FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
LEGENDARY MIGHTY DIAMONDS CONTINUE U.S. TOUR; TRIUMPH AS HEADLINERS AT RICHMOND, VIRGINIA FOLK FEST
Jamaica’s legendary harmony trio—the Mighty Diamonds, continue to make their way across the country on their 2011 Fall Tour with the Yellow Wall Dub Squad. For an exclusive clip of the Diamonds headlining performance at the Richmond, VA, Folk Festival on Oct. 14, check out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?
On July 30 and 31 of this year the Mighty Diamonds were chosen by Ziggy Marley to perform on Tuff Gong’s Salute to the Legends of Reggae at the Hollywood Bowl and Del Mar Fairgrounds. The extraordinary concert featured performances by the Wailing Souls, Ras Michael and the Sons of Negus, the I-Trees and Ziggy Marley,
“The Mighty Diamonds, I think, are the one of the premiere male vocal trios in our genre of music,” said Marley. “You have their songs, “Pass the Kutchie” and I Need a Roof.” They are a group that I’ve loved since I was a kid. I respect them. Hopefully, we can do this more--expose a wider variety of musicians to people. Whatever I can do to show my love and give them some way to grow their recognition; that’s one of my missions I will continue in my career. It’s not just about me; it’s about the whole movement. We all help each other along the way, you know.”
The Mighty Diamonds with The Yellow Wall Dub Squad Oct 2011
Mon Oct 24: Nectars 188 Main St. Burlington, VT
Tue Oct 25:Sullivan Hall NY, NY
Wed Oct 26: The Blockley. Philadelphia, PA
Thurs Oct 27: The Saint 601 Main Street Asbury Park, NJ
Fri Oct 28: One Pelham East 270 Thames St. Newport, RI
Sat Oct 29:Bambou Baltimore 229 N. Franklintown Rd. Baltimore, MD
Sun Oct 30:Club Footprints 4185 Snapfinger Woods Dr Decatur, GAMon Oct 31:The Funky Buddha 2621 North Federal Highway Boca Raton, FL
Mon Oct 24: Nectars 188 Main St. Burlington, VT
Tue Oct 25:Sullivan Hall NY, NY
Wed Oct 26: The Blockley. Philadelphia, PA
Thurs Oct 27: The Saint 601 Main Street Asbury Park, NJ
Fri Oct 28: One Pelham East 270 Thames St. Newport, RI
Sat Oct 29:Bambou Baltimore 229 N. Franklintown Rd. Baltimore, MD
Sun Oct 30:Club Footprints 4185 Snapfinger Woods Dr Decatur, GAMon Oct 31:The Funky Buddha 2621 North Federal Highway Boca Raton, FL
THE MIGHTY DIAMONDS BIO
As the Hope Diamonds is an American national treasure, the Mighty Diamonds are Jamaican national treasures.
Every reggae fan has at least one favorite song by the Mighty Diamonds:
"Pass the Kutchie," "Right Time," "Master Plan" “Tamarind Farm” “I Need a Roof,” and the list goes on. Formed in Trench Town, 1969, Jamaica's premier harmony trio continue to tour and perform, celebrating more than 40 years of making music, from the most militant roots reggae to the sweetest lover's rock.
The Mighty Diamonds--Fitzroy, "Bunny" Simpson, Donald "Tabby" Shaw and Lloyd "Judge" Ferguson--know what soul is all about.
The three reggae warriors have risen from the poverty and despair of inner city Kingston to become learned reggae ambassadors who have traveled throughout Europe, the U.S., Africa and Japan spreading the gospel of harmony and emancipation from mental slavery.
“Right Time,” The Mighty Diamonds’ breakthrough album on the Channel One label, elevated the group to rock star status in 1975. Produced by Joseph Hoo Kim, "Right Time" brought together the Jamaican musical elite such as Sly and Robbie (drum and bass) and Ancel Collins (keyboards) and generated hits such as "Africa," "Have Mercy" "Natural Natty," "Them Never Love Poor Marcus" and the reggae party album, "Pass the Kutchie," which has been sampled by everyone from Lauryn Hill to Michael Franti to Wyclef Jean.
In a 2009 interview, Wavy Gravy of the Grateful Dead praised the Mighty Diamonds: “I first heard them in Jamaica and I was blown away. Every time I get a chance to see the Mighty Diamonds, I’m thrilled to do it. “I think they’re fantastic—and fun.”
Led by Tabby's soul stirring tenor, their live show is a journey through the African Diaspora from gospel to R&B to roots reggae and dancehall, including covers of songs by the Stylistics ("Country Living") Bob Marley, ("Get Up, Stand Up") Curtis Mayfield ("It's All Right to Have a Good Time") Jester Hairston ("Amen") and Alton Ellis ("Still in Love").
Along with having more than solo recordings that they can count under their belts, the Mighty Diamonds have appeared on a number of compilations including "Is it Rolling Bob? A Reggae Tribute to Bob Dylan" (Sanctuary, 2004), "Old to the New" A Steely & Clevie Tribute to Joe Gibbs Classics" (VP, 2002) and "Fire on the Mountain: Reggae Celebrates the Grateful Dead ("Pow Wow, 1996). During the Christmas season, the Diamonds' lively version of "Frosty the Snowman" (Ras Records) is a hit with young and old. In 2009, the Diamonds released "Special Lady," a remake of Ray, Goodman and Brown’s 1980’s ballad, on their independent label, Street Corner Music.
The Mighty Diamonds have received a number of lifetime achievement awards. In 2006, following their performance at Reggae Sunsplash in Ocho Rios, the Diamonds received a prestigious national award from former prime minister Portia Simpson Miller for their artistic contribution to Jamaican culture.
In November, 2009, Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke recognized the Mighty Diamonds with a Congressional Proclamation for their 40 years of hits and contributions to the music industry, when TSO Productions and the Coalition to Preserve Reggae Music held their 5th annual Reggae Culture Salute at Nazareth High School Performance Center, Brooklyn, NY. Check out the YouTube link of the presentation:http://www.youtube.com/watch?
In honor more than 40 years together as a vocal trio, the Mighty Diamonds received the Ragga Muffins Festival Award of Recognition on Feb. 21, 2010.
Following their performance at the sold out 29th annual Ragga Muffins reggae festival at Long Beach Arena in Long Beach, CA, Bunny, Tabby and Judge were presented with trophies on behalf of the festival and Moss Jacobs Presents.
“The blessings are there; and we are here to share them; that is the most important thing,” said Shaw, who has been the Mighty Diamonds’ lead vocalist since he was a teenager.
This year, the Mighty Diamonds released their latest single “Back ‘A Wall,” which Bunny says, is sure to be a hit.
This summer, the Mighty Diamonds returned to New Orleans, backed by the internationally renowned Yellow Wall Dub Squad. The Mighty Diamonds have a rich history and connection with Crescent City. Bunny Diamond recalled being influenced by New Orleans artists such as Lee Dorsey and the Meters during their early years. In 1977, the Kingston-based singers traveled to New Orleans to record the historic album “Ice on Fire,” with award winning songwriter/producer Allen Toussaint. “Ice on Fire” blends traditional reggae and New Orleans riddims, featuring Toussaint classics such as “Sneakin’ Sally Through the Alley, “Get out of My Life Woman,” and Mighty Diamonds early hits such as “Country Living.”
Toussaint recalled the Mighty Diamonds professionalism and creativity in the recording studio.
“When I’m working with artists, I try and tailor things to fit them, as if you’re a fashion designer and making a dress to fit just you,” said Toussaint. “Whenever I can, that’s the way it’s done. Of course, sometimes you’ll get a group like the Mighty Diamonds, where you don’t have to do that, because they come in with all their materials and all you have to do is put on a safety pin here and there, but they’ve got it together already. I must say that they were so prepared when they got there, there was very little to do but let them in.”
-END-
Media Contact:
Shelah Moody
Booking
Robby Oyugi
Ujama Designs LLC
1107 12th St #517
Boulder, CO 80302
Office:303-415-1352
1107 12th St #517
Boulder, CO 80302
Office:303-415-1352
