SUNDAY, AUGUST 9, 2009 at 7 PM

Concert generously sponsored by Heineken

Media sponsor: KCRW 89.9

The 2009 KCRW World Festival series at the Hollywood Bowl continues on Sunday, August 9, 2009, at 7 p.m., with the 8th Annual Reggae Night featuring Toots & the Maytals, Michael Rose and Gregory Isaacs. KCRW DJ Jeremy Sole hosts.

Three-time Grammy nominees, Toots & The Maytals have been making reggae music and history since the early 1960s when Frederick “Toots” Hibbert joined Raleigh Gordon and Jerry Matthias to form the original trio. One of the great voices of reggae, Toots often draws comparisons to the legendary Otis Redding. With his exceptional vocal prowess in tow, and with the help of the legendary Clement “Coxsone” Dodd, Toots & The Maytals quickly catapulted to island stardom releasing a succession of #1 hits. To this day, The Maytals hold the record for the most #1 hits in Jamaica, with 31 to their credit. Throughout their nearly 50-year career, Toots & The Maytals have incorporated a rich diversity of genres to form their signature sound, from gospel, soul, ska, and reggae, to country & western. Their vibrant live show and constant touring has garnered them worldwide adulation and decades of success. Toots & The Maytals latest release, 2007’s Light Your Light was welcomed with tremendous critical acclaim and featured famed slide guitarist Derek Trucks and superstar Bonnie Raitt.

As the galvanizing lead vocalist and chief creative force behind Black Uhuru, Mykal (Michael) Rose stampeded on stages all over the world mesmerizing countless fans with his flashing eyes, dreadlocks and a stunningly supple voice. In fact, his distinctive vocals launched an entirely new musical style - the Waterhouse sound – spawned from Rose’s upbringing in the rough section of Kingston’s downtown. With resonating lyrics combining messages of “one love” with a fierce advocacy for equality and justice, Uhuru accelerated all the way to the top of international charts. In 1985, the band took home the very first Reggae Grammy ever awarded for their album Anthem. After a number of years in self-imposed seclusion on his coffee farm in the Blue Mountains, Rose triumphantly re-emerged to the international limelight, but this time as a solo artist. He has been electrifying audiences worldwide ever since.

Gregory Isaacs’ distinguished career has stretched over three decades. One of the most prolific artists in reggae, Isaacs has released more material than many of his contemporaries combined. One of the most beloved Jamaican vocalists, Isaacs is both a roots singer whose provocative cultural musings are filled with passion, and a seductive crooner whose declarations of devotion quiver with emotion.

One of the largest natural amphitheaters in the world, with a seating capacity of nearly 18,000, the HOLLYWOOD BOWL has been the summer home of the Los Angeles Philharmonic since its official opening in 1922, and is home to the best and brightest in all genres of music. The 2004 season introduced audiences to a revitalized Hollywood Bowl, featuring a newly-constructed shell and stage and the addition of four stadium screens enhancing stage views in the venue. To this day, $1 buys a seat at the top of the Bowl for many of the Los Angeles Philharmonic's concerts. While the Bowl is best known for its sizzling summer nights, during the day California's youngest patrons enjoy "SummerSounds: Music for Kids at the Hollywood Bowl," the Southland's most popular summer arts festival for children, now in its 42nd season. In January 2009, the Hollywood Bowl was named Best Major Outdoor Concert Venue for the fifth year in a row at the 20th Annual Pollstar Concert Industry Awards; the Bowl's summer music festival has become as much a part of a Southern California summer as beaches and barbecues, the Dodgers, and Disneyland.

EDITORS PLEASE NOTE:

Sunday, AUGUST 9, 2009, at 7 PM

HOLLYWOOD BOWL, 2301 N. Highland Ave. in Hollywood



KCRW’s World Festival



REGGAE NIGHT VIII



Toots & The Maytals

Michael Rose

Gregory Isaacs



Jeremy Sole, host



Concert generously sponsored by Heineken

Media sponsor: KCRW 89.9

Tickets ($10 - $98) are on sale now at HollywoodBowl.com, at the Hollywood Bowl Box Office (Tuesday–Saturday, 12 p.m.–6 p.m.), or by calling Ticketmaster at 800.745.3000, and at all Ticketmaster outlets. Groups of 10 or more may be eligible for a 20% discount, subject to availability; call 323.850.2050 for further details or group sales. For general information or to request a brochure, call 323.850.2000.

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