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Adrian Xavier & Ska Island w/ The Highlife Band & DJ Rootsonic
Mon, 20 Apr, 8:00 PM PDT
Doors open
7:00 PM PDT
Tractor
5213 Ballard Avenue NW, Seattle, WA 98107
Event Information
Age Limit
21+
Reggae
Adrian Xavier
Adrian Xavier
Reggae
Adrian Xavier & Ska Island are celebrating the release of their epic single "Peace To All Nations". Recorded in Sept 2024 at Stone Gossard's "Studio Litho" in Fremont, Adrian's message of Peace and Love has never been more clearly and urgently stated. Built around a traditional spiritual Nyabhingi drum session, the powerful harmonized horn section soars over a rootsy bass and drums groove, while rock guitars texture the atmosphere of the song, and a sneakily funky clavinet part turns this into a genre-fusing epic.
Adrian Xavier was born in Seattle and raised traveling throughout the West Coast of the United States. His mom Swaneagle is known in Pacific Northwest creative and activist circles as a free-spirited visual artist whose work reflects earth consciousness, unity, and grassroots social awareness. His mother and father's influences helped shape his blend of reggae, dub, folk, pop and global influences. Growing up with a father immersed in the Los Angeles fast-paced broadcast world - while being mostly raised by an activist visual artist - gave Adrian exposure to two very different but equally powerful creative influences. From the remote mountains of Eastern Washington to the suburbs of Los Angeles, Adrian Xavier grew up around diversity, The vibrant Pacific Northwest music community played a major role in developing his sound and career. Adrian Xavier's early music career began with the band Pure Water, which he started in 1997. While he was a member of Pure Water, the band opened for major reggae acts including The Wailers (Bob Marley's legendary band) and Jimmie Cliff.
On stage, Adrian doesn't just perform songs - he creates atmosphere and connection. Whether performing solo with acoustic guitar or backed by a full band, his shows move between roots reggae grooves, world-beat rhythms, folk-inspired storytelling, and moments of improvisational dub energy. His lyrics center on unity, social awareness, empowerment, and positive action. Songs often invite the crowd to reflect, sing along, and participate.
The mighty Ska Island band is an explosive jazz-band style ska band inspired by the original ska masters, the Skatalites. Featuring a talented lineup of veteran reggae and jazz professionals from across the PNW, the group has been amazing and delighting audiences across the region, both in their works with Adrian and independently performing new versions of classic ska tunes as well as original compositions. The powerful horn section punctuates a tight & punchy rhythm section, and the whole band is stacked with dazzling soloists. The lineup's other credits include works with artists like The East Van All-Stars, Winston Jarrett, The Herbivores, Clinton Fearon's "Boogie Brown Band", State of Jefferson, The Jazz Senators, GrooveLab, Dub Lounge Int'l, Yogoman Burning Band, New Old Chatauqua's "Fighting Instruments of Karma" band, and many others.
Classic Ska
Ska Island
Ska Island
Classic Ska
World
The Highlife Band
The Highlife Band
World
Since its beginnings in 2011, The Highlife Band has been cultivating original reggae and world music that integrates influences from Jamaica, West Africa, the Caribbean, Brazil, and beyond.
Seattle based Franco-American lead singer, guitarist, and songwriter, Daniel Miller weaves the sounds of various cultures of the African Diaspora into new songs with searing clear vocals, tight horn arrangements, and a pulsating rhythm section. These serve as a vehicle for timeless messages of peace, love, and understanding, while delivered with a sense of immediacy and relevance for today’s listeners.
The band’s resonating live performances have quickly helped the group rise to prominence. Based in Seattle, WA and having toured in France and the Western U.S. for the past decade, The Highlife Band’s energy onstage is infectious, with shows quickly turning into a dance party as the band engages with the audience.
World
DJ Rootsonic
DJ Rootsonic
World
Rootsonic is a Seattle-based music producer, songwriter, DJ, and instrumentalist, producing original music from the Heart. With over 15 years performing in the Reggae, Hip-Hop, and Soul music community Rootsonic brings a dynamic range of creative soundscapes, driving rhythms, and psychedelic grooves to keep the love alive.