Reggae Redemption

THEY'LL B JAMMIN'

Redemption is one of the hardest working bands on the St. Louis and Illinois Reggae scene.The members are definitely some of the best among the best of musicians. They are. Darnell (Doc) Russell - guitar, Sunni Danaayal - Drummer, John (Smilee) Blandford- Bass, Claudelle (Dell) Daway-lead vocal and Andrew (Drew) Gray - keyboards and lead vocal.

The band's demographics are everyone. Though the genre, without a shadow of a doubt is Reggae, the added flavor of jazzy, bluesy and classical underlines, creates and envelope an environment that no other reggae band have experienced; thus, the audience have some form of familiarity and relationship with the band's compositions.

The objective of the band is to present an opportunity to their audience to enjoy themselves in a manner incomparable to other concerts and shows.

FUN! FUN! FUN!

Band Members:
Drew was born in Kingston Jamaica. There, he studied music and graphic design at the Jamaica School of Arts (Edna Manley College for the Visual Arts).

In Kingston Jamaica, he experienced the Reggae vibes while teaching music and art and playing with many known and unknown bands. Drew has played with many different Reggae Philharmonic groups.

After migrating to Chicago, from Kingston Jamaica, he formed his own bands, Breaking Ranks and Ultamaxx, (he played clubs like The Wild Hare, House of Blues, The Blue Note, CIGS, and Exodus, ). Yearning for some quiet time to relax and paint, he left Chicago and moved to St. Louis. It wasn't long after that he put together another group and named it after his label "Roots N Roots Inc.", He played with Dubtronix; (St. Louis- Blue Berry Hill, BBs, Pops, Opened for Morgan Heritage]), Mississippi Night [Opened for Shrwagg and performed at several Shrwagg Stocks], Fort Leonard Wood opening for comedy shows in The Persian Club and The Audy Murphy Club.Drew had been dubbed as one of the St Louis Reggae All Stars

He had been seen performing with the Murder City Players at numerous events such as the STL Reggae-all-star Show case, Bob Marley Reggae Fest, just to name a few.

Drew's sensation can be sense in his approach to his music. His style of writing and compositions are fill with energy and positive vibrations. His creativity was screaming to be free, so he freed himself from the arid and emptiness of everything that was holding him back.

CLAUDELLE (DELL) DAWAY

Claudelle a Reggae Ambassador, started singing merely a decade ago on a tiny island “Montserrat”. This remains the Emerald Jewel of the Caribbean. He started singing over 25 years ago and performed in many local bands and groups prior to moving to New York city in the late 70’s.

Dell spend most of his youth, listening to all kinds of music. He developed a special liking for Reggae. He was given an opportunity to embark on what he considered one of the greatest opportunity in the world, to be a lead singer for several bands. Claudelle continued performing and have never stopped.

Arriving in New York city, Dell joined the military which in no shape, form or fashion, had deterred him from singing. He continued to improve upon his vocal ability, bringing the sounds and history of Reggae music to various audiences.

After coming to St Louis he had an opportunity to work with groups such as Yard Squad, Dubtronix and other bands in the area.

Claudelle enjoys a broad spectrum of reggae music, but prefers Lovers Rock, being influence by artist such as Bob Marley, Jimmy Cliff, Berres Hammond, Morgan heritage, Dennis Brown, Israelites, Ziggy Marley, Third world and many more.

DARNELL (DOC) RUSSELL

Darnell Russell, AKA Doc, is a reggae artist; a guitarist out of the Midwest area of East St. Louis, whose flavor does not always expound on reggae chops, but sometime with an exponential form that speaks clearly of jazz, funk and R&B. He is the master of his instrument and he can be seen on stage as he displays the sounds of his hypnotic rhythm styles and lead. The Doctor has toured West Africa with the Infra Red Rockers as the opening act for Burning Spear. Since then, doc has performed with some of the top reggae acts in the metro St. Louis area opening for Schwarg at the Mississippi Night, Morgan Heritage at Pops, and rocking the stage at the Blue Berry Hill occasionally.

Darnell is inspired by the rhythmic styles of the late Bingy Bunny and the soaring lead style of Carlos Santana.

JOHN (SMILEE) BLANDFORD John is a highly accomplished musician. He is a graduate of Webster University-BA in Arts. Though John had started out playing the guitar and the piano, and had placed his concentration and emphasis on jazz, he did not limit his talent to one genre and one instrument. He also plays the harmonica, mandolin and the bass.

Smilee enjoy playing the bass, pushing that hard underline which symbolises the root of reggae. His influences are Jimmy Hendrix, Jimmy Page, Ray Clarkes, Pat Mantino, and Charlie Christian

Sunni

The newest member to the band, Sunni Danaayaal (pronounced Dan-I-EL), is a seasoned drummer with an extensive musical history.

He has performed with many multi-cultural groups such as Mor Thiam's, International Drums of Fire, Infrared Rockers (Toured Africa),and Youth & Roots. As the co-founder of Reggae At Will, he introduced Reggae music to the St. Louis masses. Reggae At Will was recognized repeatedly by the Riverfront Times Music Poll as the Best World Beat Band, Best Reggae Band, and the Best Local Band during that time. Sunni has opened for many international acts:- Burning Spear, Steel Pulse, Black Uhuru, Jimmy Cliff, Culture and Yellow-man. He now brings his expertise to Reggae Redemption

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