Biography Wikipedia
Group Members: Jason Robinson
Wikipedia:
Groundation is an American roots reggae band with jazz and dub influences from Sonoma County in Northern California.
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 Sonoma State University.) In 1999, Stafford teamed up with Kris Dilbeck to found Young Tree Records and release Groundation's debut album of the same name. "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.
The 9-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.
Lineup
Members
Harrison Stafford – vocals, guitarMarcus Urani – b3, keyboardsRyan Newman – bassDavid Chachere – trumpetKelsey Howard – tromboneTe Kenawa Haereiti aka. Rufus – drums (since summer 2008)Mingo Lewis Jr. – congas, timbales, percussion (he took a break in 2007)Kim Pommell – chorusKerry-Ann Morgan – chorusFormer members
Paul Spina - drums (from December 2001 to July 2008)Jason Robinson - saxophone (on all albums but is only occasionally on stage with the band during US tours)James Stafford - drums (on the first two albums)Shawna Anderson - chorus (from 1999 to 2004)Adaria Armstrong - chorus (2004)Jeannine Guillory - chorus (2005)Ekua Impraim - chorus (2005)Ikesha Johnson - chorus (2006)Benjamin Krames - congas, timbales, percussion (in 2007, during Mingo's break)Rockamovya - A Groundation side project
The three founding members of Groundation (Harrison Stafford, Marcus Urani and Ryan Newman) joined with the Jamaican drummer Leroy "Horsemouth" Wallace and Will Bernard in June 2008 to form Rockamovya. The name comes from Wallace's Jamaican patois style and is meant to show the unity and power of the music.
