FROM BACKING BAND TO FRONTLINER…THE NEW GUMTION ORDER
Gumption Reggae Band with a New Order
Gumtion, Jamaica’s award winning and Number One backing band is on the move with style and flair. Its giant step in transition from a reggae backing band to a frontline performing group is breathtaking to say the least. Gumtion is making this transition look like a natural progression as they embark on a new journey of interesting discoveries.
Formed in 1994 when five talented musicians and long time friends joined forces to complement each other with their unique talents and energies, Gumtion has created and sustained a distinctive and magnetic musical force. Throughout the years, Gumtion has given strong musical support to many artistes, not least among them the late Dennis Brown, Ken Boothe, Freddie McGregor, Barrington Levy, John Holt and Beres Hammond, whom the band toured with for over six years.
Gumption’s enviable reputation as a band that understands the need to continuously create new avenues of musical expression has resulted in the development of its own label -TUFF RIDDIM, with the stamping of its mark on music production with previous releases such as Israelites
Gumption received another boost with the joining of a young dynamic member, Junior Johnson aka ‘KAVAJAH’. Kavajah has known since childhood that he wanted to be a musician and has accepted in recent years that he must be a performer. From Cumberland, Clarendon, Kavajah, son of a high school music teacher and church organist has known and appreciated music all his life. He graduated naturally to the keyboard and played in Sabbath school as a youngster.
Meanwhile, band leader, Rolando “Phanso” Wilson did not mince his words when questioned on the motivation behind such an aggressive, yet timely move. “We have always had these ideas and goals and it just happens to be the right time in our development to move to another level”, he said. Co-band leader Dwight “Duke” Dawes added that “the time spent in the studio was remarkable for us as a group as it allowed us to find our unique voice and brought out subject areas that were important or meaningful to us. Additionally, we were all able to contribute vocally to the product for the first time.”
In spite of the challenges facing the music industry worldwide, Gumption Order seeks to put their years of experience to touring the globe with something new to offer. As such, look out for the new aggregation at a venue in your town which would include appearances by some of the reggae heavyweights with whom the band has played over the years to maximize the impact and value of this new reggae experience. You are assured of a value for your time and money. WATCH OUT!!!
