Official Bio

Reggae artist Solomon Jabby (born Peyton Ritter), has been studying and perfecting his craft of classic dub and roots reggae for almost a decade. After recording numerous demos, Solomon released "Rootical Revelations" (2002), his critically acclaimed solo debut. This vintage sounding dub project literally changed the face of the gospel reggae scene. He later had songs featured on Lion of Zion's bestselling "Reggae Redemption Songs" and "To The King" compilations. In 2004 Solomon gained the attention of roots aficionados worldwide with the release of his revolutionary "Zion Gates" CD.

With two full-length dub albums already to his credit, Solomon has earned a reputation in the worldwide reggae community as a crafty producer and artist with two feet firmly planted in the roots tradition. On Solomon Jabby's third release, "Firmly Planted", he proves that traditional roots reggae production still has a place in the modern reggae soundscape.

"Firmly Planted", showcases the Florida native's excellent songwriting abilities in new and exciting ways. This, his first vocal album, pays homage to the golden days of Jamaican harmony groups with clear influences from such artists as The Wailing Souls, The Congos, and The Gladiators. Deep spiritual messages permeate the dense vocal harmonies, perfectly complementing Solomon's organic production techniques. Exceptional musicianship and superb arrangements make this album a full, well-rounded work.

Over the last few years Jabby has produced artists such as Christafari (Reggae Sunday School), Theo and the Burning Root Band (Soundsystem), Avion Blackman's multiple award-winning "Onyinye", as well as The Israelites soon to be released worship album.

With the release of "Firmly Planted", Solomon proves what a modern producer can achieve when he finds the balance between past and present. Solomon has successfully found a way to stay true to the 1970's reggae sound while simultaneously pushing the art of roots and dub to higher heights in this digital age.

In 2005 Solomon became a member of the legendary gospel reggae group Christafari. Solomon now plays guitar and percussion for the band and also plays bass for Avion Blackman. This has given Solomon an opportunity to see the world and perform in places throughout the US, Brazil and Argentina. With the launch of Christafari's latest album (featuring significant contributions by Solomon Jabby), the group has booked a rigorous 30-concert tour schedule featuring supporting performances by Solomon Jabby and Avion Blackman.

In 2007 they completed a summer tour which saw them perform in the United States, the UK, Sweden, Finland, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands and Denmark. They played in virtually every major festival including Notting Hill Carnival, Foundation Fest, Creation Fest, Greenbelt, Frizon, Gavle City Fest, Wildfire, Flevo Festival, Gouda Fest, Glow Fest and the Tara Festival.

The end of 2007 saw them return from their first major tour of Brazil, where they hit 8 major cities including Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, the islands of Sao Luis (Brazil's Reggae Capital) and Florianopolis. Following on from this tour, Christafari were invited back to Brazil in February 2008. They headlined the first ever Gospel Festival in Brasilia, Brazil, and performed in front of 80,000 fans! Soon after this, Christafari and Solomon Jabby went to Hawaii for a 5-island tour. Tours in Florida and Texas followed.

Christafari then returned to Europe for their most daring tour yet. They performed 35 shows in 15 countries spanning an incredible 45 days. They reached new countries such as Iceland, Latvia, performed at the biggest arts festival, Slot Fest, in Poland, went to both Slovakia (where they performed in front of a crowd of 8,000) and Hungry before heading to Spain.

The adventure did not stop there. After taking a break in September, the band embarked on a 21-day tour of Brazil. This is officially the longest ever tour by an international artist in Brazil. They performed 18 shows in 16 of the major cities in the country. They ended the year by performing at Camp Pendleton, USA for 300 marines who were going through bootcamp, what a perfect way to finish the year!

2009 promises to bring new adventures, challenges and countries. Christafari with Solomon Jabby are currently planning to visit the USA, Caribbean, South America, Asia, Europe and Africa. Plans are afoot and you can be part of this story.

Exclusive Interview with GospelReggae.com

GR: Tell us about yourself, where were you born and grow up, what your family is like, etc...

SJ: I was born in Tallahasse, Florida and lived there for most of my childhood.

GR: How did you begin doing music?

SJ: At around the ages of 7-10 I got my first drum set, in addition to a set of bongos, a ukulele, a toy Casio keyboard,
and a harmonica. I always was drawn to music. I had a box full of cassettes in my room of songs I would record off the
radio. I made my first "studio" recording at age 10 on a cheap Radio Shack tape recorder of my friend and I playing drums and guitar. In 6th grade I started playing trumpet and moved to saxophone in 7th grade. I went back to drums in 9th grade when I first started listening to reggae and picked up guitar and bass in 12th grade. In college I played drums in the university jazz band and congas in the Latin Ensemble. During my last few years in college I started getting into studio engineering and began to record myself playing different instruments. I would often spend hours and hours late into the night studying old reggae recordings and then trying to recapture the same sound in my studio. I think music was programmed into my circuit board by the Master Music Creator Himself.

GR: Tell me, how did your name come about? Any obstacles with it--funny mispronunciations, etc...?

SJ: I needed a name that fit my musical style and sound. I didn't want to crown myself like "King" or "Prince", (like my influences King Tubby and Prince Jammy), but just a name that would fit me as an artist. I don't remember exactly how it came about but the end result was Solomon Jabby "The Dub Revelator". The "Dub Revelator" part was influenced by the old African American spiritual "John The Revelator". A revelator is one who "reveals" so I wanted to be an artist who reveals and reflects Jesus Christ through music and life.

GR: What is the most valuable lesson that you learned from your Mom or Dad growing up that you still apply today?

SJ: To find something you love to do and then work hard at it.


GR: If you could share the stage with any Christian or secular artist in the world (living or dead)
who would it be?

SJ: I would like to spend a few hours in the studio with King Tubby.

GR: I know that you have written a whole heap of songs in the past, but what's your favorite one?
Now, If that is too hard for you to answer, then tell me this; if you spent 5 minutes with an avid reggae fan and only
had enough time to play them one of your songs, which one would you play them?

SJ: I don't know, maybe "A Way In The Wilderness".

GR: Is there any song that you wrote in the past that you are embarrassed about? Anything that you
wish you could make disappear?

SJ: There are a few of my first songs that I'll keep in my personal scrapbook.

GR: Read any good books lately?

SJ: "Wrestling With God" by Rick Diamond. "Blue Like Jazz" by Donald Miller.

GR: What's your favorite verse in the Bible and why?

SJ: Acts 2:21. I like this verse because we live in a complicated world, but our Father made the most important
thing in life simple and free.

GR: What Bible character do you most identify yourself with?

SJ: David. The man lived passionately for God but he also fell hard at times. He's a testament to God's grace and love.

GR: What do you have to say about (or to) artists that started off in the Christian industry (CBA) doing gospel music and now sing secular (mainstream) with a watered down, or ambiguous message?

SJ: I don't think it is fair to say since someone went from the Christian music industry to the mainstream that they are "backsliding" or somehow less Christ-like. I know this may bother some people but... I'm not sure if Jesus was walking the earth today that He would necessarily be a supporter of either one. We try to put God in a box so we feel more in control, but He is much bigger than the human efforts to try to define Him. This is precisely why the religious leaders of His day hated him. He refused to conform to the human definition of what and who He should be. So I don't automatically consider the Christian industry "good" and the mainstream "bad". They are what they are.

GR: As Christians, God is of course our true inspiration, but beyond the generic response of "Jesus,"
what are your muses in your life (for lack of a better word)? For example, what are the people, places, or things that
trigger a fresh musical idea and ultimately a new song for you?

SJ: Different things... I usually write in creative bursts instead of gradually. For instance, I won't write anything for 6 months and then write 15 songs in one month. I think that is because I have a serious one-track mind. I am usually extremely focused at what I am doing and do things in phases.

GR: What is your philosophy of stage ministry? Is there any one message that you always want to leave with your audience?

SJ: I don't really have one right now, I'm still learning.

GR: What are the three things you enjoy most about touring? And least?

SJ: Most, visiting new places and meeting new people. Least, living out of a suitcase and always on the move.

GR: What goes through your mind before you go onstage at the average show?

SJ: Father, if you don't flow through me out here, I won't flow at all.

GR: Do you prefer being in the studio or on the road??

SJ: Both, but I probably feel most creative in the studio.

GR: If you could whisper in the ears of youths aspiring to start a music ministry like yours,
what would you say?

SJ: Seek Ye First the Kingdom...

GR: Why do you do music? What is your primary goal?

SJ: Just to be the person God created me to be and glorify Him through my gifts and talents.

GR: Are you working on any future projects/releases that we should look out for?

SJ: I will begin recording my first album as a Lion Of Zion Entertainment artist very soon. It will also be my first full vocal album. After that I will release a "dub" version of the same project.

GR: Could you please give a message to the reggae fans that are reading this and would like to know more about your faith and who Jesus is to you?

SJ: Jesus is my Savior and Redeemer. Although I often fail, I'm trying to allow Him to transform me into something He can use. I have a heart for people who don't receive Christ because they think they have to receive church "culture" in order to receive Christ. We need to be involved in a church community but we should also allow people the freedom to be different and not have to conform to a particular social club in order to "be saved". I think our God is bigger than that and He loves diversity and creativity. Look upon creation and see the complexity of his handy work!

Ministry

"To be the person I was created to be. To glorify my Creator through the gifts and talents he has given me. To share Christ's love with the world through my music and life."

Discography

Solomon Jabby, Rootical Revalations, (2001)
Various Artists, Reggae Redemption Songs 2, Lion of Zion Ent. (2008)
Various Artists, Reggae Redemption Songs, Lion of Zion Ent. (2002)
Various Artists, Roots of Dub Funk 2, Tanty Records, UK (2002)
Various Artists, To The King, Lion of Zion Ent, (2003)
Solomon Jabby, Zion Gates, (2004)

		Solomon Jabby Firmly Planted				Solomon Jabby Zion Gates
		Solomon Jabby Rootical Revelations

Concerts

There are currently no upcoming events listed.

Contact / Booking:

For Booking Requests Please Contact:

POSITIVE MUSIC AGENCY
Kevin McIntyre (President)
USA: (512) 535-7642
UK: +44 (0)161-870-6651
BRAZIL: +55 62-3293-4477
Fax (toll-free): +1 866 802 4188
E-mail: Kevin@pmareggae.com
http://www.positivemusicagency.com
Positive Music Agency
1942 259th Place
Lomita, CA, 90717, USA

Official EMail:

info@solomonjabby.com

Official Website:

www.solomonjabby.com

Chat with this artist or their fans in the official Solomon Jabby forum

Photos