Now featuring a new generation of talented artists alongside founding members King Selah and Collin "Jahlin" Edwards, House of David Gang is Canada's busiest touring reggae band. Rooted in the timeless tradition of Jamaican roots reggae from the 70s and early 80s as embodied by the immortal Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, and Bunny Wailer; House of David Gang adds a potent mix of jazz, funk and afrobeat to create a true global reggae orchestra.
The House of David Gang takes its name from the legendary House of David afterhours on Queen Street West in Toronto, where King Selah, Jahlin and other artists from the city's burgeoning reggae scene would meet to jam until sunrise. Over the years, members have included players from essential Toronto reggae bands such as the Resinators, Explorer Band, Revelation, Selassie I Power and many more. Today, some of the Canada's finest reggae musicians & vocalists, such as 2-time Juno nominee Jason Wilson, 2011 Juno nominee Tonya P and Michael Garrick, often take the stage as special guests along side Selah (vocals), Jahlin (drums), Jay Cleary (guitar), Snappy Homefry (bass) and Todd Britton (keys).
In the last several years, "The Gang" has been one of Canada's busiest touring reggae bands. Their annual Bob Marley Birthday Tribute and Food Drive tour has become a staple of the winter music calendar across Ontario, Quebec and Atlantic Canada. In Toronto, hundreds of reggae lovers come out for their springtime Original Wailers Showcase and Peter Tosh Tribute. House of David Gang has performed in front of thousands at the Harvest Jazz & Blues Festival, Atlantic Jazz Festival, Evolve Festival, Nufunk Festival, The Word On The Street, Ottawa Reggaefest, Toronto Freedom Festival, and more.
Now, House of David Gang proudly releases its new single "Reggae Party". This King Selah original pays homage to the great reggae vinyl tradition, capturing the band's warmth, energy and passion for roots reggae as it was meant to be heard. On the flip side is "Right Now" by fellow Toronto roots rockers Friendlyness & The Human Rights.
Friendlyness & Human Rights (FHR) & House of David Gang (HODG) are two of Toronto's busiest touring reggae acts who have joined forces to release a 45 rpm 7inch vinyl on the Toronto imprint Ohm Grown Records/NuFunk Recordings.
FHR are releasing a new song "Right Now", and HODG are releasing their first single from their upcoming CD called "Reggae Party." The partnership of these two lead reggae bands were solidified at a sold out concert at Lee's Palace in February honoring the life of the immortal reggae superstar Bob Marley. Joining the release party are Gisto & M3 of BC based band "The Wassabi Collective" who are on tour, bringing their their mix of rock, hiphop, reggae and electro to their cult-like followers across Canada.
FRIENDLYNESS & THE HUMAN RIGHTS
FHR released their debut CD "One Thing" was released in late 2010, however devoted Rastafarian leader MC Friendlyness has long history in the Canadian reggae scene (Culture Shox, Raggadeath, SuperHeavy Reggae, Truths & Rights) earning him a Juno nomination. Friendlyness recently joined the reunited high-profile Canadian rock band Big Sugar, performing to several thousand people at the Sound Academy in March for Canadian Music Week. Over the last two years Friendlyness and the Human Rights have been honoured to warm up the stage for reggae legends Gregory Isaacs, Beres Hammond, John Holt, The English Beat and Clive Chin and have toured to Reggae & Ska Festivals in Western and Central Canada.
HOUSE OF DAVID GANG
HODG takes its name from a legendary rooftop apartment on Queen Street West in downtown Toronto; "The House of David" was the after hours spot of choice for the city's burgeoning reggae scene in the late 1980s, a place where members of Selassie I Power, The Resinators, Revelation, Imagine Rainbow Warriors and special guest touring musicians who performed at The Legendary Bamboo Club earlier that evening would join together and jam late into the night. Now with a revamped line-up House of David Gang has been touring Central & Atlantic Canada, having performed at Evolve Festival, Salty Jam, Harvest Jazz & Blues Festival, Ottawa Reggae Fest and to over 10,000 people at the Toronto Freedom Festival in 2010.
For more info please contact:
Jay Cleary, Publicist / Promoter
416.255.7773
416.877.4075 sms/cell
At the young age 17, Desmond Anderson moved to Canada from his home in Portland, Jamaica. He was immediately taken in by the gospel community and sang for many years in church and festival choirs. Upon staring his own group which he called "Selah", Desmond Anderson become the voice of a resurgence of a roots rock style in Toronto playing frequently at the Bambu, Lee's Palace, and El Mocambo. In 1988, two local bands, (Selah and Imagine Rainbow Warriors) merged together. Desmond became King Selah, the powerful lead vocalist with a heart of gold and the band was now called: "House of David Gang" - named after a Queen Street West house those very members shared and used to the host after-hour reggae parties 1988 -1995. Over several years many musicians have been a part of The House of David and the group played a key role in developing some of Toronto's top session and reggae players. For the past 15 years King Selah and the House of David Gang have hosted the Toronto Bob Marley, Peter Tosh and Bunny Wailer Tributes which have helped bring spotlight Toronto's burgeoning roots rock reggae scene. Now with a new line-up the House of David Gang faithfully recreates the soulful and classic roots rock reggae sound (Bob Marley, Bunny Wailer, Peter Tosh). The band is a certifiable reggae orchestra; the band comprises multiple vocalists, horn players, guitars, keyboards and the rock-steady rhythm section of Collin "Jah-Lin" M. Edwards - (drums) and Uncledropsi (bass).
Collin 'Jahlin' Edwards - Drums
Born in Hanover, Germany. In 1987, he began performing as the drummer with reggae band Imagine Rainbow Warriors, led by local activist Steve Hall. He returned to his family roots in Jamaica in 1992 and stayed until 2003. He has worked with such artists as Gregory Isaacs and Yellowman. Collin's dynamic drum work gives the House of David Gang it's authentic and hard-hitting edge.
Jay 'High Plains Drifter' Cleary - Rhythm and Lead Guitar
Born in Toronto. Jay started his performing career while studying jazz at St. F.X. University in Antigonish, Nova Scotia, co-founding his own funk-fusion project, High Plains Drifter. A versatile guitarist, Jay has played with Caution Jam, Duane Andrews, Mark Wilson & The Way It Is, Dr. Dfunkt and he toured for 3 years with Cape Breton Folk/Rock singer songwriter Aaron MacDonald. He has performed at the Atlantic Jazz Festival, Evolve Festival, Toronto Island Jazz Festival and more. Jay adds his enthusiasm and a funky jazz sound to the House of David Gang.
Snappy Homefry - Bass & Production
Toronto Bass Player Snappy Homefry adds his buttery tone and deep understanding of reggae & dub to the rocksteady foundation of the House of David Gang. His background in studio production has helped shape the House of David Gang's distinct roots rock reggae sound. The recording session for "Toronto, Ontario," (a song written for a Tourist Board Contest in 2009) cemented his relationship with the band resulting Snappy joining the band for Cross Canada Tours and writing sessions. Snappy is currently finishing up production on the band's next album at his downtown Playhouse Studio. Snappy's positive spirit and energetic stage presence adds to House of David Experience.
Todd James Britton - Keyboards
A deep honest respect for the history of the music he plays and those that played it combined with a mischievous need to progress and evolve, Todd brings a unique organ driven element to the House of David Gang. Prior to that Todd was a staple in Nelson BC's music scene playing as a sideman for Blues, Funk, Jazz and "Jam" bands. With the introduction to reggae music in 2003, Todd was drawn to the use of many simple parts to create a rich tapestry of sound and the love/war duality of the lyrics. Whether he is playing his instrumental reggae fusion originals or Marley classics, the influences both musically and spiritually of The Grateful Dead, Phish, Jimmy Smith, Dr.John, Jackie Mittoo and others are always present.
Mike Field - Trumpet
The warm sound of Mike Field's horn is smooth and melodic. With twenty years experience as a soloist and collaborator, Mike can also be heard leading the horn section in reggae and world beat as well as jazz bands on a regular basis. His style is simple, it's sentimental, and it reflects the emotional colors we all experience in our daily lives. Born in Toronto, Mike has toured as a jazz musician in New York City, Denver, Berlin, Frankfurt, Heidelberg and Cyprus.
Dean Yeats - Trombone
Dean Yeats is currently completing his Bachelors Degree in Jazz Performance at the University of Toronto. Dean was the recipient of the University of Toronto's Noreen and Phil Nimmons, and Mamie May entrance scholarships in 2005 and the Duke Ellington scholarship in 2007. Having played with Jazz Big Bands and smaller ensembles, it's Dean's arranging and writing skills that are important parts of his playing.
King Selah - Lead Vocals & Back-Up Vocals 
Collin 'Jahlin' Edwards - Drums 
Jay 'High Plains Drifter' Cleary - Rhythm and Lead Guitar
Snappy Homefry - Bass & Production 
Todd James Britton - Keyboards 
Mike Field - Trumpet
Dean Yeats - Trombone
