Unity Stage Daily Schedule

Unity Stage Performers

Friday, July 3rd

Josey Wales Reggae Legend Indika Reggae Band Jamiah on Fire & the Red Machine Diane Ellis & the Jazzy Ladies The Flex Crew(Ohio) Reggae Band Baby J(Eritrea) Reggae O sezua & the Predator Reggae Band R ob Funk-Spoken Word The Holy Band-Hip Hop Tim Branch Jazz Band Phenom aka The’Ray Hale-Spoken Word Honezty-Soca/Punta Duke Tomatoe -B lues C arolina Davis Musical Interlude

Saturday, July 4th

Tessanne Chin-Winner of NBC’s “The Voice” Special Presentation Gizzae Reggae Band Chicago Samba-Brazilian Carnival of Nations Presentation Queen Bumbi Ajibade & Her Voice Blender Aleph Beatz-Afrobeat/House Kilpatrick Band-Funk/Reggae/Rock Versatile Bliss-Afrobeat/Reggae Don Pedigo Lil Kaotik Tukkiman-Senegal Medtality Roots featuring Zion-World Music Musical Interlude

Sunday, July 5th

Mad Cobra-Reggae Dancehall Chante Moore R&B Diva Al Hudson & One Way-R&B Legends Lova Boy-Soca/Punta Sonnes de Mexico Ensemble Phenom aka The’Ray Hale-Spoken Word/Hip Hop Kelly Ranks aka Rasta Kelly Rob Funk Ifficial Reggae Movement Jeronimo Speaks Presents Solace Souls Ent. Abraham Mellish-Liberia Gospel Musical Interlude 8:45 pm 8:30 pm 7:30 pm 6:30 pm 5:40 pm 5:15 pm 4:45 p m 4:15 pm 3:50 p m 3:30 p m 3:00 p m 2:45 pm 2:00 p m 1:30 pm 12:00pm

8:45 pm 8:30 pm 7:30 pm 6:30 pm 6:00 pm 5:30 pm 5:00 pm 4:15 pm 3:45 pm 3:15 pm 2:45 pm 2:15 pm 1:15 pm 12:00 pm

8:45 pm 7:45 pm 6:30 pm 5:15 pm 4:30 pm 4:15 pm 3:45 pm 3:15 pm 2:30 pm 2:00 pm 1:30 pm 12:00 pm

July 3 rd Josey Wales

Josey Wales is regarded as a cornerstone “deejay” of Reggae Dancehall music. While Wales entertained the masses with hits like “Leggo Mi Hand,” “Kingston Hot,” “Undercover Lover,” “Outlaw” and more, the iconic artist is highly respected by old and new members of the Reggae music fraternity. Bursting onto the scene in the early 80’s, Wales is known as “The Outlaw” and/or “The Colonel.” Rising to fame on the King Stur Gav sound system (owned and operated by Reggae pioneer U-Roy “The Teacher”) as a live performer, Wales put fear in competitor’s hearts with his crafty delivery and take on chanting. As a solo act and along with sparring partners Charlie Chap

lin “The Principal” and Brigadier Jerry “The General,” Josey Wales “The Outlaw” always rocked audiences with amazingly entertaining sets, predominantly grounded on cultural, social and political themes. Fast forward to 2015 and there is no slowing down the legend, who has been thrilling audiences for more than 40 years. Most importantly, with restored U.S. travel privileges for the first time in more than a decade, the world is the popular artist’s oyster. In fact, Wales “Return of the Outlaw” tour is in full swing he recently joined Konshens on the set of his “Don Dada” video (a song by Shane Brown that pays homage to Super Cat). Wales’ appearance in “Don Dada” is just a snippet of what lies in store. Up next is a new song produced by Shaggy, additional tour dates, high profile appearances and new music.

Chicago-born Duke Tumatoe is a musician/showman who has fused gritty R&B, rock, blues, and funk injected with equal parts humor and gut-level sincerity. Tumatoe was a founding member of what would become REO Speedwagon. Leaving in 1969, he formed Duke Tumatoe & the All-Star Frogs. For the next 13 years, they toured relentlessly playing throughout the Midwest and released two albums: Red Pepper Hot! (1976) and Back to Chicago (1982). In 1983, Tumatoe decided to break up the Frogs. He rebounded with the creation of the Power Trio, who recorded Duke’s Up for Blind Pig Records. Tumatoe formed his own record label, Sweetfinger Music and released Dr. Duke (1992), Wild Animals (1994), Greatest Hits Plus (1996), and the all-instrumental Picks & Sticks (1997). Throughout his illustrious career, Tumatoe opened for Muddy Waters, Buddy Guy, B.B. King, George Thorogood, Fabulous Thunderbirds, and John Fogerty. He was so taken with Tumatoe’s performance, Fogerty produced his 1988 live album I like My Job. Since then Tumatoe released A Ejukatid Man(1999), Pompous & Overrated(2001) and the raunchy seasonal disc It’s

Christmas (Let’s Have Sex), You’ve

Got the Problem(2006) and Duke released his album, I Just Want to Be Rich in 2010.

Duke

Tomatoe

July 3rd is slated as “Reggae Meets Blues and Jazz Day”. Sponsored by Kingston Mines, July 3rd is dedicated to late Blues legends: Muddy Waters, Willie Dixon and BB King.

Diane Ellis and The Jazzy Ladies Diane “Lil Sax” Ellis is a master musician and solo recording artist on the alto saxophone. She formed the Jazzy Ladies instrumental group in 1989. The group consists of various professional female musicians on keyboards, bass, drums and Diane on alto saxophone. Occasionally a vocalist and other female instrumentalists are added to the group. Sometimes the group is billed as Diane Ellis and the Jazzy Ladies and Gent, whenever a female member of the group is unavailable. In addition to leading her own group, Diane currently performs with the Tony Smith Show, The Morris Ellis Jazz Orchestra, and freelances with small combos around the Chicagoland area. She teaches music appreciation and band at the Arthur Dixon Elementary School in Chicago.

Indika This is what Indika Reggae Band brings to their fans in every show. The band gives their audience a full spectrum of Reggae flavor in the style of Jamaica’s Reggae Sunsplash Festival. Indika Reggae Band has won several music awards in the Windy City. In addition to their own high energy shows, they have also been honored to back international Reggae artists Jamiah “On Fire” & The Red Machine is a three piece power group comprised of Jamiah on guitar such as Dennis Brown, Frankie and vocals; Jalon on drums and vocals; and Paul, Sugar Minott and U Roy. Between them they have over 125+ years of experience playing Reggae, Calypso and Soca music Kenyonte on bass and vocals. The Red Machine has been together since 2008. Members of the band have played the Chicago Blues Fest, Taste of Chicago and Buddy Guy’s Legends. Jamiah and numerous music awards. and the Red Machine continue to sharpen their They perform old Reggae favorites with new life, and add to the Reggae world with new original songs. Indika has made music skills, learn new material and expand their repertoire. The Red Machine enjoys playing blues, blues rock, and R&B. Jamiah, who leads the band, started performing at the tender age of three. The numerous TV appearances and musical prodigy recorded his first CD at age six. been invited to performer at the legendary Apollo Theater in New York City. He has studied numerous instruments, including electric guitar, violin, saxophone, clarinet, piano, djembe, congas, and drums.

The Flex Crew

Originating in Columbus, Ohio, the seven members of The Flex Crew hail from a variety of musical backgrounds, resulting in a versatile and high energy band. Their array of musical styles include a mix of Funk, Rhythm and Blues, Soul, Hip Hop and Reggae’s Lover’s Rock, Roots and Dancehall styles. These accomplished singers, musicians, producers and songwriters have shared the stage with Reggae superstars such as: Buju Banton, Maxi Priest, Michael Rose, Luciano, Steel Pulse, Third World, Bounty Killa, Wayne Wonder, Sugar Minot, Burning Spear, The Meditations, Brigadier Jerry, Sister Nancy, Coca Tea, Pato Banton, The Meditations, Justin Hinds, and Tonto Metro & Devonte. Over the last two decades, The Flex Crew have amassed an extensive bibliography of original music, some of which is featured on their latest C.D. “Forward.” Jamiah “On Fire” & the Red Machine Jamiah “On Fire” & The Red Machine is a three piece power group comprised of Jamiah on guitar and vocals; Jalon on drums and vocals; and Kenyonte on bass and vocals. The Red Machine has been together since 2008. Members of the band have played the Chicago Blues Fest, Taste of Chicago and Buddy Guy’s Legends. Jamiah and the Red Machine continue to sharpen their music skills, learn new material and expand their repertoire. The Red Machine enjoys playing blues, blues rock, and R&B. Jamiah, who leads the band, started performing at the tender age of three. The musical prodigy recorded his first CD at age six. He has studied numerous instruments, including electric guitar, violin, saxophone, clarinet, piano, djembe, congas, and drums.

Jamiah “On Fire” & the Red Machine

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July 4th Tessanne Chin

While she was introduced to most of the world as a contestant on season five of “The Voice”, singer Tessanne Chin already had a successful career back home in Jamaica, charting with the reggae hit “Hideaway” and touring the globe with the legendary Jimmy Cliff. Born in Kingston, Jamaica, her father was in one of the island’s few jazz fusion bands, E=MC2. He his own recording studio and later built a home studio strictly for family, including Tessanne’s older sister Tami, who released her debut album, Out of Many… One in 2006. Tessanne launched her career leading the rockreggae group Mile High and then joining Jimmy Cliff ’s band for a worldwide tour. In 2007, her hit Jamaican single “Hideaway” kicked off her solo career in earnest, but she was more known for her collaborations in the following years, releasing the single “Never Let Go” with superstar Shaggy, while mixing

genres with the soca group Kes on their hit single “Loving You.” After releasing the indie album In “Between Words” in 2010, old friend Shaggy encouraged her to compete on the U.S. televised singing competition “The Voice”. She made the cut after auditioning with her version of Pink’s “Try,” and as the season progressed, she joined Adam Levine’s team, topped the digital charts with her versions of Simon & Garfunkel’s “Bridge Over Troubled Water” and Whitney Houston’s “I Have Nothing,” and finally won the competition with contestant Jacquie Lee as runnerup. Late in the year she released the competition’s winning song, “Tumbling Down,” written by Ryan Tedder of OneRepublic. Her first album, “Count on My Love” was released in 2014 and her new single “Fire” debuted, May 5, 2015 on iTunes.

The Professional Theatre and Dance Youth Academy(PTDYA) is Michael Jones’ brainchild. The Chicago native spent many years performing nationally and internationally to wide acclaim. But, he never lost sight of his real dream: to build a performing arts education program for the young people of Chicago. Michael built his skills in teaching, outreach, choreography and production- but the outlook for youth growing up in many urban neighborhoods in Chicago worsened and the need for that positive spirit grew. While working in Woodlawn, Michael began collaborating with dancer-educator Ahava Silkey. Michael and Ahava joined forces with Cathy Yen, a business woman and parent from Oak Park. Yen felt so strongly about the impact PTDYA could have in Chicago, that she volunteered her time to help Michael and Ahava create a business model and strategic plan that eventually became PTDYA.

After receiving his BA in Musical Theatre, Michael found his way to the Young Americans, which helped him polish his unique combination of faith, talent and positive spirit. He was Artistic Director and Instructor of Musical Theatre and Dance at the University of Chicago Charter School Woodlawn Campus; Co-Director and Choreographer for Ovation Academy, the BRAVO Performing Arts Academy in Oak Park and currently sits on the Board of St. Paul Lutheran School. Michael was nominated for an Outstanding High School Instructor award through the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and received an award for choreography at Atlanta’s Junior Theatre Festival. He also directs the after school music and dance program at Marshall High School in Chicago.

Today, communities are coming together to plan “promise zones,” build community centers, charter schools and collaborate with service providers. Michael Jones is very much a part of that conversation. His recent experience building a music and dance program in Woodlawn, working through the Chicago Public School System and education models in Oak Park have readied him to realize his vision.

C hicago s amba

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July 4th Performers

July 4th is slated as a celebration of the 70th birthday of Reggae legends, Bob Marley and Peter Tosh. Gizzae From the beautiful Caribbean island of Dominica, the ancient and holy lands of Ethiopia, and the birthplace of humanity, Ghana, Africa, comes the award winning Reggae music of Gizzae. Playing for crowds for over 30 years, Gizzae has opened for some of the biggest names in Reggae and is one of the best and most popular bands in the region. Members include: Ruphael Woldemariam, Brian Rock, Franky Winfield, Destiny TK Pivonka, Isaiah Rock, Daniel Atta Yeboah and Martindale Olive. Gizzae’s brand of Reggae is always backed with strong guitar solos, warm pads and ambient keyboard vibes.”

Aleph Beatz Members of Aleph Beatz are musically-Inclined and have been involved in various music-related projects since childhood - namely in Senegal, Mali, and Ghana, West Africa, and Cameroon, Central Africa. Formed in 2013, the group is currently based in Chicago. Aleph Beatz released several singles last year including: “Change”, “We Will Not Be Moved” and “BendSkin = Dance”. Their current hit “RISE” is a blend of Afrobeats and House Music to make a continuation of the N.G Benskin (New Generation Benskin), a dance created by the group based of a traditional dance from Cameroon, in Central Africa .

Lil Kaotik Lil Kaotik, is a multi-talented rapper, hip hop artist, and actor from Chitown. Kaotik developed a passion for music at an early age. Now, at age 16, Lil Kaotik has done many live performances across the nation and has a growing performance schedule. What makes Lil Kaotik unique is his humbleness, and dedication to his fans. His music is clean, positive and he maintains good grades while balancing his music career. Lil Kaotik has worked with radio personality Demi Lobo from Chicago’s 107.5 WGCI radio station. He performed at her national talent competition “Most Talented under 12.” Lobo is also featured in Lil Kaotik’s “Strapback Boy” music video. He has also toured with recording artists Jacquees and Issa for the “Applaud the Kings Tour” and opened for Jacob Latimore and Diggy Simmons.

Don Pedigo Born in Freetown, Indiana, Don Pedigo’s passion led him to the heart of Nashville’s Music City. There he caught the ear of legendary songwriter Earl Bud Lee (“Friends in Low Places”/Garth Brooks, “Who Are You When I’m Not Looking”/Blake Shelton) who nurtured Pedigo’s inherent song-crafting ability. In 2006, Pedigo recorded his first full-production record WHAT I WAS RUNNING FROM (featuring Buddy Miller on guitar) and released the single “Mama’s Wedding Gown” (produced by Larry Crane) the following year. The complementary music video qualified the tune as a finalist on the CMT Music City Madness Singer/Songwriter’s Competition Top 20 Video Countdown dubbing Pedigo as “the hard-rocking heartthrob from the heartland.” Encompassing the influences of pure country, rock n’ roll and the storytelling songwriting community, traces of John Mellencamp, Rodney Crowell, John Prine and contemporaries such as Pete Yorn are detected in the roots of Pedigo’s offerings. Pedigo is currently touring the country in support of his latest release THE CROSS EYED SESSIONS project.

July 5th

Chante

Moore

Al Hudson & One Way

Al Hudson & One Way R&B and funk band, One Way enjoyed popularity in the late 1970s and throughout most of the 1980s. Led by singer Al Hudson, the group’s most successful record was “Cutie Pie”. One Way was formed in 1978 in Detroit, Michigan as the newer incarnation of a band originally known as Soul Partners. Al Hudson, Alicia Myers, guitarists Dave Roberson

and Cortez Harris, bassist Kevin McCord, drummer Gregory Green and keyboardist Jonathan Meadows were the original members. They first recorded as “Al Hudson and the Soul Partners”, scoring an R&B hit on the ABC label called “You Can Do It” in 1979. When ABC Records was bought by MCA Records, the band moved to MCA and changed their name to One Way featuring Al Hudson before becoming One Way. Original front woman Alicia Myers left the band in the early 1980s to pursue a solo career. She was replaced by Candyce Edwards, who made her debut on the Fancy Dancer album and remained with the group. They had several hits on the UK Charts with “Music” (1979) and “Let’s Talk About Shhh” (1985). They later moved to Capitol Records in 1988, where they released their final album, A New Beginning. Singer and songwriter Chanté Moore’s voice, stunning beauty and unerring artistic vision have allowed the Gold-selling R&B singer to enjoy an illustrious twodecade career. Chanté’s effortless combination of R&B soaked in gospel roots, soul accents kissed with a touch of jazz, and grace with fire, coalesce on her Shanachie Entertainment debut, Moore Is More. Moore made her recording debut in 1992 with the Gold-selling Precious (“Love’s Taken Over” and “It’s Alright”). A Love Supreme (“Old School Lovin’”) came in 1994, followed by her Grammy nominated This Moment Is Mine (Gold-selling single “Chanté’s Got a Man”). In 2002 Moore had the distinction of winning a Soul Train Music Award for Best R&B/Soul Single for the song “Contagious,” featuring The Isley Brothers and R. Kelly. She released the duet albums Things That Lovers Do and Covered/Uncovered (2006), both with ex-husband, singer Kenny Lattimore. The awardwinning singer’s distinctive vocals have been featured in films like Waiting to Exhale, Beverly Hills Cop III, How Stella Got Her Groove Back, Romeo Must Die and Big Momma’s House. Moore is currently starring in the TV One reality show spin-off, R&B Diva’ L.A., which premiered on 2013, breaking records for its high viewership. The Season 2 premiere aired in 2014. For devout Chanté Moore fans, her album and book titled, “Will I Marry Me?” finally makes their debut. For Moore, this album “is filled with intimate details and subject matters I cannot ‘talk’ about... but I HAVE TO sing about. The book is all about the experiences of my life--Understanding MORE about who I am and MORE about what I want. I AM victorious! I choose to LIVE! And MAN am I 02 27 GONNA LIVE!!! Love Is On The Way.” 02 27

Funklord music inc was launched in 2006

by Robert L Courtney Jr. , producer of an

unique ear for music. Over the years Funklord music Inc has released hits after hits and most of the previous and current releases can be found on most digital outlets such as itunes,cdbaby.com,tu necore.com and etc.