Alex Shirley - Vocals, Bass John Tallon - Drums, Vocals Bill Steacy - Trumpet, Keys, Vocals Cary Lowney - Steel Pan, Percussion Tony Fusco - Guitar
SEE US LIVE IN CONCERT, FRIDAY AUGUST 29 !! 13TH ANNUAL MONTEREY BAY REGGAEFEST
Influences
Bob Marley, Jimmy Cliff, Peter Tosh, Bunny Wailer, Sly and Robbie, Dennis Brown, Steel Pulse, Garnett Silk, Buju Banton ...and many more
The Monterey Bay's premier reggae and world music group, Jonah and the Whalewatchers continue to bring positive musical conciousness and culture to dancehalls and festivals across California and the western US.
This group was voted 1 BAND IN MONTEREY COUNTY for the year 2007, by readers of the Monterey County Weekly entertainment newspaper.
The Whalewatchers have been constantly active on the live music scene since 1990, and are still building on the foundation of a message of peace and love for humanity that is already understood and firmly rooted in the minds and hearts of reggae music fans worldwide.
It's not surprising to see young and old people alike connecting with this heartbeat music that fuses Caribbean and African beats with American jazz, blues and soul to create a very unique sound that is most often identified as reggae. The band's playlist also includes styles like calypso and soca and more modern dancehall reggae and ska and hip-hop tunes which are guaranteed to get people up and dancing!
The group was formed by soulful Jamaican bassist and singer Alex Shirley with some Carmel and Monterey locals in a series of friendly jam sessions, and finding common musical ground to build upon, other members soon joined the band, including guitarist Tracy Chesebrough, drummer John Tallon, steel pan and percussion player Cary Lowney, trumpet, keyboard and percussion player Bill Steacy and guitarist Jay Burriss.
Hey, how are things? I hope all is well. John, I got your call but I was out of town and just got back tonight. Mystic Riddim Tribe is gonna be playing at Bullwhackers Friday night from 8:30pm until midnight. No Cover Charge. Stop by if you wanna.
Hey what's happening gang!!! Our old "House Reggae Band"!!! Great to hear from you all. Will try and stop by one of your gigs soon. Be almost like old times!!! Peace!!! O.L.O.H.
