Aaron Dugan never saw himself as a reggae guitarist. In fact, he almost didn’t become a guitarist at all. At age 10 his father gave him a guitar for his birthday, which he ignored until age 13, when his family moved from Philadelphia to a house in the suburbs. The move to a new neighborhood prompted him to pick up the instrument again, and he began playing seriously. Encouraged by friends and family, he performed in a number of instrumental bands in high school before going on to study music at Bucks County Community College, and later, at the urging of one of his professors, The New School in New York City.
Dugan’s musical influences range from John Zorn and Albert Ayler to The Meters and Dinosaur Jr. For most of his time in college he played rock, funk, experimental music and free improvisation. Dugan only tried his hand at reggae when New School classmate Matisyahu invited him to perform at a Menorah lighting ceremony in New York. He was good enough that Matisyahu invited back to perform on his debut Shake Off The Dust... Arise (2004). Shortly thereafter, Dugan and friends Josh Werner and Jonah David coalesced to form Roots Tonic, Matisyahu’s band. Dugan’s exceptional guitar playing permeates 2005’s Live at Stubbs’s, especially those instantly recognizable first notes of the breakout hit King Without A Crown. His stylistic versatility is even more apparent on the album Youth (2006), in particular on the title track, which blends equal parts hard rock with reggae.
When not touring With Matisyahu, the Brooklyn resident keeps busy with several side projects: Astro-cusion, which he describes as a “space-rock experimental quartet,” Ducarriganigan, a folk duo comprising him and friend Amy Carrigan, and various other free improvisation gigs.
Although Dugan describes the last two years as “crazy,” he keeps a sense of perspective about it all, offering that “I consider myself lucky more than anything else- there are a lot of people who write music who are never heard.”
The first in his family born in America, Borahm's parents made their way from Korea and immigrated to New York City. He started the piano at the age of 7 under the watchful guidance
of his mother, amd opera singer. Classical training eventually gave way to jazz where Borahm found himself during his college years. After finishing his schooling, Botahm found himself
playing with several different groups, all across the musical spectrum. Drawing from reggae, jazz and electronic styles, his approach is versatile yet unique, enabling him to adapt to any situation.
He utilizes an array of keyboards and computers, specializing in textures and sound design. As much as he loves performing, it is not the only way that Borahm can shine.
When he's not on stage, you can find him in the studio, recording for different artists and working on his own compositions. Borahm Lee is a Premier Cru rescording artist and is currently working on his solo album.
Bronx native Daniel Sadownick earned a Master's Degree in Musical
Education at New York University, where he also studied composition. He
then went on to study privately with percussion masters Andrew Cyrille,
John Amira and the late, great Frankie Malabe. After graduating, Mr.
Sadownick toured with the Lionel Hampton Orchestra for two years. It
was here that Daniel made numerous contacts that would lead to tours
and recordings with jazz greats such as: Michael Brecker, Dennis
Chambers, Nicholas Payton, Christian McBride, Nat Adderley, Dianne
Reeves, Carl Allen, Nnenna Freelon, Dewey Redman and many others.
A versatile percussionist that does not limit himself to one genre,
Daniel has spent the last few years touring and recording with such
diverse artists as: Steely Dan, Jennifer Lopez, Billy Idol, Coheed and
Cambria, Tony, Toni Tone', Maxwell, Angie Stone, Me'shell Ndege'Ocello,
Daniel is also a member of the New York based cult band the Screaming
Headless Torsos.
Skoota Warner was born and raised in Newnan, Georgia
At the age of nine, his interest in playing drums led him to the church.
Gospel played a soulful foundation for "The Funk Drummer". By the age of eleven he was touring the south with various then up-and coming Gospel groups.
High School offered him another arena to sharpen and demonstrate his percussive finesse. He played at school social functions and local clubs.
Graduating from High School meant career path decisions. His decision was to go where musicians who wanted to make it went: New York City. And after a few short weeks in New York, Skoota was spotted playing with street break dancers by Pepeu Gomes and Baby Consuelo, Brazil's top Pop artists at that time. At age 18, Skoota left for Brazil with Pepeu and Baby where he lived for two years playing live rock shows and recording several albums with Pepeu and other top Brazilian artists.
Skoota returned to New York, at which time he landed consecutive gigs with the likes of such Blues greats as Johnny Copeland, Johnny Johnson, and the following year, Skoota joined the Apollo Theater's Amateur Night House Band with whom he backed such R & B, Funk, and Hip-Hop stars as Keith Sweat, Guy, and Big Daddy Kane. Skoota's impromptu rhythm breaks incited live on-stage jams with guest Hip-Hop artists like Kane, Biz Markie, Doug E. Fresh, Special Ed, Kwame and others, exposing them to the funky flavor that a live drummer brings to their Rap Stylings.
Nineteen eighty-nine hallmarked Skoota's ascending career when New York's premier studio drummer, Omar Hakim, chose him to be his drummer for the Rhythm Deep Project in support of Omar's solo recording. Omar said "Skoota nails it! He's a drummer's drummer."
Since '90, Skoota has had the opportunity to play with such established artists as Santana, B-52's, Lionel Ritchie, Cyndi Lauper, & Mary J Blige.
As you listen, you'll hear the strong influences of Hip-Hop and R & B. But sit back and listen further. You'll hear his Gospel. You'll hear his Rock, Pop and Funk. You'll hear his Blues. And you'll hear his life as "The Funky Drummer".
Music has been a part of Josh Werner’s life since the day he was born. His father was an accomplished timpani drum player, while his mother played piano and organ at their local church in Milwaukee. Following in his family’s musical footsteps, Werner began playing piano as a child. At age 21 he switched to the upright bass, which he studied both with his mentor, bass virtuoso Richard Davis, and at the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music. He counts The Police, The Smiths, Bob Marley, and Marvin Gaye among his early musical influences.
In 1997 Josh received a composition and performance scholarship to Mannes Jazz and Contemporary Music Program at the New School University in New York, where he earned his Bachelor of Arts in 2001. In 2004 he met Matisyahu, and has performed on all three of Matisyahu’s records: Shake Off The Dust... Arise (2004), Live at Stubb’s (2005), and Youth (2006). Werner has been one of Matisyahu’s principal writing partners, having co-written all but one of the tracks on Live at Stubbs’, and half the songs on Youth.
In addition to performing with drummer Jonah David and guitarist Aaron Dugan in Roots Tonic, Werner maintains his own band, the Royal Vagabonds, and has performed or recorded with Groove Collective, Luciano, Louque, Dr. Israel, Coco Rosie, The Jealous Girlfriends, Mark Rae, and Peter Buffett (who scored the film Dances With Wolves). The past 18 months have proved rewarding for Werner, who spends almost half the year on the road. Asked where he sees himself in 5 years, he responds simply, “happy.”
