GROUNDATION BIOGRAFIA

GROUNDATION BIOGRAFIA

Groundation is an American roots reggae band with jazz and dub influences, from Sonoma County in Northern California. It is named for the Rastafari holy day.

History

Formed in the fall of 1998 by Harrison Stafford, Marcus Urani, and Ryan Newman, Groundation began on the campus of Sonoma State University's Jazz Program. Between 1999 and 2001, Harrison Stafford taught the first course on the History of Reggae Music at the University. In 1999, Stafford teamed up with Kris Dilbeck to found Young Tree Records and release Groundation's debut album Young Tree."Groundation" comes from the Rasta term "Grounation". Grounation Day (April 21) is an important Rastafarian holy day, and second after Coronation Day (November 2). It is celebrated in honor of Haile Selassie's 1966 visit to Jamaica.
In 2000 they added to the line up David Chachere, a San Francisco-based jazz trumpeter, and Kelsey Howard, a North Bay trombone player.Saxophonist Jason Robinson was a member of the band for a time, and has since gone on to become the head of the jazz program at UC San Diego. Drummer Paul Spina (Les Claypool, Will Bernard's Mother Bug) has been with the group since taking over for James Stafford in December 2001; he left the group in summer 2008. Kim Pommell and Kerry Ann Morgan (both graduates of Kingston's Ashe performing arts school) joined in 2006, and are featured lead vocalists on Groundation's 2009 release Here I Am. In 2012, vocalist Jhamiela Smith joined the group , daughter of legendary reggae guitarist Earl "Chinna" Smith, to sing chorus along with Kim Pommell. They are current chorus vocalists for Groundation.
The nine-piece band creates an altogether new reggae sound, featuring swirling, jazz/funk inspired horns, stout Latin and African based poly-rhythmics, and soulful harmony vocals. Their concerts utilize live improvisation, in classic jazz fashion, and are renowned for their high energy, communion-type atmosphere. Having gained international notoriety for their progressive fusion style, Groundation regularly plays at major international festivals like Summerjam.
The band use analog instruments and recording equipment rather than digital, with Stafford explaining "No digital, we don't work with synthesisers. Just like in the 1970s we stick to that format."


ESPAÑOL

Groundation es una banda de roots reggae de Sonoma de la Alta California, EE. UU. Fue formada en 1998 por Harrison Stafford, Marcus Urani, y Ryan Newman. Tras la unión de Stafford con Kris Dilbeck en 1999 fundan la discográfica Young Tree Records, en la cual graban su primer disco, Young Tree.

Su nombre viene de la idea de estar todos a un mismo nivel (de ground suelo en inglés) y desde ahí poder aprender como iguales sin que haya jerarquías o clases sociales. Cabe destacar que esta banda utiliza en la gran mayoría de sus temas el estilo de percusión nyabinghi, el cual se utilizaba en las asambleas religiosas rastafaris grounations (de Ground suelo y nations naciones, en inglés) que tenían la idea de estar todos en igualdad. Sobre su estilo también se puede decir que esta banda contiene influencia del jazz en la ejecución de sus instrumentos de viento

Integrantes

En el 2000 se suman David Chachere, trompetista de San Francisco con experiencia en jazz; Kelsey Howard, trombonista de North Bay y el percusionista Paul Spina en 2001. El Saxofonista Jason Robinson estuvo durante un tiempo en la banda pero la dejo para ser la cabeza del programa de jazz UC San Diego.

Integrantes Actuales

Harrison Stafford – Voz, guitarra

Ryan Newman – Bajo

Marcus Urani – Órgano Hammond y Teclado

David "Diesel" Chachere – Trompeta

Kelsey Howard – Trombón

Paul Spina – Batería

Kerry Ann Morgan – Coros

Kim Pommell - Coros

Ben Krames – Congas, Timbales, Percusión

Discografía

Álbumes de Estudio

Young Tree (1999)

Each One Teach One (2001)

Hebron Gate (2002)

We Free Again (2004)

Dub Wars (2005)

Upon the Bridge (2006)

Rockamovia (2008) (Proyecto independiente de Groundation)

Here I am (2009)

Gathering of the Elders (2011)

Building An Ark (2012)

WEBSITE

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