Reggae legend Jimmy Cliff will kick off his U.S. tour at the Celebrate Brooklyn summertime concert series with a free concert at the Prospect Park Bandshell this coming Tuesday June 5th. Noted for classics like 'Sitting in Limbo' and 'You Can Get It If You Really Want,' Cliff is touring with Tim Armstrong of Rancid and a new backing band (featuring J. Bonner, Scott Abels (Aggrolites, Hepcat) and Dan Boer (Sandollars, Dynamic Pressure), behind his recently released EP 'Sacred Fire.' Cliff and his band played two inspired sets at the Coachella festival this past April.
Cliff is an inspired choice by the organizers, as 2012 marks the 50th anniversary of Jamaican independence and Cliff’s performance will pay tribute, not only to his origins, but to the large West Indian population that calls Brooklyn home. Cliff started recording as a child in the early 1960s with producer Leslie Kong. In the late 1960s, he moved to Britain where he enjoyed considerable success with the song 'Wonderful World, Beautiful People'. He became a massive star after starring in 'The Harder They Come', the 1972 low-budget movie based on the exploits of Ivanhoe 'Ryghin' Martin, a gunman who terrorized sections of west Kingston in 1948. The film's soundtrack contains songs that are Cliff standards, including the title track, and 'You Can Get It If You Really Want'.
New York's own Deadly Dragon Sound System will be spinning at an after party immediately following the show. Formed in Chicago over fifteen years ago as a way to share an appreciation of Jamaican music, Deadly Dragon Sound System has become a well-respected force in the reggae community nationwide. As collectors and curators of Jamaican music, their love is reflected in the diversity of their projects including a radio show and a Manhattan-based record store.
Before the free show, Celebrate Brooklyn's organizers will hold their annual fundraising gala, so if you've got $325 (or more) to burn, step right this way. (Proceeds go to fund the annual lineup of free events.) And for $50, you can get a season-long membership, which gets you a reserved seat up in front of the stage, and access to the after party.
Here is Cliff's full tour schedule:
June 5 Celebrate Brooklyn! Opening Night Gala & Concert Brooklyn, NY
June 7 9:30 Club Washington, DC
June 8 The Klein Memorial Auditorium Bridgeport, CT
June 9 Burlington Discover Jazz Festival, Waterfront Park Burlington, VT
June 10 Reggae In The Park Philadelphia, PA
June 12 Simon Estes Riverfront Amphitheare Des Moines, IA
June 13 Frederik Meijer Gardens Grand Rapids, MI
June 15 Crossroads KC Kansas City, MO
June 16 Minnesota Zoo Amphitheater Apple Valley, MN
June 17 Ravinia Highland Park, IL
June 19 Ogden Theatre Denver, CO
June 21 Hard Rock Hotel & Casino – Sound Waves Pool Stage Las Vegas, NV
June 22 Hollywood Park Inglewood, CA
June 23 Sierra Nevada World Music Festival Boonville, CA
June 24 Oregon Zoo Portland, OR
June 26 Red Butte Garden Amphitheatre Salt Lake City, UT
June 29 Summerfest Milwaukee, WI
Check out video of Cliff and his band performing at Coachella earlier this spring.
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