“Roberto Chitsondzo” is a teacher, musician, composer and performer. Full name Roberto Maximiano Chitsonzo was born on 9 August 1961, in João Belo (current Xai -Xai), Gaza Province. In the intimate family, on feast days, had the privilege to listen to Gramophone and the sound of an accordion played by his grandfather, Madrumane. Also had the privilege to hear Mr. Andre who played a guitar made of olive oil tin and fishing strings. His family identity, the songs heard on the radio, his participation in the choir of the Catholic Church and the figure of Zeburane (Eusébio João Tamele), who used to cross the street near his home with his guitar on his way to his work, made even in adolescence, the musical roots of Roberto Chitsonzo. Still in his homeland, in his youthfulness, he was part of some bands like The Good Show, Stop e Tchaka and had the privilege to play in some nightclubs. As a pilgrim seeking a place of self-realization, arrives in Maputo, after passing through different provinces of Mozambique. In Maputo, in 1977 as a chorister, under the invitation of Alexandre Mazuze, he participated in various shows in huge music houses Years later, he recorded his first compositions. 
  In 1980, his music was selected to open radio programs that intended to bring awareness about the population census.  This allowed him to record a song at Rádio Moçambique accompanied by a band. In 1984, accompanied by Pedro Langa and his group he recorded the song "Xizambiza" (Jornal Notícias Attendance Award). It is through the hand of Pedro Langa joined Ghorwane band. And it is by his hand-filled, musically, that it’s because of His musical skills that Ghorwane enters the Rádio Moçambique studios to record their first songs. With Ghorwane he gets musical maturity and reaches its apogee with the recording of Majurugenta (1993), Kudumba (1997) and Vana Va Ndota (2005) albums. With its musicality Ghorwane becomes an azimuth of Mozambican Music in the World Music scene. An interim look, with Ghorwane in 1994, he records Não É Preciso Empurrar which aimed to appeal to the Mozambican citizens to exercise their citizenship rights: "the right to elect and be elected. With the album "Mozambique Relief in 2000, Ghorwane calls for solidarity that should exist in the Mozambican people in times of natural and human uproars that disrupt the growth of Mozambique. Without parting ways with Ghorwane, he starts a career in his own name as a way to investigate and experiment other musical aesthetic, he makes harmonic combinations where the Religious Music merges with Traditional and Pop Music.

As example of this practice he performed in shows with some members of Majescoral (Maputo Jazz & Spiritual Choir) and the choir of the Wesleyan Church. From the book Urgias dos Loucos by Ungulani Ba Ka Khosa, he wrote the music 'Wachukuvala', a soundtrack for the film A Solidão do Senhor Matias, by the director of the José Passo. Among several films, stands out A Herança da Viúva, from the filmmaker Sol de Carvalho. During that individual Search he shares the stage in Maputo, with Maria João & Mário Laginha. He also participates in the Zeca Afonso Festival at the University City of Coimbra. He assumes to be musically inspired by Ray Lema, who already had the opportunity to open one of his concerts in Lisbon. Currently, with a career of over thirty years, he believes to be stepping up to a new musicality. Having over his career, participated in various festivals on five continents and have shared a huge musical experience, he establishes himself in a sound more rooted in the glow of Mozambican identity aesthetics. The song Vana Va Ndota, summarizes his entire musical message, because it is the model of story you want for the growth of humanity and Mozambican identity.  
It is in this perspective that he is today in the studio recording, his first solo album of originals which is in its production and anthology stage and will be edited this year (2014). This will confirm his artistic conviction characterized by confirming musical legacy that is specific to an individual who believes in music to educate the man. 

At the moment, Roberto Chitsonzo is preparing his first solo album entitled “kwiri la mamani” literally “a mother’s womb”. This represents the identity of Mozambican music by elucidating the traditional rhythms. 


Janine "Jah9" Cunningham

Old school blues improvisation meets hard hitting lyrical prowess in a rich imaginative blend of vocal clarity and complexity. Janine brings her refreshing mix of contemporary and conscious poetry to the stage and delivers a mature, sophisticated style with a unique and captivating energy all of her own. Her musical influences range from Billie Holiday and Nina Simone to Augustus Pablo and Sizzla Kalonji. 

As a singer/songwriter/activist, Janine touches on issues ranging from social injustice, violence, politics and gender to intimate matters of the heart, mind and spirit. Janine a.k.a. ‘Jah9’ has emerged from the underground poetry/live music scene relatively unknown and has earned the hearts and respect of her peers and audiences with each encounter since. 

Over the past 5 years she has been consistently and impressively making her mark on the Jamaican musical landscape, inspiring audiences and musicians alike through her songs and the live productions she has conceptualized and staged. She is now poised for heavy rotation due to her signature sound and collaborations with ace producers including Donovan Bennett of Corleon Records, Sheldon Bernard and Beres Hammond of Harmony House Music, and on her highly anticipated debut album project with Rory "Stonelove" Gilligan. The album is slated for release on February 26, 2013 but Jah9 is already in demand as a songwriter and creative director of repute. 

'Jazz on Dub’ is the sound she has created - a mix of her two favourite music forms, while infusing all expressions of the arts into her live performances. She intends to take her word sounds to the world, entertaining and inspiring all along the way. This young woman is full to the brim and pouring her heart out.


Independent Production Company / Record Label

New York City's Easy Star Records has produced three of the best-selling and trendsetting reggae albums around - the Easy Star All-Stars' Dub Side of the Moon, Radiodread and Easy Star's Lonely Hearts Dub Band - while building an international brand and roster that has come to signify quality and class.

The independent label has created an impressive body of work that includes those above-mentioned in-house productions, along with progressive recordings from envelope-pushing acts like Protoje, Jesse Royal, John Brown's Body, The Skints, The Black Seeds, Rebelution, Passafire, Backbeat Soundsystem, Gentleman's Dub Club, Cas Haley, New Kingston, The Expanders, Lila Ike, The Late Ones, Marcus Gad, Tommy T, JonQuan and Ticklah; reissues of classic reggae from the vaults of Sugar Minott and Linval Thompson; new music from reggae legends The Meditations and Sister Carol; and collaborations with international reggae stars like Matisyahu,  Michael Rose, U Roy, Luciano, Anthony B, Christofer Martin and Morgan Heritage.

Easy Star has steadily built a scene that extends in many directions, following any path where reggae leads, bringing together young producers and musicians, reggae stars, and even artists outside the genre who have been influenced by Jamaican music, like Citizen Cope, blues musician/musicologist Corey Harris, Janelle Monáe, Jason Mraz and Kelly Clarkson.

The label manages its in-house musical collective/touring band The Easy Star All-Stars, who have played in over 30 countries on 6 continents. Dub Side of the Moon, Radiodread, Lonely Hearts and Thrillah have formed the backbone of a growing franchise of reggae re-inventions of classic albums; the band is at work on the next installment, targeted for 2022.

Easy Star has also developed a strong sense of how to market reggae to both core genre fans and a mass audience, leading to work consulting on marketing for albums such as Gov't Mule's Mighty High. Easy Star's musical director Michael Goldwasser produced albums for Corey Harris and Israeli band Hatikva 6, as well as remixes by Umphrey's McGee, Rebelution, Jason Mraz, Yoko Ono and more, bringing the Easy Star sound further outside the family. And Easy Star has raised its profile as a lifestyle brand with events such as Easy Star Reggae Tuesdays, which was one of the longest-running weekly reggae parties in New York.

Ms. Lauryn Hill’s prolific rhymes catapulted her into the public eye as a member of the Fugees & as a solo artist with her debut The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill

Griotlife Agency (Booking)
P.O. Box 9340 St. Thomas, VI 00801
+1.202.321.2263

This is Rockas To The Bones-  Moving to their own drums and riddims, this Virgin Islands roots group has released multiple award winning albums and performs and produces music clearly designed to impact issues in communities around the world. It is here where it is understood, "vibes is ev'ryting..."

I Grade Records is a roots reggae music label based in St. Croix whose mission it is to spread musical ises and healing.

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