Errol Blackwood – Singer, Songwriter, Musician

Errol Blackwood was born in the Accompong (Maroon) Hills of Jamaica. He moved to Toronto Canada at an early age where he learned to play the Bass Guitar. He played with several bands in Ontario doing a mixture of RNB, Rock and Funk. His love for music comes from a variety of sources, from the church of his father who was a pastor, the Nyahbingi Drummers, the School music drama concert and the Jukebox playing from Country to Rhythm n Blues. In 1980, Errol formed the band Messenjah, along with Ray Ruddock and Rupert Harvey. They recorded two albums and a video under the WEA record label. Messenjah toured extensively for 6 years traveling across Canada and the U.S.A The band regrouped in 1986. Highlights included sharing stage with Hugh Masekela, The Clash, Frank Zappa and, Reggae Sun-Splash CBC TV Concert in the park and Much Music cross Canada simulcast. Errol is a serious Rastaman whose faith is the driving force in his life. It characterizes his being. With his sporting majestic dreadlocks, he pens plays and sings out his hunger for Justice and Equal Rights. He is certainly one of the hardest working entertainers in Canada today.

Damian “Junior Gong” Marley | Ballaflex

Damian Marley is the youngest son of legendary musician Bob Marley and, like, the rest of his family, is a full-time musician. Marley was born to his father and Cindy Breakspeare, who was Miss World 1976. He was only two years old when his father died. And was nicknamed “Junior Gong” in honor of his father, who’d been known as “Tuff Gong.” Damian has been in the music business since he was 13 years old, making his record-producing debut with 1996’s “Mr. Marley.” The album was a critical hit, stirring up quite a few fans. His 2nd album “Halfway Tree” came in 2001. The album’s name is a reference to his mother growing up in the richer part of life and his father in the poorer – in other words, he’s halfway between rich and poor. Halfway Tree is also a landmark of sorts in Kingston that denotes the cultural apex of New Kingston. The album snagged a 2002 Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album. In 2004 Damian participated in a 270 city tour called the “Bob Marley Roots, Rock, Reggae Festival” with four of his brothers. This would mark a trend with Marley, as he frequently tours with his brothers while they’re playing, especially Julian and Stephen, two members of the Ghetto Youths Crew. He appeared along with Julian in Stephen’s video for one of his songs, “The Traffic Jam”. He has also appeared in collaborations with various artists, including Cyprus Hill, Mariah Carey, Lil’ Kim and Snoop Dogg. 2005 saw the release of Marley’s third album “Welcome to Jamrock”, which won two Grammy awards for the album – Best Reggae Album and Best Urban/Alternative Performance – making him the first and only Jamaican-born reggae artist to take two Grammies in the same night. Like his father and family members Marley is a devout Rastafarian who believes in brotherly peace and freedom for all.

Bob Marley & The Wailers | BBC Special – “Stir It Up”

Bob Marley & The Wailers was created in 1974 by Bob Marley, after Peter Tosh and Bunny Wailer left the precursor band, The Wailers. Bob Marley & The Wailers consisted of Bob Marley himself as guitarist, songwriter and lead singer, the Wailers Band as the backing band, and the I Threes as backup vocalists. The Wailers Band included the brothers Carlton and Aston "Family Man" Barrett on drums and bass respectively, Junior Marvin and Al Anderson on lead guitar, Tyrone Downie and Earl "Wya" Lindo on keyboards, and Alvin "Seeco" Patterson on percussion. The I Threes, consisted of Bob Marley's wife Rita Marley, Judy Mowatt and Marcia Griffiths.

Bob Marley & the Wailers | “Catch a Fire 1999 part 1″

When Bob Marley, Bunny Livingston (Wailer), and Peter McIntosh (Tosh) entered the studio and began recording Catch a Fire in 1972, they had already established an impressive track record on the island of Jamaica. But when they signed to Chris Blackwell's Island label, their music reached a new level. While reggae music had not been tremendously popular at this time, The Wailers proved their style of reggae was strong enough to carry a full-length album.