Rasta Country Team
Do you work with an awesome team? Of course you want to introduce them to your visitors.
Drummie 'Z'
DRUMS
We were about to stop so they could get on with their sound check, but Family Man shouted, "Keep going, man." So now it's a total live improvisational set with stellar results. Those guys never forgot us, and in time we would come together again." - Drummie Zeb, Style Weekly - Drummie Zeb has been passionate about music his whole life, and has been playing the drums since his childhood. The event that really set things up for Zeb with Bob Marley and The Wailers came when he was playing with The Awareness Art Ensemble, the two groups were on the same bill numerous times. He sat in on their sound checks, playing alongside Aston "Family Man" Barrett, the original Bassist of the Wailers who produced, arranged, and wrote much of the band's legendary catalog. Drummie Zeb, maintaining his relationship with Family Man, twelve years ago was approached by an Awareness Art Ensemble manager who had also worked with the Wailers, and had heard that the Wailers needed a Drummer. Shortly after, Drummie Zeb found himself playing in the most internationally known Reggae band, enhancing his creativity as a drummer. After the summer tour with Kenny Chesney, Drummie went on touring with Wailers & recording and writing for his personal project, Rasta Country. Rasta Country seeks to bring two styles of music together that aren’t generally associated with each other, and give a sense of going from the farm to the beach. Learn more on Drummie Zeb's incredible story in this Style Weekly article!
Saxsmo Gates
SAXAPHONE
James “Saxsmo” Gates is one of Richmond’s premier musicians. As a saxophonist, Saxsmo has a flaming passion that is evident in every note played. Undeniable passion along with his bell-like tone quality ignites a fire that is sure to light the hearts and souls of all true jazz enthusiasts. Saxsmo is a Richmond native and graduated from John F. Kennedy High School in 1978. He attended Virginia State University and later transferred under a full scholarship to the prestigious Berklee College of Music. He received his Bachelor of Music degree from Berklee in 1984. Also with a full scholarship he received his Master’s in Jazz Studies at North Carolina Central University 2011. Saxsmo is the Founder/ Director/Coordinator of the Dr. Billy Taylor Jazz Studies Program at Virginia State University. Saxsmo was also Nominated for the Richmond Public Schools Education Foundation Living Legacies 2015 Award. James "Saxsmo" Gates is also a former Board Member of the Richmond Jazz Society, former Board member of the Appomattox Regional Governor’s School, present Board member of Richmond Cultural Works, present Board Member of The HBCU Jazz Education Initiative. Gates has played and traveled extensively in the United States and abroad in performing with such notable artists as Joe Kennedy, Jr., Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers, Dizzy Gillespie, Clark Terry, Walter Davis, Jr., Walter Bishop, Jr., The Temptations, Dianne Reeves, Jimmy Cobb, Hod O’Brien, Larry Willis, Roberta Flack, Marvin Gaye, Larry Carlton, Jeff Lorber, Alex Bugnon, Terrance Blanchard, Delfeayo Marsalis, Billy Kilson, Patrice Rushen, Steve Wilson, Lonnie Listen Smith, Steve Turre and The Main Ingredients. He is Grammy Nominated and has many chart-topping records. Saxsmo credits the forefathers and Masters of Jazz for his musical foundation and passes it along every chance he gets by serving as a teacher and instructor of jazz. .
Jahson
GUITAR
Jason “Jahson” Sitnick is a guitarist singer/songwriter from Asheville, NC. He has been creating and performing music for 36 years spanning genres from country to ballads, reggae to rock to blues. Reggae music became his passion in 1989 when he met Edward “Iword” Sprinkle and formed The Maharaja Reggae Allstars. In 1991, he met and joined Psyche Wanzandae and the Truth And Rights One Love Reggae Band. In 1992, he helped form One Tribe Reggae Band which recorded and toured extensively through the 90s. He has recorded and performed solo acoustic shows since then. He joined Rasta Country Reggae Band in 2017. His music is inspired by the heart and soul of humanity touching on themes about justice, peace, pain, love, heartbreak and the state of the earth. His music for the soul is healing and uniting.
Buffalo
GUITAR
Having forged the path as an indie musician in the Miami music scene and working with such talents as Supa Dups, Descemer Bueno and Elastic Bond, Buffalo Brown now lives in the higher climes of Asheville , North Carolina where he has been contributing his soulful guitar playing to the thriving music community there as well.
Eli Krash
keyboard
"I am a keyboardist from Richmond, VA, I began playing the piano at age 15. After a brief period of private study, I went on to pursue a degree in music at the University of Virginia, focusing on theory and composition. During my studies I led and performed regularly with my band, Dangerously Diagonal, performing in the central Virginia area. Since graduating I have settled back in Richmond and continued my studies privately. I have taken up writing and am enjoying performing with Rasta Country."
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