SLO Brew Live + (((folkYEAH!))) present ~ Groundation

More than two decades into a storied career, GROUNDATION has helped define American roots reggae, while building a large and loyal following in Europe, South America, Australia/New Zealand, and the US where they have been a consistent major headliner and festival attraction for the last 18 years.GROUNDATION formed in 1998 when Stafford started a roots reggae/jazz fusion group with fellow students at the Jazz Performance program at Sonoma State University. Staffords interest and knowledge of the reggae genre led to him developing and offering a course he taught at Sonoma State called The History of Reggae Music. Reggae legends like Joseph Hill of Culture and historical icons like Abba Melchezadek (Haile Selassies private secretary) amongst others came and shared their personal experiences with the classes.GROUNDATIONs first two albums, Young Tree and Each One Teach One, established their unique roots sound, while also commencing collaborations with foundational reggae artists. Each One Teach One features the vocalist Marcia Higgs and the Nyabinghi drumming master Ras Michael. In 1999, while in Jamaica, Harrison met the legendary studio engineer Jim Fox, who did extensive production and recording for RAS Records, including their most iconic releases. This was the beginning of a longstanding relationship between GROUNDATION and Lion and Fox recording studios. Subsequently Fox re-mastered Young Tree and Each One Teach One and he recorded and mixed Hebron Gate (2003) the album that solidified their unique and jazzy approach to their music.