Groundation

Biography

Groundation is an American roots reggae band formed in 1998 at the Jazz Performance program of Sonoma State University in California by Harrison Stafford (guitar/lead vocals), Ryan Newman (bass), Marcus Urani (keyboards), and drummer James Stafford. Stafford's deep knowledge of reggae led him to teach the first California state university accredited class on the History and Culture of Reggae Music, where legends like Joseph Hill of Culture and Abba Melchezadek (Haile Selassie's private secretary) shared experiences.[1][2][3][5][6] The band's early albums, Young Tree (1999) and Each One Teach One (2001), established their signature roots reggae/jazz fusion sound, blending improvisation, funk, dub, and socially conscious lyrics while collaborating with foundational Jamaican artists like Marcia Higgs and Nyabinghi drumming master Ras Michael.[1][2][6]

Over the years, Groundation evolved through personnel changes but remained anchored by Harrison Stafford's leadership, incorporating jazz trumpeter David Chachere (2000), trombonist Kelsey Howard, drummer Rufus Te Kanawa Haereiti (2008), percussionist Mingo Lewis Jr. (son of Santana collaborator Mingo Lewis), and vocalists Kim Pommell and Stephanie Wallace (2007-2008).[1][2][3] They released acclaimed albums like Hebron Gate (2003), recorded at Lion and Fox studios with engineer Jim Fox, and continued with We Free Again (2004), Upon The Bridge (2006), Here I Am (2009), Building An Ark (2012), A Miracle (2014), and The Next Generation (2018), which opened with a full jazz big band and won Reggae.fr's Best Roots Reggae Album of 2018.[3][6] Known for dynamic live performances, the band has toured over 35 countries across 5 continents, headlining major festivals and earning recognition as the biggest, most respected American reggae band.[1][2][3][6]

Groundation's legacy lies in pushing reggae boundaries with jazz harmonies, live improvisation, and a commitment to social upheaval messages, fostering a unique international movement while honoring Jamaican roots through collaborations with elders like Don Carlos, Leroy 'Horsemouth' Wallace, Pablo Moses, and The Congos.[3][4]

Fun Facts

• Harrison Stafford taught the first California state university accredited class on Reggae Music History at Sonoma State, hosting guests like Joseph Hill of Culture and Haile Selassie's private secretary Abba Melchezadek.
• The band's 2009 Here I Am World Tour covered over 100 shows across 50,000 miles in 10+ countries, one of the most ambitious by an independent reggae group.
• Hebron Gate (2003) frequently appears on lists of the greatest reggae albums of all time.
• The Next Generation (2018) opens with a full 12-piece jazz big band and won Reggae.fr's Best Roots Reggae Album of 2018, voted by over 16,000 industry members and fans.

Members

• Paul "Papa" Spina (from 2001-12 until 2008-07)
• David "Diesel" Chachere
• Joshua Freeman
• Kelsey Howard
• Ikesha Johnson
• Mingo Lewis Jr.
• Kerry-Ann Morgan
• “Iron” Ryan Newman
• Jason Robinson
• Harrison Stafford
• James Stafford
• Marcus Urani

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Joseph Hill (Culture) - Guest speaker in Stafford's reggae history class at Sonoma State (Class lectures) [late 1990s]
• Abba Melchezadek - Historical icon and guest speaker in Stafford's reggae history class (Haile Selassie's private secretary) (Class lectures) [late 1990s]

Key Collaborators

• Ryan Newman - Original bassist and co-founder (Young Tree, Each One Teach One) [1998 onward]
• Marcus Urani - Original keyboardist and co-founder (Young Tree, Each One Teach One) [1998 onward]
• James Stafford - Original drummer and co-founder (Early albums) [1998]
• David Chachere - Jazz trumpeter (Multiple albums post-2000) [2000 onward]
• Rufus Te Kanawa Haereiti - Longtime drummer (replaced Paul Spina) (Albums from 2008 onward) [2008 onward]
• Mingo Lewis Jr. - Percussionist adding Afro-Cuban rhythms (Multiple albums) [2000s onward]
• Marcia Higgs - Vocalist on early album (Each One Teach One) [2001]
• Ras Michael - Nyabinghi drumming master (Each One Teach One) [2001]
• Don Carlos - Reggae elder collaborator (Studio albums) [2000s]
• Leroy 'Horsemouth' Wallace - Reggae elder collaborator (Studio albums) [2000s]
• Jim Fox - Studio engineer and producer (Hebron Gate (2003), We Free Again (2004), Upon The Bridge (2006), Here I Am (2009), Building An Ark (2012), A Miracle (2014)) [1999 onward]

Artists Influenced

• Jason Robinson - Original saxophonist who became head of Jazz program (Early Groundation performances; later UC San Diego Jazz program) [1998-2000s]

External Links

• Spotify
• MusicBrainz

Tags: #bongo-man, #dub, #jazz