| Groundation | |
|---|---|
Groundation performing at the 2006 Jamaican Reggae Festival in Kandel, Germany |
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| Background information | |
| Origin | California, United States |
| Genres | Reggae |
| Years active | 1998–present |
| Labels | Young Tree |
| Associated acts | Don Carlos Israel Vibration |
| Website | www.groundation.com |
| Members | |
| Harrison Stafford Marcus Urani Ryan Newman David "Diesel" Chachere Kelsey Howard Te Kanawa Haereiti Mingo Lewis Junior Kim Pommell Stephanie Wallace |
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| Past members | |
| Paul "Papa" Spina Jason Robinson James Stafford Shawna Anderson Adaria Armstrong Jeannine Guillory Ekua Impraim Kerry-Ann Morgan Ikesha Johnson Benjamin Krames |
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Groundation is an American roots reggae band with jazz and dub influences from Sonoma County in Northern California.
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Formed in the fall of 1998 by Harrison Stafford, Marcus Urani, and Ryan Newman, Groundation began on the campus of Sonoma State University's Jazz Program. (Between 1999 and 2001, Harrison Stafford taught the first course on the History of Reggae Music at Sonoma State University.) In 1999, Stafford teamed up with Kris Dilbeck to found Young Tree Records and release Groundation's debut album of the same name. "Groundation" comes from the Rasta term "Grounation". Grounation Day (April 21) is an important Rastafarian holy day, and second after Coronation Day (November 2). It is celebrated in honor of Haile Selassie's 1966 visit to Jamaica.
In 2000 they added to the line up David Chachere, a San Francisco based jazz trumpeter, and Kelsey Howard, a North Bay trombone player. Saxophonist Jason Robinson was a member of the band for a time, and has since gone on to become the head of the jazz program at UC San Diego. Drummer Paul Spina (Les Claypool, Will Bernard's Mother Bug) has been with the group since taking over for James Stafford in December 2001; he left the group in summer 2008. Kim Pommell and Kerry Ann Morgan (both graduates of Kingston's Ashe performing arts school) joined in 2006, and are featured lead vocalists on Groundation's 2009 release Here I Am.
The 9-piece band creates an altogether new reggae sound, featuring swirling, jazz/funk inspired horns, stout Latin and African based poly-rhythmics, and soulful harmony vocals. Their concerts utilize live improvisation, in classic jazz fashion, and are renowned for their high energy, communion-type atmosphere. Having gained international notoriety for their progressive fusion style, Groundation regularly plays at major international festivals like Summerjam.
The three founding members of Groundation (Harrison Stafford, Marcus Urani and Ryan Newman) joined with the Jamaican drummer Leroy "Horsemouth" Wallace and Will Bernard in June 2008 to form Rockamovya. The name comes from Wallace's Jamaican patois style and is meant to show the unity and power of the music.