Introducing Rochester, New York's most experienced
Reggae band . . . BIG ROOTS is a nine-piece Reggae powerhouse
concentrating on the music that propelled Reggae into worldwide
prominence. Several members have been performing Reggae for over 2
decades, as members of the ground-breaking BAHAMA MAMA and the
critically acclaimed MAJESTICS.
The
foundation of BIG ROOTS is the rhythm section that drove the
aforementioned bands. RON STACKMAN (keyboards & lead vocals), LOU
LaVILLA (drums & lead vocals) and JIM SCHWARZ (bass & vocals)
have been playing together since 1972 and are regarded as forerunners
of the ROCK/REGGAE fusion that is now widely accepted. As members of
BAHAMA MAMA and the MAJESTICS, they have opened for such Reggae
greats as BIG YOUTH, BLACK UHURU, SLY & ROBIE, CULTURE, JIMMY
CLIFF, DENNIS BROWN, ZIGGY MARLEY, EEK-A-MOUSE, GREGORY ISSACS, THE
HEPTONES, THE MIGHTY DIAMONDS, TOOTS & THE MAYTALS, THIRD WORLD,
THE WAILERS, YELLOWMAN and many others. They toured extensively with
BURNING SPEAR and PETER TOSH as well as recording an album and
touring with the legendary LEE
"SCRATCH" PERRY. While with Perry they played several shows with THE
CLASH during the historic "THE CLASH ON BROADWAY" concerts in New
York City.
Joining the trio are two additional members of the
original BAHAMA MAMA; saxophonists KEN CURRY and CHARLES FREIDA have
assembled a magnificent horn section with DAVE "Tarheel" GIBSON
(trombone) and Trevor Neumann (trumpet) completing the four-man horn
attack. These extremely talented musicians combine to create a horn
sound that is powerful yet restrained and tasteful; an integral part
of the big roots sound.
Vinnie Ruggiero (guitar) is accomplished in a variety
of musical styles, including jazz and classical, while still being
able to honor the great legacy that is Reggae guitar.
BIG ROOTS came together in
January of 1992. Their desire to play together grew out of a
determination to faithfully present the music that they have loved so
dearly, quintessential Reggae and Calypso music of the 60's, 70's and
beyond. Reggae before computer riddims, before dance-hall slackness,
before versions way outnumbered sessions. Classic reggae music
featuring full blown arrangements. Rock solid drum & bass with
piano, bubbling organ, scratchy guitar, sweet melody and conscious
lyrics. Big horn section. Big vocal harmonies. Big Sound.
BIG ROOTS. EVERY TIME.
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