Carlos Jones has been sharing his musical inspiration with Cleveland and the surrounding area for over 40 years, earning him the unofficial designation of  “The Iron-man of Cleveland Reggae”. Born in Virginia, his earliest musical influence was the gospel music he heard in the church where his grandfather preached. In the mid-60s his family moved to Frankfurt, Germany, where he became fascinated by the Beatles and other popular music of the time. A few years later, after moving back to the states, his main musical interests were Soul, Jazz, Blues and Rock music, until he discovered Reggae in the mid 70s, which led him to seeing Bob Marley perform and then joining one of Cleveland's first local Reggae bands. He started out in 1978 as a side-man (percussion/vocals) with I-tal, one of Cleveland’s first homegrown Reggae groups, and then in 1984, split off from I-tal along with several other members to form the group, First Light.

Carlos developed as the front man/lead vocalist for First Light and honed his songwriting skills during its 14 year run as one of the top drawing bands in the area, playing shows at clubs, colleges and festivals all over the eastern half of the United States and in Canada. During that time, First Light released several recordings on vinyl, cassette and CD on the independent label, Thin Ice Records.

By 1994, a few years before First Light disbanded, Carlos’ next project was already underway. The Peace Love Unity Syndicate, which would later become known as Carlos Jones & The PLUS Band, was already playing shows in the area, and people were starting to take notice. His goal was to get back to the more spiritual and positive messages in Reggae music that had captured his heart from the start, back when Reggae was first gaining worldwide attention through artists like Jimmy Cliff, Bob Marley & The Wailers, Peter Tosh, Toots & The Maytals, Culture, Third World and Burning Spear, all of whom he's had the pleasure of sharing the stage with over the years. 

Now with 27 years under his belt with the current group, Carlos continues to keep the Reggae fire burning with his steadfast allegiance to the positive vibration, lifting hearts and stirring souls every time he and his band take the stage. The PLUS Band has three full length releases to date: Roots With Culture (2004), Leave A Trail (2009) and their first live recording called "Live From Cleveland", which came out in 2016. A 4-song EP, Positive Vibrations, was released in 2011, and they have sporadically released several singles over the past few years. All are on Little Fish Records, an independent Cleveland label run by his manager, Larry Koval, who has been with Jones since 1998. The band is currently working on a new album to be titled "A New Day", which they hope to release this summer.

Now, at the age of 62, when asked about his plans for the future, he'll tell you, "I'm just grateful to see every new day, and to be given the opportunity to make each one the best I can. I'll just keep moving forward, and follow the path where it leads, you know? Promoting positivity , peace, love and understanding betweeen people is my life's purpose and I'm blessed to be able to do what I love. What more could I ask out of life?"

His official website is www.carlosjones.com

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Marty Dread is known as “Hawaii’s  Reggae Ambassador”. Constantly on the cutting edge, whether live on stage, or in the studio.  Marty Dread draws inspiration from his tropical home of Maui, in Hawaii.  He rules as Maui’s hottest performer/ recording artist with over two decades of constant live performances and four Hoku award nominations (Hawaii’s version of the Grammy’s) under his belt, all while maintaining a constant international touring schedule. Dread’s energetic, crowd pleasing live show has opened for and toured with Ziggy Marley, Willie Nelson, Jimmy Cliff, Shaggy, Jack Johnson, The Wailers, Damian Marley, Yellowman, Doobie Brothers, Inner Circle, Steel Pulse, Eek-a-mouse, Don Carlos, Los Lonely Boys, Midnite, Steel Pulse, Aswad, Pato Banton, Lucky Dube, The Itals, The Congos, Pablo Moses, Maxi Preist, Black Uhuru  Mad Professor, Tippa Irie, Bambu Station, Dezarie, and more…

Discography, 
1994 – Versatile Roots
1996 – Reggae for Love
1997 – Live
1999 – Reggae Suite
2000 – Keiki Reggae (Positive sounds for the youth)
2001 – On the Beach
2003 – The Hits 1993-2003
2004 – Marty Dread meets Alika at Koloa Dub Land
2005 – Live 2
2006 – Next Level
2007 – In Good Company
2008 – Still Playing Reggae 
2010- The Hits 2003-2010
2011 - it sometimes rains in Paradise
2014 - Upcountry Boy
2016 - Marty Dread meets Fully Fullwood - “ A so life go”
2016 - Versatile Roots ( 20th anniversary remixed edition)
2021 - Treasure Box of Hits ( the Errol Brown remixes)
2023 - What do you mean to me￼

Singles:

1993 - "Wicked Wahine"
2006 - "What Happened to Peace on Earth?" with Willie Nelson, Jack Johnson, Ben Harper, Michael McDonald, and Pat Simmons
2006 - "Take No Part" w/Willie Nelson, Sly and Robbie
2008 - "Peaceful Solution" w/Willie Nelson, Mad Professor
2009 - "No Ice in Paradise" with Mad Professor
2010 - "Auright" with Ten Feet
2011 - "Stay HI" with The Throwdowns
2012 - "Have You Ever Seen the Rain" with Inner Circle
2013 - "Lite This Up" featuring Willie Nelson
2013 - "Search I" with Million 7
2014 - "Say NO to GMOs" (EP) with Twilight Circus
2014 - "Thank You for Nothing"
2015 - "A'ole TMT" feat. Leiohu Ryder
2016 - "Love You Madly"
2016 - "Home (Errol Brown Remix)"
2016 - "Pokemaster (Remix)" feat. Darrell Labrado
2016 - "Maker of Them All"
2016 - "Jump for Jah" w/Prezident Brown
2021 - "Love Somebody Today" with Sly and Robbie
2023 - "One More Day" - with Sly and Robbie


Venues
The White House, Washington D.C.
House of Blues, Hollywood, CA
Cotton Club, Harlem, NY
Coach House, CA
Belly Up Tavern, CA
Winston’s, CA
The Wild Hare,Chicago, Il
Sierra Nevada World Music Festival, Booneville, CA
Farm aid, Miller Park, Milwauke, WI
SMARTFEST, Sandwich, NH
First TAP, Anchorage, AK
Reggae on the River, Humbolt County, CA
Azalia Festival, Wilmington, NC
Pure Aloha  Festival, Las Vegas, NV
Midwest Reggae Fest Cleaveland, OH
Northwest Reggae Festival, Seattle, WA
Dreadstock, Valejo. CA
420 Festival, Palmer, AK
Reggae by the Peir, San Francisco, CA
Willie’s Nelson’s 4th of July picnic, Fort Worth, Tx

International shows in:
Bangkok, Thailand
Moscow, USSR
Rio Di Jeneiro, Brazil 
Dededo, Guam
Papeete, Tahiti
Shanghai, China
Vancouver, B.C.

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