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Catch New England reggae sensation Mighty Mystic live at the Newport Blues Cafe on Wednesday, July 20th. Mighty Mystic has been making waves in the international reggae world with his conscious and uplifting music.

When I say Mighty you say Mystic..! Mighty! Mystic! Mighty! Mystic! : Is the triumphant chant that echoes from the crowd as Mighty Mystic walks on stage. With Mic in hand Mystic begins to sing “He who runs away will live to fight another day”, the crowd erupts like liquid flame from a volcano. Mighty Mystic has arrived and it was worth the wait. However the story of Mighty Mystic did not begin there, it began some twenty plus years ago in the country side of St. Elizabeth, Jamaica. Mighty Mystic was born Kevin Mark Holness to parents Morris and Sonia Holness. As a child young Mystic showed early interest in his native island’s music. It was common to hear Mystic singing songs like “Buffalo Soldier”, “What the Hell the Police Can Do” or hymns sung in Sunday morning Church. It wasn’t until some years later when his family relocated to Boston that Mighty Mystic began to wet his feet in the local music scene.

After several years of developing his craft and several small scale releases Mighty Mystic teamed up with producer Mike Cip to develop Mystic’s first National/International venture. The duo wasted little time and scored a hit with their first release “Riding on the Clouds” in 2006. “Riding on the Clouds” was received with tremendous accolades and stood on top of Reggae charts both nationally and internationally for the following 2 years. Mystic continued on his early success with the release of “Better Times”, “Fire Town”, and Revolution, all of which gained Mystic great notoriety and opened the eyes of music lovers towards Mighty Mystic. For his efforts Mystic would earn several “Artist on the Rise” and a dozen “Best new Artist” Awards proving that Mighty Mystic was making great strides as a one of the young artist to watch out for.

Mighty Mystic’s early success landed him on his first national tour which opened Mystic’s eyes to the world around him. Mystic returned from the tour more passionate and devoted than ever and immediately threw himself back in the studio. Over the next six months Mystic and Producer Mike Cip recorded, mixed and mastered over 80 songs for Mighty Mystic’s next project. Mystic would emerge with a diverse catalog and a more universal sound along with another key element, the element of a band… The first release off this new project came in Nov, 2008 titled “Here I Am” Ft Reggae Pop Icon Shaggy. The song was an instant success and could be heard in the clubs, College and Urban Mainstream Radio as well as been seen on TV such as MTV JAMZ. Mystic kept the good vibes flowing with the 2009 release of “Slipped Away”, “Free”, and “Hero”.

Mystic’s new sound and musical diversity proved to be a magnet for music lovers who were in search of something refreshing and as a result fans began to pour in from all walks of life. Mystic has managed to do something that few Reggae artists living in the U.S have ever done; he has been able to have and maintain an ever growing and thriving career with devoted fans despite not living in Jamaica. Mighty Mystic can be described as a charismatic man on a mission; he’s gone from being a fan of Reggae to a contributor of the art. His diversity has allowed him to cultivate a wide and loyal following.

In March 2010 Mighty Mystic announced that his debut Album “Wake up the World” would hit iTunes, Amazon and all other online retail stores November 24, 2010 via Big Fish Digital Distribution Inc. Mystic says; “My album can be summed up with one word, UNIVERSAL. Music is life and life is very broad, so I wanted to design something that can suit all people that was my mission”. That May, 2010 Mighty Mystic and his Thunder Band performed for a sold out audience at his Album Listening Party at Paradise Rock Club in Boston. The response was overwhelming and Mystic’s fans are excited and ready for the November release. Mystic’s first official Single off of his “Wake up the World” Album is titled “I Alone” which has already picked up major support on the Reggae/Urban music scene. On September 10, 2010 Mighty Mystic and the “Thunder Band” performed live on NBC Channel 6 Maine as part of a weekend run culminating with a Mighty Mystic concert live at Port City Music Hall, in downtown Portland Maine. Be on the lookout for this invigorating, infectious artist as he climbs the ladder of success with humility and passion.

Mighty Mystic live at The Newport Blues Cafe | Wednesday July 20th | $10 Admission | 21+

On July 30th, catch Hope Road at The Ocean Mist in Matunuck, RI for a tribute to Bob Marley and the Wailers. Hope Road is a tribute band recreating the music, the passion, and the vibe of Bob Marley & The Wailers. Each member of this group has a deep respect for the music and the group we are paying tribute to. Bob Marley & The Wailers created music that inspired, empowered and sometimes overwhelmed audiences. Our mission is to bring that music to listeners with an intensity and a positive energy that they can’t help but enjoy and embrace.

About Jason Jarvis (Vocals & Percussion) Jason has been writing and performing music continually since 1984. His family came to the United States from the Bahamas and settled in Westerly, RI, which is where lives and is currently raising his own family. Jason embodies the spirit of Reggae music, the rhythm, the passion and the positive energy it creates. Jason is a seasoned musician playing percussion, guitar, harmonica and flute in various bands including long time New England favorite Green Tea. Throughout the years Jason has honed the ability to connect with an audience and “share the vibe”. His tone and depth as a musician are evident as he entertains audiences on a journey through the expansive Bob Marley catalogue.

About Greta Frost (Vocals, Guitar & Percussion) Greta Frost has been writing and playing her original music since the age of 13. Prior to that she studied classical piano for 5 years and found the voice that has evolved into what you hear today. Born and raised in the cradle of love that is Rhode Island, she traveled the country playing music coast to coast before sewing seeds in the state of Vermont. The mystical mountains and the cities she visits give the many songs she writes and performs a unique sound, uplifting as they are relaxing. Creative thinking and positive progression are a crucial part of her music and passion for life. Whether she is playing an acoustic guitar or chatting on the microphone, her love for music and humanity shine through. Peace to all who are passing through~

About Mel Corcino (Drums) Mel was born in Puerto Rico and grew up in the great Town of Juncos. My lovely wife is Meliza Jimenez and my daughter is Natasha Nicole. He was student of the percussion department in the “Escuela Libre de Musica” (Caguas, Puerto Rico) under the supervision of well-known percussionist Jose “Pepe” Torres. Currently, he is continuing his drumming education with Drumming Global Ambassador Dom Famularo. Mel has been playing drums since 1985. He had the opportunity to play in great bands growing up back in Puerto Rico. These bands were Orbe Azul (Latin Pop Rock; 1996-1998), Sweet Spirit (Christian R&B), Nueva Identidad (Christian Pop Rock), Orlando Pabellon Latin Jazz Quintet (Latin Jazz). He relocated with his family to CT, USA on March 2004. Currently, he resides in the Town of Salem. Mel teaches drums at The Music Bureau, Salem, CT. If you want to contact Mel for lessons or substitute work, please email mmcorcino@yahoo.com or call (860) 287-7584.

About Brian Lauri (Vocals, Organ, Piano, Synth) Brian is the backbone of Hope Road and brings the “it” factor you have heard about. Recreating the music of Bob Marley requires headspace and feel and that is what Brian brings to the group. He is an accomplished pianist/organist and draws from nearly twenty years of live performance, music education and life lived to the fullest. Brian has recently had the opportunity to perform with legendary Grateful Dead bassist Phil Lesh and has taken every ounce of inspiration and poured it back into his music. Brian is well connected in the northeast and has performed throughout New England in hundreds of venues to literally thousands of listeners. He currently resides in Memphis, NY and runs a recording studio where he handles engineering and production. Please contact us here for rates, availability and information regarding the studio.

About David Allen (Vocals, Bass) David is the veteran in this group of seasoned players. He currently resides in Richmond, RI with his wife Cathy and son Paul. He holds down the groove with masterful syncopation and arranges the sweet harmonies and melodies that make Bob’s music so special. Dave, like the rest of this group, has played in hundreds of venues across New England and has focused his energy on vocal harmony & groove. “Keep it simple, keep it moving & sing it sweet”.

About Jamie Conroy (Vocals, Guitar) Jamie has been performing, writing and recording music since 1985. He currently resides in Ashaway, RI with his family. Jamie keeps the roots, rock, reggae chucking and recreates the beautiful guitar lines and textures as Bob and the Wailers did so well. There is always something about those first few guitar notes of a song that just take you there and that’s what Hope Road is all about. “You’ve got to dig to get it” but when you get it its usually magic.

Catch reggae legends The Itals in Newport, as part of Strangeland Tuesday’s summer reggae series. The Itals are a Jamaican reggae vocal group formed in 1976 by Alvin “Keith” Porter, Ronnie Davis, and Lloyd Ricketts. With a career spanning over thirty years, The Itals have recorded nine albums and toured the world extensively.

Their debut single, “In A Disya Time”, is regarded as the group’s finest work, and topped the Jamaican chart. 1987′s Rasta Philosophy was nominated for a Grammy Award as Best Reggae Album.The line-up has changed over the years, with former solo artist David Isaacs joining in 1987 when Ricketts was sentenced to a prison term, preventing him from travelling to the United States.Davis left the group in 1994, and was replaced by Porter’s daughter Kada.The Itals continue to tour in 2009 in support of the newly released compilation of early works produced by Lloyd Campbell, with Davis, Isaacs and Kada joining Keith Porter

Sunday May 29, 2011 the Rhino Bar in downtown Newport, RI will host a night of reggae, dancehall and hip hop.

Featuring top choice selectors:

- OMEGA SOUNDS (DJ Realm and Jah Soldier)
- DJ BABY MATT
- SILENT ASSASSIN
- CHANCELLOR
- RYSTAR
- SISTA LAURA

Free admission from 9pm to 1am on the Rhino Bar side. Facebook event HERE.

July 18th catch Matisyahu at Lupos. Known for blending traditional Jewish themes with Reggae, rock and hip hop beat-boxing sounds, Matisyahu’s single “King Without a Crown” was a Top 40 hit in the United States of America. Since 2004, he has released three studio albums as well as two live albums, two remix CDs and two DVDs featuring live concerts.

Matisyahu live at Lupos:

June 29th catch reggae legends STEEL PULSE live at Lupo’s, 79 Washington Street, Providence RI. Doors at 8pm, show at 9pm, tickets are $22 advance, $25 day of show.

Steel Pulse live at Lupos: