GMRF LINEUP 2025

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Jesse Royal is an internationally acclaimed singer, songwriter, performer,and recording artist from Kingston, Jamaica. Through vivid storytelling rootedin the belief of a universal truth, his music carries a message of hope,strength, love, and consciousness. Not just a musician, Royal is a father, acommunity activist, a thought leader, and a global citizen guided by hisspirituality and sense of righteousness.

10 Ft Ganja Plant was born from a desire to play the only music most of us knew how, and to water the tree that had borne each of us such abundant fruit, and yet in the summer of 1999, seemed in danger of disappearing from the world… Roots Reggae. Being collectors of the music, we sought out many pieces of vintage equipment to make these records. At the time, most of us were out touring for several weeks at a time with John Brown’s Body. We would get off the road and run to the studio, which at the time was called “Mang Studio”, or, as some of us called it, home, and try out ideas for new songs. Throughout the summer’s long, sweltering sessions, we would frequently take breaks, hitting the rooftop to get a breath of fresh air and watch and wait for the next track to begin to materialize, usually right out of the thick air. Then back down to put it to tape. Raw.

Sister Nancy, aka Muma Nancy, real name Ophlin Russell-Myers, (born Ophlin Russell, 2 January 1962, Kingston, Jamaica) is a dancehall DJ and singer. She is known to the world as the first female dancehall DJ and was described as being a "dominating female voice for over two decades" on the dancehall scene. One of her most famous songs is "Bam Bam", labeled as a "well-known reggae anthem" by BBC and a "classic" by The Observer. Russell-Myers was one of 15 siblings. Her elder brother, Robert, is better known as Brigadier Jerry, and by her mid-teens, she would occasionally perform on the Jahlove Music sound system that he worked with,[4] and worked for three years on the Stereophonic sound system with General Echo. In 1980, producer Winston Riley was the first to take her into the studio, resulting in her first single, "Papa Dean" for his Techniques label.

Formed in the winter of 2023, Algorhythm is an electrifying new group featuring the incomparable talents of Trevor Young, Kyle Wareham, and Kevin Offitzer. Since forming just over a year ago, the band has developed a dedicated following through word of mouth, the members’ reputations, and their infectious live performances. Algorhythm’s music showcases versatility and creativity, blending elements of reggae, rock, electronic, and pop. Algorhythm has already played multiple international shows and released several singles that have charted on both Billboard and iTunes. Their debut album, “Make It Last,” was released on April 19, 2024. The album showcases the depth of the group’s creative vision and passion for songwriting. Algorhythm continues to captivate audiences worldwide with their dynamic performances and innovative sound, promising even more excitement on the horizon.

Formed in 2001 in Rochester, NY, Giant Panda first received praise for their live show, which combined world beats and reggae rhythms with an urgent energy and jamband dynamics. It’s no surprise that Live For Live Music called the band, “...one of the most innovative and genre-pushing reggae bands out there.” The twenty year-old band consists of Dylan Savage (guitar, vocals), James Searl (bass, vocals), Chris O'Brian (drums, vocals), Eli Flynn (guitar, vocals), and Tony Gallicchio (keyboards). Beyond their celebrated live energy, Panda has also released six studio albums,

ranging from their alternative Americana releases Country (2012) and Bright Days (2015) to their Billboard Reggae Chart toppers Steady (2014) and Make It Better (2016), Giant Panda has built an extensive and eclectic catalog that stands the test of time. Their new album Love In Time [Easy Star Records] has an April 7 2023 release date and delivers a fresh new evolution of the band’s trademark

sound that results from their newly collaborative approach.

SunDub is a testament to the power of inclusion, diversity and unity— their music and community rallies around the concept that we are strongest when people of different backgrounds can work together to create positive change. These core values are showcased on SunDub’s first release, “Burden of Love,” which has since amassed millions of streams and whet the appetites of listeners around the world for their next release. In a world that is dominated by watered-down distillation of reggae, SunDub aims to honor the roots of Jamaican music while offering their unique ability to combine soul and funk sophistication into their art. 

Mighty Mystic is considered as one of the leaders in the U.S. Reggae scene and labeled by many as one of the more prolific artists to develop outside of Jamaica. He has gripped the scene with ferocious conviction and an uncanny ambition worthy to be mentioned among the greats. He has gone from being a fan of reggae music to being a contributor to the art. Mighty Mystic came on the scene in 2006 after scoring his first international hit with the song “Riding on the Clouds.” However, it wasn’t until the release of his first album “Wake up the World” (2010) that he became a household name. “Wake up the World” boasted several standouts, such as “Revolution,” “Riding on the Clouds,” “Original Love,” and “Slipped Away” with appearances from reggae icon Shaggy and roots rocker Lutan Fyah. 

Signal Fire has been blazing a trail in the US reggae scene since forming in2013. Hailing from the East Coast, in the coastal town of Wilmington, NC, therock-reggae outfit has been steadily making a name for themselves with aDIY approach and dedication to their craft. Signal Fire has released 4 fulllength albums of modern roots reggae music. Their sophomore album, “LiftUp” (Mixed & Co-produced by Llamar “Riff Raff” Brown) reached #1 on theiTunes Reggae Charts. The bands third album “Wake Up” (produced & mixedin their home studio by the bands frontman, Sean Gregory) reached #8 onthe Billboard reggae charts. Their latest body of work “Rhythm of Life” is acollection of songs recorded during the pandemic has become their bestreceived record to date gaining over 6 million online streams to date. SignalFire’s music is constantly evolving, with a maintained focus on positive andthoughtful lyrical content.

Flying Vipers create heady dubwise reggae on a Tascam 8-track in their basement bunker outside Boston. Live, they are a 7-piece unit with soulful vocals, blazing horns, bubbling keys and heavy drum & bass. Their love of Jamaican and UK 70’s roots and dub is their north star, but eclectic crates of records and a couple decades worth of DIY punk shows bleed through on tape and on stage. Formed in 2015, after a series of critically acclaimed instrumental releases, their 2025 LP, Off World (Easy Star Records), is their first to feature Kellee Webb on vocals, and is receiving international airplay from DJs David Rodigan and Don Letts. 

Kotoko Brass melds the beautifully complex traditional drumming of Central Ghana, the sturdy bass and keyboards of the Caribbean, and the joyous horns of New Orleans to forge a sound the Boston Globe has described as “propulsive, infectious party music.” The band began when brothers Ben, a performer, scholar, and educator of Ghanaian drumming, and Brian Paulding, a longtime trombone player in Boston’s reggae scene, joined forces. Ben fortified the percussion section with Attah Poku and Kwame Ofori, two master percussionists from Ghana. The rhythm section of M’talewa Thomas (bass), Dillon Zahner (guitar), Yusaku Yoshimura (keyboards), and saxophonist Andy Bergman, fill out veteran rhythm and horn sections.

Coming together as Kotoko Brass feels like a superpower. When the traditional Ghanaian percussion and driving drum set grooves meet the steady rhythm section and jubilant horn melodies, we can’t help but dance. Now, after over a year of sharing our sound and energy with audiences across New England, we have seen just how infectious this energy is.

While each member plays an equal and vital role in Kotoko Brass, the drums are at the heart of the band. The tradition of Asante drumming is intimately intertwined with dance in West Africa, and our audiences experience that first-hand. That instinctual link between drumming and dancing exists in nearly all indigenous traditions, and it informs the harmony and melody in all of our music.

At its core, our music is a celebration of tradition, diversity, and unity. While our compositions are influenced by and emerge from the rich culture and heritage of the Asante Kingdom of central Ghana, they are brought to life by a group that spans age, ethnicity, and nationality. The wealth of our varied musical experience serves not only as an endless well of inspiration, but as a vital opportunity to broaden the depths of our communication as humans.

Born in the parish of Westmoreland  Jamaica and raised in the small mountain village of Moreland Hill in the same parish, Clatta Bumboo presently resides in the city of Providence, Rhode Island, USA. Influenced by the commanding reggae sound of the Rastafari elders such as The Wailers, Bob Marley, Burning Spear and Culture; Clatta Bumboo has accepted the responsibility to uphold the roots music of his culture, as he records and release original reggae records from his new home city of Providence.ranging from their alternative Americana releases Country (2012) and Bright Days (2015) to their Billboard Reggae Chart toppers Steady (2014) and Make It Better (2016), Giant Panda has built an extensive and eclectic catalog that stands the test of time. Their new album Love In Time [Easy Star Records] has an April 7 2023 release date and delivers a fresh new evolution of the band’s trademark

sound that results from their newly collaborative approach.

Personal Blend is a 7-piece reggae-rock band with pop driven melodies and ear catching hooks. PB's first full length album, "Skin Deep", was released in 2016, and their 2nd release, the "Ride" EP, was released in 2017. Now coming off their 2019 release and new full length album, "Heavy Currents", Personal Blend is breaking boundaries and performing regionally, bringing the party to the masses! Coming to a city near you.

IRIEspect is a six-piece band from Long Island, NY, known for their energetic live shows and a versatile sound that blends reggae, dub, and jam elements with influences from roots, rock, Latin, hip-hop, and dancehall. Their recent debut album, "IRIEspect," on Dubshot Records, is available on all major platforms. They are known for their popular songs like "Strong Island," "La Cocina," and "Blasting," and have played alongside notable reggae acts like Steel Pulse, Collie Buddz, and The Wailers. 

Lavender Fields is an international reggae artist, producer, and multi-instrumentalist with a unique ability to captivate audiences and create unforgettable live experiences. Combining roots reggae, dub, and soulful melodies, her music delivers uplifting messages of love, hope, and unity.

A classically trained pianist turned dynamic performer and songwriter, Lavender produces her own tracks, showcasing her mastery of guitar, keyboards, and percussion. Her vibrant stage presence and polished sound have earned her a reputation as a must-see act, connecting deeply with diverse audiences worldwide. Born in Russia, raised in the USA, and now residing in Jamaica she draws from a rich cultural background to create music that resonates across borders.

Lavender Fields has shared stage with artists like Chronixx, Sister Nancy, Sizzla, Kush McAnuff, Mike Love, Culture and many others. The artist performs with her roots reggae band often incorporating traditional Nyabinghi drums.

Guided by her motto, "Light Up The World," Lavender Fields is ready to bring her positive energy to stages around the globe. 

Marissa Lelogeais is not a person defined by her disabilities. 

If you ask her she will say: her "life is music, and music is her life.” While studying at Berklee College of Music, she was so moved by the music and story of Bob Marley and the people of Jamaica that she decided to write and record roots reggae music. Since then, Mar has even had the opportunity to travel to Jamaica and immerse herself in their music and culture.

Now an adult with a blossoming career, Mar is the band leader and lead vocalist of the empowering movement: The Merry Rockers. Through song and story, she shares her views on inclusion from the perspective of a functionally alter-abled person and consistently wows audiences in all settings - be it on stage as full band show production, in front of a conference as a keynote or inclusive break out session education forums.

For anyone with challenges she has the following advice - “To never give up on their dreams. You may think that your dream is unattainable. Believe me, I did. But when you're determined enough and have people that support you, anything is possible. You might not be able to do it to the same extent as someone who doesn't have any disabilities at all, but you can still do it.”

From an early age, Green Lion Crew’s Zeke Stern and Dana Knowles became students of the sounds of Caribbean Culture. After almost fifteen years of producing in Jamaica, St. Croix, and the United States their collaboration list reads like a “who’s who” of reggae music. From pro- ducing for modern artists like Collie Buddz, Chronixx, Kabaka Pyramid, The Movement, and Jesse Royal to working with legendary acts like Beenie Man, Capleton, Sizzla, Busy Signal, Akae Beka, and Lee “Scratch” Perry, Green Lion Crew continues to push the boundaries of son- ics and style while madly celebrating the culture of Jamaica.