The band 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
The line up is as follows: Haile Blackman (Bandleader, Rhythm Guitar, MPC & Lead Vocals), began his professional career singing and playing drums in his Fathers band The Love Circle in his early adolescence. He has also been the drummer for the band Geggy Tah on Virgin Records. John McKnight (Keyboards, Guitar, Trombone, Bass, Backing Vocals) multi-instrumentalist -- has loaned his expertise to various famous artists such as: Etta James, Herb Alpert, English Beat, Ben Harper and most recently Fishbone. Einstein Brown (Steel Drums, Vocals) is extremely talented and proficient. He has performed with the Trinidad Steel Band, L.A. Desperados, and his own bands Caribe and Sapadilla. He has also appeared in numerous television shows, movies and commercials. Stokely Molineaux (Guitar, Bass, Vocals, Rapper) son of the renowned Jazz Pianist Othello Molineaux, is a profound poet and songwriter. He has toured the world with such acts as Pato Banton, Ras Michael, Joe Higgs, Wailing Souls, Calypso Rose and Eek-A-Mouse. Johnny Blackman (Drums, Backing Vocals) played for many years with The Love Circle before moving to Malaysia in the mid nineties to perform with two of his other brothers in a band called Abstract. He toured the entire continent of Asia as well as India before joining Upstream in 2000.
In addition, the following musician’s are on rotation with Upstream: Derek Brewster (Steel Drum, Bass & Vocals) & Adam Arredondo aka Jah Mex (Keyboards, Vocals). Upstream currently has six CD’s. “Upstream”, self titled was released in 1995, “Life” was released in 2000, “Jump To The Rhythm” in 2001, “To Da Maxx” and “Pick Up Yourself” in 2007 and “Here, There and Everywhere” in 2009.
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