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GIUSEPPE "JAKA" GIACALONE, born and grown in the ghetto of Marsala and Trapani in Sicily is one of the most noted ambassadors of reggae in Italy. Resident in Tuscany, he is extensively active as a singer, MC, musician, composer, DJ, radio-show host and promoter.

Over the course of his career he was invited to perform live on stage by artists such as Luciano, Alton Ellis, Max Romeo, Michael Franti, Sergent Garcìa, Alborosie, Eek-A-Mouse, Africa Unite, 99 Posse, Roy Paci, and many others, and to keep dancehall with sound systems such as David Rodigan, Saxon Sound, Sentinel, Pow Pow, One Love Hi Powa, Sattamassagana Sound, Villa Ada, Gramigna, Ital Sound , Bass Fi Mass ecc.

Jakas voice opens the album Black Liberation Dub Vol. 2 of Mad Professor, and he composed "Ganjah e Tè Bancha", one of the greatest successes of Italian reggae. He released other big tunes on 45s for One Love records "Reggae In Italia" "Patri di Famigghia" and "Love Fire" for Jahmekya Muzik

In 2007 JAKA & FIRE BAND won the ITALIAN REGGAE AWARD as the best Italian Reggae Live show at the 14th edition of Rototom Reggae Sunsplash.

Jaka "the veteran" recorded his first record in 1987 and his first single under the name of Dj Kote Giacalone in 1991, in combination with Il Generale. Produced by Madaski with the title Della Parola Armati (Wide), today this release is a classic "foundation" of Italian reggae.

Jaka has been the official MC of four editions of ROTOTOM REGGAE SUNSPLASH, European biggest Reggae festival introducing artists like Morgan Heritage, Jimmy Cliff, Capleton and many others,and he has been the anchor man for ArcoIris Tv going on the Sky channel on television, doing legendary interview with artists like Rita Marley, Toots & the Maytals, and many more .

Jaka has appeared in thousands of concerts in the most prominent Italian venues and festivals, including the Olympic Stadium of Rome, Metarock of Pisa, in 7 editions in the Main stage of the Rototom Reggae Sunsplash.

Jaka has been resident DJ for a decade at the prestigious FLOG Auditorium of Florence, where, with turntables and mic, he opens shows for major international artists and where he directs the evenings VIBRANITE, which have become the key event in Italy for dedicated reggae fans.
In 2000 Jaka participated in the tour of Piero Pelù of Litfiba fame in stadiums of major Italian cities.

As radio host, Jaka collaborates with CONTRORADIO, where for 18 years, has presented Bongoman, a program fundamental in popularising reggae in Italy. Jaka is also one of the official DJs of POPOLARE NETWORK, which annually broadcasts the Rototom Reggae Sunsplash live.

Active in the street as a militant and social worker, Jaka conducts music workshops in (neighbor)hoods, schools and prisons in Tuscany, and has initiated the PROJECT H2F, dedicated to Tuscan reggae and hip-hop. The H2F project has inspired two CDs (H2F e H2F2) and a video documentary that represents the vibrant and ever-growing Tuscan scene where Jaka has been a focal point.

Jaka has collaborated with different kind of musicians such as Miele aka Madox for Virgin Records, and the father of House music Alexander Robotnick. Jaka recorded some works even for the legendary Marshall Chess ( Rolling Stones manager for years) of Chess records .

JAKAs concerts and DJ sets remain one of the best ways to be part of one of the most intriguing shows of contemporary Reggae.