I have been getting the itch to  play in jazz group again and recently decided to get my fellow band mates together twice a week to play some jazz standards as well as exploring the funkier side of the genre (more…)

Ziggy Marley

Ziggy Marley performing in 2007.
Background information
Birth name	David Nesta Marley
Also known as	Ziggy Marley
Born	October 17, 1968 (1968-10-17) (age 42) Trenchtown, Jamaica
Genres	Reggae
Occupations	Musician, Singer-songwriter, Guitarist, voice actor
Instruments	Guitar, vocals, Piano, percussion
Years active	1979–present
Labels	Tuff Gong Worldwide
Associated acts	Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers
Website	www.ziggymarley.com

David “Ziggy” Marley (born October 17, 1968, Trenchtown, Jamaica) is a Jamaican musician and leader of the band Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers. He is the oldest son of famed reggae musician Bob Marley.^[1] His father gave him the nickname “Ziggy”; he has stated that it means “a small joint”.^[2]

Musical career

In 1979, Ziggy and his siblings, Cedella, Stephen and Sharon made their recording debut with their father, “Children Playing in the Streets”. The Melody Makers, as the group came to be known, played occasionally for several years, including at their father’s funeral in 1981. Their debut LP was Play the Game Right, which was a very pop-oriented album, earning Ziggy some derision from critics. The band’s label, EMI, wanted to market Ziggy as a solo act, and so the Melody Makers moved to Virgin Records, where they recorded Conscious Party (1988, produced by Chris Frantz and Tina Weymouth). The album was critically and popularly successful, as was One Bright Day (1989) and Jahmekya (1991).

Ziggy Marley singing at Guilfest 2011

As the 1990s continued, the Melody Makers’ sales slowly declined, beginning with Joy and Blues (1993) and continuing with Free Like We Want 2 B (1995).

Ziggy became politically active, working with the United Nations and released on April 15, 2003. On July 2, 2006, his second solo album, Love Is My Religion, was released on his independent record company Tuff Gong Worldwide. This album won a Grammy for best Reggae album and this was Ziggy’s 4th Grammy win. On May 5, 2009, his third solo children’s album Family Time, was released on his independent record company Tuff Gong Worldwide. Family Time features Family and Friends, Rita Marley, Cedella Marley, Judah Marley, Paul Simon, Willie Nelson, Jack Johnson, Toots Hibbert, Laurie Berkner, Elizabeth Mitchell and more. This album won a Grammy for “Best Musical Album for Children”.

Some of his most popular singles include “True To Myself”, “Drive”, “People Get Ready”, and his US Top 40 and Us Top 20 hit “Tomorrow People”.

In April 2011, Marley announced his fourth album, entitled Wild and Free would be released on June 14. The title track, featuring Woody Harrelson, is available for free with the pre-order of Ziggy’s first comic book, “Marijuanaman.”^[3]

Personal life

Ziggy Marley is the oldest son of Bob Marley. He is married to Orly Marley, who is a former vice-president of William Morris Agency. He also has 6 children, Daniel Marley, Justice Marley, Zuri Marley, Judah Victoria, Gideon Robert Nesta, and Abraham Selassie Robert Nesta.^[4] Most of the family resides in Miami.

Philanthropy

• Ziggy Marley founded Unlimited Resources Giving Enlightenment (URGE), which works to help children (especially in Jamaica and Ethiopia).^[5][6]

In 2007, Marley signed on as an official supporter of Little Kids Rock, a nonprofit organization that provides free musical instruments and free lessons to children in public schools throughout the United States. He has visited with children in the program and sits on the organization’s board of directors as an honorary member.

Randy Ponzio will be opening the show with his band(yet to chose there name) set starting at 8:45pm sharp, playing a killer 30 minute set of  original songs.

Paul Clarke Drums

JC Thompson Bass

Sean Dimitrie Guitar

Tonye Aganaba Vocals

Over the past two years Randy Ponzio has steadily been recognized for his unique sound which at its core is pop and soul with hints of reggae. Randy’s intense lyrics and soul-stopping voice are the medium to deliver his message of hope and humanity in his music.

Much of Randy’s music comes from the humanitarian work Randy has done in places such as the Philippines and countries in East Africa. Prior to starting his musical career he traveled to the Philippines where he established a birth clinic and feeding program for pregnant mothers and malnourished children that is still in operation. He has also traveled to East Africa to work with children there, and was in Kenya in January 2009 where he witnessed first-hand the post-election violence the country suffered.

“I was blown away by the people of Kenya who opened up their doors for me in safety, shelter and food as well. It was humanity serving humanity despite the politics of a rigged election that chose to divide people into groups in a potential tribal war,” Randy said about his experience in Kenya. He remembered the joy in the eyes of one particular woman he and his team rescued, who offered all that she had – a few tomatoes – in gratitude for her rescue.

It was this experience that led to the song Hallelujah, which recalls the chilling events of that time period as well a verse about the history of the region from Kenyan born, Juno winning artist Shad. Randy continues to work with children in Kenya and is establishing programs with the Bavubuka Foundation to assist East African children in music education, giving these kids the tools to create their own musical voices.

Randy performed at the Montreal Jazz Festival and recently opened for Ky-Mani Marley at Vancouver’s legendary Commodore Ballroom. Most recently, Randy won the Shore 104.3 FM Song Search with his song “For the People”. He is working with producer Shawn Cole (Bend Sinister, Hannah Georgas) towards the release of an upcoming EP.

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