s Tuff Gong label. Arise brought the hit single "Hey You". The Abyssinians went on to release several albums and singles with Bernard's lead vocals anchoring their most memorable songs such as Forward On To Zion, Declaration Of Rights, This Land, Wicked Men and Know Jah Today. In the late '80s, Collins resurrected a new Abyssinians and released two singles, "African Princess" and "Swing Low," on the Clinch label. in 1993 the Heartbeat label released an excellent best-of album, Satta Massagana. France's Music Disc considerately gathered up non-Clinch material for The Best of the Abyssinians the following year. Two sublime dub sets, Tabou's Satta Dub and Heartbeat's Declaration of Dub, appeared in 1998. The Abyssinians promptly released a new album, Reunion, the same year, which featured Mannings and Collins indeed reunited. However, it was a short-lived reconciliation and the next year Collins, with a new lineup released The Last Days, credited to Bernard Collins and the Abyssinians. In the early 90's Bernard reunited with childhood friends George Henry and Melvin Trusty. In 1994 Bernard fronted this trio on trips to Japan, Europe and the UK. where their performances were greatly applauded and appreciated. The Abyssinians, fronted by Bernard Collins, are one of the most spiritual reggae acts available and one of the greatest reggae acts in the history of Jamaican music. Their music spreads a message of faith, peace and love all over the world. Their catalog is moderate in quantity but their music has made a great impactSkank Bank is an American Reggae Fusion band from the San Francisco Bay Area, California, formed in 2013. The diverse Collective of musicians is led by california born Guitarist/Singer Gabriel Winter and Brazillian Drummer/Singer Marcos Rodrigues. The band has an eclectic sound that fuses roots reggae/ska with elements of jazz, funk, and rock―known for their heady psychedelic dub jams and breakdowns. Ranging from a quartet to a nonet, the group has had more than 20 members with the only consistent bandmates of Winter's being trumpet player Liam King, trombone player Adam Miller, and co-founding bassist Jiggly Streich. 
Emerging from the 924 Gilman Street Berkeley Ska-Punk revival in early 2013, Skank Bank explored various styles of Reggae and Ska. Incorperating harmonic dissonance and improvisational elements of jazz with textural elements, groovy jams, and drones of psychedelic music, the group created a cosmic and soulful sound rooted in the sounds of Jamaican one-drop, rockers, and dancehall riddims. 

Skank Bank has toured in United States and has two full-length Albums to their credit; Dance Depository (2016), and Keep Complaining (2015). Their music is also well represented in a variety of films and compilations; James Franco's Metamorphasis Junior Year (2017), Arcane Drama: A Compilation of 924 Gilman St. Music Vol. 1 (2017), UnderCover Presents: A Tribute to Green Day's Dookie (2016), and Gilman Ska Night Vol. 2 (2014). 
Skank Bank has shared the stage with The Toasters, Don Carlos, Green Day, The Supervillains, Human Rights (Bad Brains), Roddy Radiation (The Specials), Noorwood Fisher (Fishbone), Voodoo Glowskulls, Skankin Pickle, and many others.

Doors at 8:30 pm; Show at 9:00 pm

Tickets are $25 Advance / $30 Day of Show

Prezident Brown is the reigning Jamaican reggae M.C., a champion of the new roots and reality consciousness, with a message that is pure Rasta conscious vibes, from the spiritual “To Jah Only” through his more recent “Do Thy Work.” He is an artist driven by a sense of mission and purpose that, he likes to say, “edutains” (heightens the consciousness of listeners) as much as entertains. According to JamBase, “A distinct and powerful stage presence, a Prezident Brown show is a transcendent spiritual movement that leaves audiences satiated, sweaty and smiling.”

Born Fitz Albert Cotterell, Prezident Brown grew up in the green hills of Clarendon, Jamaica. As “Junior Ranking,” a name his mother gave him, he would grab the microphone and chant away at schoolyards and country dances. As a teenager, he was known as Slim Brown because of his resemblance and similar DJ style to his mentor, U Brown. Discovered by reggae producer Jack Ruby, who renamed him Prezident Brown, he became one of the hottest sound system stars, recording for a number of record companies, and in the ’90s his songs began to supplant the guns and self-hype lyrics then popular in the dance halls. Collaborations included appearing on Steel Pulse’s “Black and Proud.”

MARLA BROWN - THE CROWN PRINCESS OF REGGAE
Marla Brown is an internationally acclaimed reggae artists, and the youngest child and daughter of the late great Crown Prince of Reggae Dennis Brown with his wife Yvonne Brown. 

Very First and Debut E.P. "DELIVERANCE" Peaked No.5 in iTunes Reggae Chart in first few hours upon release 2016

First Female Reggae Artist to orchestrate an all female musical collaboration on single Survivor Allstars 2017

“If this EP is any indication Marla Brown will continue to present her
thoughtful, conscious lyrics sung in a tone that is cultivated from great
genetics and hard work.” – Reggaeville

Deborah Adela Marla Brown, popularly known as Marla, is the youngest child of the late, great Crown Prince of Reggae, Dennis Emanuel Brown. A successful international touring artist in her own right, she has graced stages in Europe, South America, Jamaica and the States first as a professional dancer, then as a singer. 

Marla recorded her first single called Better Days which featured her own original lyrics and a video was also made to accompany the single. Better Days had an overwhelmingly positive response and gained much success worldwide. The song reached number 5 on the UK charts. Marla's voice is very sweet and strong and she has an uplifting presence and message in her music. 

With many musical collaborations with some of Jamaica’s finest artists and producers, this young Princess has a bright, exciting future ahead within the music industry. 

Doors at 8:30 pm; Show at 9:00 pm

Tickets are $15 Advance / $18 Day of Show

The Caribbean Allstars are pioneers in the Bay Area reggae scene and longtime regulars at Ashkenaz. The ensemble, whose geographical roots range from Jamaica and South America to West Africa and the U.S., began joining together their musical forces and international backgrounds during the early 1970s. Out of such predecessors as Obeah and the Sons of Creation, the Caribbean Allstars were formed and became the founding fathers of Bay Area roots reggae. Although many musicians have come through the band since its founding, it has long been guided by its director, Trinidad-born drummer Hugh “Sweetfoot” Maynard.

The Caribbean Allstars not only play Jamaican reggae with a traditional electric bass-drums-guitars-keyboards lineup, but also add steel drums to bring in South Caribbean calypso and soca styles of Trinidad and Tobago, producing rhythms that drive listeners to the dance floor. Over the years the band has performed with an array of talent sitting in, including Taj Mahal, Narada Michael Walden, and Carlos Santana. Santana played on their second album and introduced them as “my favorite band” at the 1987 Bay Area Music Awards (Bammies). The Allstars were featured on Ashkenaz’s 30th anniversary CD and have for many years been one of the core bands of the extended Ashkenaz world music and dance community.

Doors at 8:30 pm; Show at 9:00 pm

Tickets are $15 Advance / $18 Day of Show

Berkeley’s 7th Street Band has made its name backing some of the greats and new voices of reggae and running its own studio. While 7th Street Band has been hitting the West Coast stages for over a decade, drummer Edi Arnold and keyboardist Benjamin Goff, friends since high school, have played together since 1992. Edi, as founding member and Ben, as his right hand man have been the foundation and executive producers of all 7th Street works.

7th Street Band has been called one of the Bay Area’s best-kept musical secrets and has backed many top touring vocalists, including Sanchez, Gappy Ranks, Glenn Washington, Konshens, Louie Culture and Million Stylez. Other artists 7th Street has worked with include Arkaingelle, Mega Banton,Norris Man, Danny I, Army, Rocker T, Wadi Gad, Tuff Lion, Messenjah Selah, Earl Zero, Winstrong, and Luv Fyah. Mony Lujan of Dubwize, on bass since 2010, rounds out the trio that makes up the heart of 7th St. Band.