JFC Reggae Band
Encyclopedia
JFC is a reggae
, calypso
, and soca
band
based in Arlington
, Virginia
in the Northern Virginia
/ Washington, D.C.
area. Starting as an active band in 2005
, their music is produced independently.
, Trinidad & Tobago, and the USA. Fronted by Trinidad’s Stephen Samuel (Prime Minister’s Cultural Entourage), JFC plays Caribbean dance rhythms, writing songs with positive messages.
Stephen Samuel began his musical career in is homelend of Trinidad circa 1960, playing soca & calypso. He was a mainstay in the showcase Calypso tent
s at Trinidad and Tobago Carnival
in the 1970s - 1980s. Throughout the 1980s-1990s, Samuel fronted reggae & caribbean bands for the Carnival Cruise Lines
.
In 2005, after a hiatus from music, Samuel formed the band JFC, attracting local musicians Earl Carter (Marcus Johnson, Experience Unlimited
, P. Diddy), and Glenn Arnett (Peaches & Herb
). 2008 saw the addition of African drum teacher David McDavitt(Chopteeth
), and bassist Englishman (Itals, Ras Michael
's Sons of Negus, Shango Band). In 2010 guitarist Robin Armstrong (Culture
), and saxophonist Trevor Specht(Chopteeth
), joined JFC. In 2011 keyboardist Worrel "Kango" David (Passion Reggaem TR7, DKGB, Heat Wave) joined JFC.
Reggae
Reggae is a music genre first developed in Jamaica in the late 1960s. While sometimes used in a broader sense to refer to most types of Jamaican music, the term reggae more properly denotes a particular music style that originated following on the development of ska and rocksteady.Reggae is based...
, calypso
Calypso music
Calypso is a style of Afro-Caribbean music that originated in Trinidad and Tobago from African and European roots. The roots of the genre lay in the arrival of enslaved Africans, who, not being allowed to speak with each other, communicated through song...
, and soca
Soca music
Soca is a style of music from Trinidad and Tobago. Soca is a musical development of traditional Trinidadian calypso, through loans from the 1960s onwards from predominantly black popular music....
band
Musical ensemble
A musical ensemble is a group of people who perform instrumental or vocal music. In classical music, trios or quartets either blend the sounds of musical instrument families or group together instruments from the same instrument family, such as string ensembles or wind ensembles...
based in Arlington
Arlington County, Virginia
Arlington County is a county in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The land that became Arlington was originally donated by Virginia to the United States government to form part of the new federal capital district. On February 27, 1801, the United States Congress organized the area as a subdivision of...
, Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
in the Northern Virginia
Northern Virginia
Northern Virginia consists of several counties and independent cities in the Commonwealth of Virginia, in a widespread region generally radiating southerly and westward from Washington, D.C...
/ Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
area. Starting as an active band in 2005
2005 in music
-Events:*During the year 2005, 12 rock music albums scored number 1 in the USA. This was the first time even ten albums have scored number 1 since 1996.-January:...
, their music is produced independently.
Biography
JFC is a multi-cultural roots reggae/soca/calypso band with members from JamaicaJamaica
Jamaica is an island nation of the Greater Antilles, in length, up to in width and 10,990 square kilometres in area. It is situated in the Caribbean Sea, about south of Cuba, and west of Hispaniola, the island harbouring the nation-states Haiti and the Dominican Republic...
, Trinidad & Tobago, and the USA. Fronted by Trinidad’s Stephen Samuel (Prime Minister’s Cultural Entourage), JFC plays Caribbean dance rhythms, writing songs with positive messages.
Stephen Samuel began his musical career in is homelend of Trinidad circa 1960, playing soca & calypso. He was a mainstay in the showcase Calypso tent
Calypso tent
Calypso tents are venues in which calypsonians perform during the Carnival season. They usually are cinema halls, community centers, or other indoor buildings which have seating and stage arrangements to host the entertainers, guests and patrons; or outdoor shows which are held in parks or, more...
s at Trinidad and Tobago Carnival
Trinidad and Tobago Carnival
The Trinidad and Tobago Carnival is an annual event celebrated on the Monday and Tuesday before Ash Wednesday.Carnival in Trinidad and Tobago is the most significant event on the islands' cultural and tourism calendar, with numerous cultural events running in the lead up to the street parade on...
in the 1970s - 1980s. Throughout the 1980s-1990s, Samuel fronted reggae & caribbean bands for the Carnival Cruise Lines
Carnival Cruise Lines
Carnival Cruise Lines is a British-American owned cruise line, based in Doral, Florida, a suburb of Miami in the United States. Originally an independent company founded in 1972 by Ted Arison, the company is now one of eleven cruise ship brands owned and operated by Carnival Corporation & plc...
.
In 2005, after a hiatus from music, Samuel formed the band JFC, attracting local musicians Earl Carter (Marcus Johnson, Experience Unlimited
Experience Unlimited
Experience Unlimited is a Washington, D.C.-based go-go band that enjoyed its height of popularity in the 1980s and early 1990s. Fronted by lead singer/bassist Gregory "Sugarbear" Eliot, the group has had a fluctuating membership over the years, but they have maintained a fairly loyal following...
, P. Diddy), and Glenn Arnett (Peaches & Herb
Peaches & Herb
Peaches & Herb was an American vocalist duo, once comprising Herb Fame and Francine "Peaches" Hurd Barker...
). 2008 saw the addition of African drum teacher David McDavitt(Chopteeth
Chopteeth
Chopteeth is a Washington, D.C.- based afrofunk big-band. Although rooted in Fela Kuti's Nigerian afrobeat, Chopteeth's music is an amalgam of Ghanaian highlife, Senegalese rumba, Jamaican Ska, Mande griot music, 1970's West African funk, Ewe dance drum rhythms, Kenyan Taita afropop, soul-funk,...
), and bassist Englishman (Itals, Ras Michael
Ras Michael
Ras Michael is a Jamaican reggae singer and Nyabinghi specialist. He also performs under the name of Dadawah.-Biography:...
's Sons of Negus, Shango Band). In 2010 guitarist Robin Armstrong (Culture
Culture
Culture is a term that has many different inter-related meanings. For example, in 1952, Alfred Kroeber and Clyde Kluckhohn compiled a list of 164 definitions of "culture" in Culture: A Critical Review of Concepts and Definitions...
), and saxophonist Trevor Specht(Chopteeth
Chopteeth
Chopteeth is a Washington, D.C.- based afrofunk big-band. Although rooted in Fela Kuti's Nigerian afrobeat, Chopteeth's music is an amalgam of Ghanaian highlife, Senegalese rumba, Jamaican Ska, Mande griot music, 1970's West African funk, Ewe dance drum rhythms, Kenyan Taita afropop, soul-funk,...
), joined JFC. In 2011 keyboardist Worrel "Kango" David (Passion Reggaem TR7, DKGB, Heat Wave) joined JFC.
Members
- Stephen Samuel (lead vocals)
- Worrel "Kango" David(keyboard)
- Robin Armstong (guitar/vocals)
- David McDavitt (drums/percussion/vocals)
- Erald "Englishman" BriscoeErald BriscoeErald Briscoe, also known as Englishman is a British-born reggae musician who has recorded as a solo artist and has also played bass guitar in several bands, including Ras Michael's Sons of Negus, the Shango Band , and JFC....
(bass/vocals) - Trevor Specht (saxophone)
Discography
- Barack Obama (song & video) (2008)
- "Last Days" Dec 2008 tba
- Tata (Sam'O solo) (2004)
External links
See also
- Mighty SparrowMighty SparrowMighty Sparrow or Birdie is a calypso singer, songwriter, and guitarist. Known as the "Calypso King of the World," he is one of the most well-known and successful calypsonians...
- Bob MarleyBob MarleyRobert Nesta "Bob" Marley, OM was a Jamaican singer-songwriter and musician. He was the rhythm guitarist and lead singer for the ska, rocksteady and reggae band Bob Marley & The Wailers...
- SOJA