Taj Weekes and Adowa

Taj Weekes’ music is more than just entertainment. The St Lucian roots reggae artist’s music stirs thought, provokes discussion and inspires people to think for themselves, free from the constraints of the corporate media. On his beautiful  album Deidem, released on his independent label, Jatta Records, Weekes sings assuredly and soulfully for the voiceless and the oppressed, taking his music to a new level of commitment and universal appeal.

Born and raised on the island of St. Lucia, Weekes grew up the youngest of ten children in a family where music was always present. By age five, Taj was singing in church and by eleven he was composing his own calypso music. His older brother’s immersion in Rastafari provided Taj with a spiritual awakening and a context for his burgeoning worldview.

In his late teens, Taj left home for North America to fulfill his musical ambitions. After a stint in Toronto, Weekes came to New York and formed Taj Weekes & Adowa. In 2005, they released their first album, Hope & Doubt, winning extensive radio play, rave reviews in the press and provided Taj with a platform to begin touring, through which he began building an extensive following in New England and on the West Coast.

After completing touring behind Hope & Doubt, Weekes began to write for his next album. During that time, within the span of a year, both of his parents died and the new songs were reflecting the sorrow of the time. "I was wallowing in my grief," Weekes explains, "and I wrote a song called Clay Dust To Dust, which was incredibly depressing. But it was then that I realized that it’s not about me. Sure, I lost two people, but there are millions of people dying every day. So right then I scrapped all the songs I had and wrote 12 new ones. I wrote about the world instead of myself."

Working quickly and with the confidence that came from his recording and performing experience, Weekes has now emerged with Deidem (meaning "All Of Us"), a meditation on confronting the fragmentation of the world and the search to give everyone a voice in it. Weekes explains, "Whether it’s Darfur, the Middle East, global warming…there’s something going on in every part of the world and we’re trying to bring it all together on one album. No one is talking to each other; the album is designed to create conversation where people can come together."

From every corner of the planet, people are responding to the authenticity of Taj Weekes’ spirit, heart and commitment to a world where people can communicate with one another to solve issues non-violently. Taj’s commitment to such a world is backed up by his non-profit organization, They Often Cry Outreach, dedicated to improving the lives of disadvantaged children around the world via music, soccer programs and more. In conjunction with LIFEbeat, TOCO is helping to raise awareness of HIV/AIDS in Caribbean communities.

Following Hurricane Katrina, Weekes penned songs of hope, strength, and
triumph in memory of those affected by the tragedy for his upcoming
album A Waterlogged Soul Kitchen, due out in 2010. A portion of the proceeds will be distributed by TOCO to a children’s charity in New Orleans.

• Just Plain Folks Music Awards - DEIDEM winner of Best Reggae Album Award
  
• Grammy Awards - DEIDEM shortlisted for consideration of 2008 Best Reggae Album nomination
  
• Billboard Magazine - DEIDEM listed as one of "Six Essential Albums Heralding Roots Rock's Resurgence"

Tickets are on sale now from the Cedar Ticketline (612-338-2674 ext 2), Cedar outlets, and online at Ticketweb.