Reggae Redemption

Band Members:
DREW 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. He performed with many known and unknown bands.Drew's sensation can be sense in his approach to his music. His style of writing and his 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.

With Redemption he sins lead, and plays the keyboard...

CLAUDELLE 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

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

DAVID MC-CRACKEN David started playing drums in 1997. Since then he had manifested in hisself a drummer in every true form. David's love for music did not stop behind his 1970's Pearl Export kit and mixes of Sabian and Zildjian cymbals. He started to spin Turntables as a disk jock in 2000. (spun jungle/D&B, Reggae and Dance-Hall sets). In 2003, after a failed attempt at producing beats for a hip hop CD, David's concentration was more geared to be the drummer of all drummers. With much practice and devotion, his journey began with Magnus - a hardcore band. He is presently working on an album with the band. David became a dedicated member of REDEMPTION in 2006. With no exception, David's love for the Reggae genre, allows him a free mind to explore and delve into his inner being, thus rendering an exceptional and distinct style of drumming which maybe unique but prolific.

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 Shwarg 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.

Pictures:
           
SonicBids Press Kit: N/A