Good music, good fun, and good people; 7th Annual BOB MARLEY BIRTHDAY TRIBUTE

BY SIMONE J. SMITH

We now find ourselves living in a post-pandemic world where mistrust and intolerance continue to remain dominant, as much as it did in the 60s. On Saturday February 11^th, 2023, I was reminded that there is an aspect of life that has consistently brought people together, and that aspect of life is music.

The Toronto Caribbean Newspaper was invited to 17th Annual BOB MARLEY BIRTHDAY TRIBUTE, put on by Lazo & Exodus: North America’s #1 Bob Marley Tribute Act. It was hosted by Kwasi “da Food God” Douglas at Lee’s Palace, 529 Bloor St. W.

The vibe, oh the vibe that night was everything. People from all nationalities, cultures, and races were there to honor the man, the prophet, the legend Robert Nesta Marley whose politically and spiritually driven messages of revolution and liberation, had the power to jettison you directly to a higher state of consciousness. Saturday night satisfied the yearning for an even deeper, visceral understanding of Afro-Jamaican reggae music. What Marley brought to the world stage was something beyond its time.

NuFunk Concerts’ Bob Marley Birthday Tribute is the biggest and longest-running Bob Marley Tribute in Toronto, and one of the hottest local reggae concerts. It showcased the very best of Toronto’s roots reggae music scene while raising vital food donations for the Parkdale Food Bank.

This year, North America’s #1 Bob Marley Tribute band, Lazo & Exodus, were joined by up-and-coming Toronto band Reggaddiction and The Pressure Drop Selectas for their annual tribute to reggae’s first international superstar, a special celebration of what would have been Marley’s 78^th birthday.

Juno award-winning Lazo brought to the stage a rousing performance that transported us back to a time when unity was on the tip of people’s lips, when people all around the world were locked into the music, and its ability to transcend hate, suffering, racism, and the pains of daily life.

Arriving in Canada in the 80s Lazo followed his dream of honing his craft as a songwriter and multi-talented musician. He has produced several albums including “Impetus,” Juno nominated album “Something Real” and Juno award-winning album “Heart and Soul.” As a former member of the Wailers Band, he was able to provide us with a true Bob Marley experience. As a lifelong learner, he continues to focus his attention on world issues including: the environment, pan-African concerns, his philanthropic endeavors, agriculture and growing food insecurity.

In 2010, he toured the United States and South America with the world-renowned Wailers. The group was Bob Marley’s original backup band, featuring Aston “Family Man” Barrett on bass, and the legendary Keith Sterling on keys. Lazo is also known as the frontman for the Bob Marley Legend show produced by Craig Martin’s Classic Albums Live.

We were also blessed with the sounds of Reggaddiction, a Toronto-based 10-piece reggae band known for delivering cross-over vibes, refreshing vocal harmonies, and powerful instrumental riddims. The band includes sensational vocals led by the 2020 Soul Slam Winner Dave “D’Vocalz” Matthews, charismatic songstress Trish Campbell and Sunray Grennan the son of the famous Jamaican drummer Winston Grennan (who recorded hits with Bob Marley, Jimmy Cliff, and Toots & The Maytals).

The backing band includes a who’s who of Toronto’s top reggae musicians including multi-horn, multi-percussion, multi-drum, and a powerful guitar, bass, and keys instrumental section.

The band’s live debut was in February 2019 opening for Sister Nancy and some of the largest shows in Canada.  They have headlined both the 2019 Beaches Jazz Festival at Woodbine Park with Otis Gayle, and the 2019 Caribana launch party at Dundas Square with Carol Brown.

With reggae riddims powered by a 10-piece band and three talented vocalists, Reggaddiction took us right back to the islands. Toronto came together, danced, and breezed out for the night. Some local celebrity faces included: the one Lord Fury, Honourable Conusulat Brenda Foreman, Lauren ‘DJ Chocolate’ Speers, Lord Sassafrass, and Papa Levi, all there to celebrate a night of good music, good fun, and good people.