Alex Marley brings diversity, reggae and rock to Nashville on Feb 4.

by Dave Sharp on Jan 29^th, 2012

Creativity is far from at a premium in Nashville and the same applies to musical history and heritage. In fact, there are few other regions in the world that can compare to Nashville in those categories, which is why its fitting to have the musical guru, renaissance man and familial torchbearer Alex Marley come through Music City.

The multi-instrument aficionado, reggae-fusion practitioner, multi-sport athlete and cousin of the great Bob Marley plays a show at the Island Breeze Cafe in Madison on Feb. 4 with his Black Lion Band and support from the Sonar Fleece Band, Selector and Dom Electro.

Marley is a Rastafarian who’s fluent in Jamaican culture and music, which over the years he’s broadened to include other sounds and instruments (he plays seven and DJs). Although he came from a purely reggae/dance-hall background, his experience studying music at The Edna Manley College of Visual and Performing in Kingston and traveling the world surfing (he’s been a member of Jamaica’s national team) introduced him to different cultures and sounds.

Diversity is the essential component in Marley’s endeavors and its reflected in the makeup of his band, the Black Lion Band. Their keyboardist is from the USA, drummer is from Trinidad, bassist from Venezuela and Marley is from Jamaica. He says it makes it more natural to blend ideas and sounds.

“The band I’m playing with used to play rock,” Marley said. “They’re pros so they know how to play reggae as well. I bring the dance-hall and reggae and they bring the rock.”

All of that comes to a head in their live performance, which is highly improvisational and contrast Marley’s mellow side with this aggressive, energetic side.

“Expect multiple instruments, singing and DJ-ing. You’ll see two different art forms: singing is more slow and DJ-ing in much faster; my different moods are expressed through the music,” Marley said.

He says there’s a strong message behind his music including preserving world peace, humanity, sustainable living, humanitarian rights and free speech.

“I want [the audience] to walk away with a message of peace and love, hopefully feeling inspired that the love that I show them and they show me is one together to preserve this reggae music in its true form. [I want them to] remember that Bob Marley’s cousin came and shared this moment with them.”

Alex Marley and the Black Lion Band with Sonar Fleece Band, Selector and Dom Electro
Feb 4 at the Island Breeze Cafe (936 Gallatin Pike in Madison)
Two performances: 8:30pm  and 11:30pm
Tickets: $20 (call 615-750-2656 or 615-587-9739 to order)

Watch Alex Marley and the Black Lion Band’s music video for “Lovely Woman”