SUNDAY, AUGUST 24, AT 7 PM

KCRW'S WORLD FESTIVAL

Following the wild success of last year's jammin' World Reggae celebration, the Hollywood Bowl presents a world-class Jamaican sequel on Sunday, August 24, at 7 p.m. In an evening of Hollywood Bowl debuts, internationally acclaimed singer, songwriter and actor Jimmy Cliff joins dance floor favorites Toots and the Maytals and the soulful Freddie McGregor in bringing some of the best reggae to the Southland's favorite outdoor venue. Cliff's pop and protest influences, Toots and the Maytals' rhythmic gospel sound, and McGregor's Rastafarian roots offer a sampling of reggae's diverse sounds that promises to bring the Bowl audience to its feet.

Reggae Night II is the fifth concert of KCRW's World Festival 2003, which was created in partnership with KCRW (89.9 FM/National Public Radio). The six-concert series concludes with Latin Roots and Rock on September 7 with Los Lobos, Café Tacuba amd Kinky.

Born in St. James, Jamaica, JIMMY CLIFF recorded his first tracks at the age of fourteen. He later met Bob Marley, and together, the two soon-to-be music icons helped to create the modern reggae sound. Known for his easy, radio-friendly style as well as for harder-edged tunes calling for social and political change, Cliff has captivated international audiences of all ages. It was his role as a gun-toting, drug-selling "rude boy" in the 1973 cult classic The Harder They Come and the inclusion of Cliff's reggae anthems "You Can Get It If You Really Want" and "Many Rivers to Cross" on the film's soundtrack that introduced U.S. listeners to the Jamaican star. The multi-talented musician continued to couple film acting roles with movie soundtrack contributions including the U.S. radio hit cover of Johnny Nash's "I Can See Clearly Now" for Cool Runnings and vocals alongside Elton John for The Lion King. Cliff's latest album, 2002's Fantastic Plastic People, continues his long legacy as "Reggae Ambassador." This concert marks his Hollywood Bowl debut.

Once known as the Vikings, TOOTS HIBBERT, RALEIGH GORDON, and JERRY MATTHIAS are the musical forces behind the seminal reggae group TOOTS AND THE MAYTALS. One of Jamaica's most beloved and enduring bands, their sound fuses infectious ska beats with energetic gospel-inspired vocals. Since the release of their popular debut album, Hallelujah, the group has won over audiences around the world with their danceable rhythms and extraordinary live concerts, earning a record-breaking thirty-one number one hits in Jamaica and three Grammy nominations along the way. Their latest release, the eclectic World Is Turning, was recorded and mixed between 1973 and 2002 and is the first album of new material to be released in two decades. The band makes its Hollywood Bowl debut this summer just in time to celebrate the 30th anniversary of The Harder They Come, the film whose soundtrack (including the Toots and the Maytals hits "Sweet and Dandy" and "Pressure Drop") is recognized as one of the greatest reggae albums of all time.

Over the course of his forty-year career, singer, songwriter and producer extraordinaire FREDDIE McGREGOR has firmly rooted himself among the top reggae entertainers of all time. He served as one half of the R&B/reggae fusion duo the Claredonians before his breakthrough 1975 conversion to the Rastafarian faith that prompted a new sound emphasizing roots, culture, and social awareness. It was this new musical direction that brought McGregor international notoriety and won him a string of hit songs, including his signature anthem, "Big Ship." In 1989, McGregor launched his own record label by the same name, adding sought-after producer to his long list of titles. His 36th album, 2002's Anything For You, earned McGregor his first Grammy nomination. He makes his Hollywood Bowl debut in Reggae Night II.

EDITORS PLEASE NOTE:

Sunday, August 24, 7 PM

KCRW'S WORLD FESTIVAL

Reggae Night II

JIMMY CLIFF

TOOTS AND THE MAYTALS

FREDDIE McGREGOR

Anne Litt, host

Tickets ($1 - $73) are on sale now at the Hollywood Bowl box office, by calling Ticketmaster at 213.480.3232, at all Ticketmaster outlets (Robinsons May, Tower Records and Ritmo Latino locations), or online at hollywoodbowl.com. Groups of 12 or more may be eligible for a 20% discount, subject to availability; call 323.850.2050 for further details. For general information or to request a brochure, call 323.850.2000.

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