NEW MUSEUM IN KINGSTON, JAMAICA TO HONOR LEGENDARY REGGAE MUSICIAN PETER TOSH

Museum Dedicated to Founding Member of The Wailers and Prolific Solo Artist Will Be Located at the Re-Named ‘Peter Tosh Square’ at the Pulse Centre in New Kingston, Jamaica

This October, late Reggae Legend Peter Tosh will be honored with the opening of a new museum dedicated to his life and impact on the music industry and the world. A founding member of the groundbreaking reggae group The Wailers along with Bob Marley and Bunny Wailer- his work with the group, later solo career, social activism, and advocacy of the Rastafarian religion have left a lasting mark on not only Jamaican culture, but the world at large.

The project comes on the 40th anniversary of the commercial release of Tosh’s 1976 hit single “Legalize It”, and is promised to give fans a fascinating and introspective look into the life of one of Jamaica’s most celebrated figures. Many prominent artists/entertainers who have been majorly impacted by his life and music have also been invited to attend.

When the Peter Tosh Museum officially opens its doors, Jamaicans and visitors from around the world will be able to see a large collection of never-before-seen Tosh memorabilia, as some of the treasures will be displayed to the public for the first time. Visitors will also be able to relive aspects of the non-conformist, futuristic and abundantly creative Tosh experience through sizzling audio and video recordings featuring the superstar, as well as iconic artifacts including his M16 guitar and beloved unicycle that became one of his favorite means of transportation. Also available will be exclusive merchandise for sale to the public.

Museum Launch Itinerary:

Wednesday, October 19th: Launch VIP Cocktail Event (7PM)

Thursday, October 20th: Symposium (6PM)

Friday, October 21st: Press Conference (10AM)

Saturday, October 22nd: Museum Benefit Concert (8PM)

Sunday, October 23rd: Peter Tosh Memorial Garden Excursion (9AM)



Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness (Right) with Niambe McIntosh (Center, holding her Father’s M16 guitar) and Chairman of Pulse Kingsley Cooper (Left) at Jamaica House

A self-taught guitar and keyboard player, Tosh and The Wailers became pioneers of the burgeoning reggae scene in the late 1960’s, and together they toured the world for over ten years. He left the band in 1973 to pursue his solo career and earned huge success with “Legalize It” and later solo releases. The project is promised to give fans a deeper look into the man behind the music. Tosh died at the age of 42 in 1987 during a tragic home invasion.

“This is an important turning point in the preservation and advancement of my father’s legacy, and the museum will allow my father’s message of equal rights and justice to be heard by generations, both young and old,” Niambe McIntosh, daughter of the Grammy winner and administrator of the Peter Tosh Estate has recently said.



Tosh with Fellow Wailer Bob Marley and Mick Jagger, with Whom He Collaborated on 1978’s “Walk and Don’t Look Back”

The Museum project is a joint-venture collaboration between the Peter Tosh Estate, Pulse Investments Ltd, and Andrea Marlene Brown.

Pulse Chairman Kingsley Cooper, who produced the 1983 Pulse Superjam concert which became Tosh's last ever performance, and who led the initiative for the museum’s establishment, said he was pleased that the lengthy negotiation had finally borne fruit and he is looking forward to this game-changing project. “The great Rastafarian campaigner for equal rights and justice, for the abolition of apartheid and for the legalization of marijuana, who did not get his due in life, will now be duly honoured by this important addition to his legacy,” Cooper said.

Tosh left behind a legacy that included countless hits, collaborations with artists such as Mick Jagger (“Walk and Don’t Look Back”) and Keith Richards, and a family who have worked diligently in recent years on the Museum project and preserving his legacy.

The Peter Tosh Museum, opening this October, will help to further solidify Peter Tosh as a founding father of reggae, and an abounding social activist who accomplished so much in a short time.

For More Information on Peter Tosh and His Legacy, Visit:

www.PeterTosh.com

Gnarly Karma start up 2016 with new album and show at The Bitter End, January 23rd!

New York alternative rock band Gnarly Karma just debuted a fresh new album called "Classic Breeze" and play The Bitter End, Saturday - January 23rd.

Gnarly Karma is one of the most interesting bands on the New York City scene right now. They have a unique sound made up of guitar, bass, drums, sax, keyboards, harmonica and vocals. Mike Renert is an emotional singer with a dynamic range, full of classic rock influences and a grungy rasp. He has the lyrical wit of Neil Young, or similar to Adam Duritz on the softer songs, songs about 'love and life' from a storyteller's point of view. The more upbeat acoustic tracks are in the vein of the Dave Matthews Band and O.A.R.. There's always a great groove. There's always a solid pulse. The saxophone gives the music a transcendental vibe and contemporary jazz/rock feel that works with Renert's hypnotic songwriting style. They are an exciting act to catch live and always impress. Top notch musicians.. Check them out at The Bitter End, January 23rd!

"Classic Breeze" is now available on iTunes, Spotify, Amazon, Apple Music, and more.

Oogee Wawa and the age of modern medicine in music...

There have been few bands to mix multiple music genres over the past 20 years successfully. This was a ‘thing’ in the 1970’s after the breakout of The Beatles’ drug explorations of 1967. It is argued today that The Beatles may not have been the most original band, copying and inserting influences into their music to call their own, but The Beatles were the most famous band of their time so they were the ones to show the world new movements in pop rock culture. The 70’s brought on bands like Led Zeppelin or Yes, bands that could actually play blues and jazz to a progressive extent, thus forming the genre: progressive rock. 

By today’s standards, labels are not so important and the younger generation of musicians can play many styles more instinctively. Over the years, we’ve had bands like Red Hot Chili Peppers, Jane’s Addiction and Radiohead, bands that fuse different styles with ease commercially. The commercial part is the tricky part. How does one self indulge in whatever they want to do when it’s against the public norm and sell tickets to see it? Few bands try... some succeed, some don’t.

Oogee Wawa come from Long Island, New York, a place where everyone’s trying to ‘make it’ at what they want to do. Long Island has reggae bands, funk bands, jazz, rock, hip hop, blues, folk and any other kind of approach you can think of. Oogee Wawa (sounds like a Frank Zappa album title, no?) are mixing all of this into their trademark sound and drawing huge crowds to boot. They are exceptional musicians with ambitious hearts in a growing music scene where everyone’s competing for attention and the better gig. But they seem more focused on having a great time and making feel good tracks more than fame and fortune. Nevertheless, the grab bag of fame and fortune seem to be heading their way. This is how most great bands move ahead, by doing what they do and not trying to copy someone else for superficial purposes. 

When listening to their songs, I feel uplifted, like everything’s gonna work out and there’s no reason to stress about things. I get this feeling when I listen to Bob Marley. It works like an herbal supplement for depression. Their music is more than catchy pop tunes with a funky beat. It has a flow to get you through the day and each song has a simple clear message for the listener like “Go Your Way” and “Feelin Alive Today”. This was the essence of reggae pioneers- The Wailers. Poetry for the every man and grooves that put a smile on your face.

Not only have Oogee Wawa tapped into something the majority of New Yorkers seem to like, they are hard working players, performing every week and pumping out new material faster than anyone else as far as I can see. They won first place at the Indie Music Fest in Las Vegas, NV and racked up an impressive amount of shows, over 100 in a year, making them incredibly prolific to say the least. They headlined Long Island’s premiere venue The Paramount and continue to draw big crowds wherever they play. 

I love the fact that they combine such eccentric tastes from Eminem to The Beach Boys over beats Lee “Scratch” Perry would flip over. No one else is doing something so fresh and new, it gives a music journalist like myself a rush to the head when I listen. The band has also shared the stage with their predecessors like Slightly Stoopid and Sublime, but I gotta say, I think Oogee Wawa are better! Their jams are even more alive and thousands of people are reacting that way. It’s a party on stage and you’re all invited!

You can experience the Oogee Wawa sensation for yourself by checking their website for tour dates at a venue near you.

Remember what Bob Marley said: “One good thing about music, when it hits you, you feel no pain.” There’s nothing truer in life and Oogee Wawa epitomize the talent to do so.