If you remember their high-energy, audience-pleasing triumphant appearance last year at the Sheriff's Support Group Concert Series, you'll come back to Farnsworth Park on Saturday to welcome the Caribbean sounds of Upstream.
Welcome to the Upstream experience, please leave your inhibitions and other real world concerns at the door, we’re here to party! It’s been quite a wild ride for the members of Upstream, formed in the republic of Trinidad and Tobago in the late 1980’s and reformed in southern California in the early 1990’s, with six CD’s under their belt, and a very impressive live performance reference. Upstream has certainly earned the right to be called a seasoned musical outfit.
Upstream, whose members include two sons of the venerable inventor of Soca music, the late Ras Shorty I, was formed in the republic of Trinidad & Tobago in 1989. They relocated to Southern California in the early nineties and made a name for themselves performing in numerous venues, events and festivals, throughout California and Western States. Their energetic eclectic style of Reggae and Soca has earned them a formidable appellation in the music industry world
Band leader Haile Blackman (Lead Vocals, Guitar, Drums, Record Producer & MPC Guardian), will, without hesitation, readily explain that Upstream’s ultimate purpose is to take their audience on a journey, a temporary escape from themselves and a permanent escape from boredom. The band boasts a very seasoned and celebrated line up, John McKnight (Lead Guitar, Keyboards, Bass, Trombone & Background Vocals), Johnny Blackman (Drums & Background Vocals), Stokely Molineaux (Bass, Lead & Background Vocals) Derek Brewster (Steel Drum, Bass & Background Vocals), Adam Arredondo, a.k.a. Jah Mex (Keyboards & Background Vocals) and Einstein Brown (Steel Drum, Lead & Background Vocals).
Do you really want to party? Upstream invites you to come do the West Indian boogie, to their intriguing selection of exciting Reggae, Calypso, Soca and Steel Drum music. Come join the experience!
If you want to get a sense of what's ahead, we have this video from last year, after the jump:
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