Mateo Monk, Sol, and the DC Reggae Allstars October 15, 2010

Reggae Lovers- don't miss this incredible blend of DC heavyweight players! Mateo Monk and Sol with the DC Reggae Allstars (featuring members from See-I, Funk Ark, Iternals, and Arkives Outernational, and more)!

Mateo Monk is a gifted multi-instrumentalist, adept at many styles of world roots music. With twenty years of performing experience, his live shows are an exciting musical journey around the globe, exploring the rhythms of jazz, bossanova, reggae, Hindustani raga, bluegrass, soul and funk.

Mateo spent six years in Boulder CO leading an original reggae/soul fusion band called Natural Kingdom with some success. While opening for the legendary reggae band Culture, he was “discovered” by acclaimed reggae producer Georges Kouakou and proceeded to record his first solo release entitled “Guidance and Protection” at Lion and Fox Studios in Washington DC. Georges co-produced several of African reggae superstar Alpha Blondy’s groundbreaking records, including the “Jerusalem” album, and he has toured with many reggae greats including Culture, Burning Spear and the Wailers. While recording the record, Mateo also had the pleasure of working with Junior Marvin of Bob Marley and the Wailers. “Guidance and Protection” was picked up by the French record label Sankofa Blackstar and has received international airplay as well as frequent rotation on XM Radio in the US. In the fall of 2004, Mateo played a two week, multi-city tour throughout France with The Viceroys and Clinton Fearon of the Gladiators to promote the disc.

After the tour, Mateo decided to settle in the Washington DC area to take advantage of the new set of connections and opportunities that recording the album had brought about. Since being in DC, he has been a member of four bands, One Night Stand featuring Walter Tate on sax, THC featuring Dezzy Hyson of Culture and Mojanya, The Kleen Kut Reggae Band from Liberia, and currently, The Arkives Outernational. He has also done plenty of freelance gigs, working in the studio and onstage with various artists, including Alpha Blondy, Junior Marvin, Ruth A. Brown, and the Lenny Kurlou All-stars. He is currently recording an album with the Archives Outernational that is being produced by Eric Hilton of the Thievery Corporation to be released under ESL Record’s new ESL Dub-plate label.

Sol is a incredible guitarist, bassist, and vocalist who has toured the world with roots, blues, and funk legends and pioneers (including Taj Mahal) and works with members of Corey Harris band (also blending roots, blues, and reggae).

Mateo Monk (Alpha Blondy, Junior Marvin, Arkives Outernational) leads this DC Reggae Allstar group featuring Jeff Franca (See-I, Funk Ark, Iternals) on drums, Justin Parrott (Arkives, Zeebop, Capital Jazz Ensemble) on bass, and special guest Sol on vocals and guitar.

LA Bar presents a Friday Night Music Series showcasing the best in the Washington DC area musical talent. Every event is FREE ADMISSION.

www.mateomonkmusic.com
www.sol-roots.com