Music Style Reggae

Musical Influences Bob Marley, Steel Pulse, Toots and the Maytals

Artist History Since its creation in 1990, the Baltimore-based Unity Reggae Band has been pleasing listeners with its unique, roots-based reggae music. Now an accomplished musical unit, Unity prides itself on its versatility. From the very beginning, the band originally known as Natty Skank, has been a melting pot of various musical influences. Each member brings their own unique musical perspective which, when brought together under the umbrella of Reggae, creates a musical style that is unique but true to the roots-reggae style of music. With over a decade of live performance experience as a group, Unity knows how to please a crowd. Having amassed a huge repertoire of original reggae as well as covers, no two shows are ever the same. Veterans of three U.S. tours, Unity has shared its message of positivity to thousands of happy music lovers of all ages in clubs, at festivals, colleges, and charity events. Unity released their second CD in 2000, entitled Slow Down. But their appetite for writing music is continuing as they are already in the studio recording a third CD. Unity's performance highlights include sharing the stage with THE WAILERS, YELLOWMAN, BURNING SPEAR, GREGORY ISAACS, EEK-A-MOUSE, and MUTABARUKA. With their ever-refining musical style and their air of positivity and peace, the future of Unity couldn't look brighter.

Group Members Mark Leary - Drums, Vocals Mark Leary is a master drummer who began his musical career as a youth in the drum and bugle corps. He has played every instrument in the Unity lineup, and his passion and energy for the music remains as fresh today as it was almost seven years ago when he founded Unity. Mark has played classical music, Jazz, R&B, Rock and Go-Go. Under his direction, Unity has toured the U.S., growing and developing along the way. Meredith Leary - Vocals, Keyboard Sister Merf joined Unity at it's formation in 1991. She shares background vocals with Heather, and lends flavor to Unity 's authentic Reggae rhythms on the Keyboards. Her husband, group founder Mark Leary, first encouraged her to plays keys, and is among her strongest musical influences. Other artists who inspire Sister Merf include Bob Marley & The Wailers, Lucky Dube and Peter Tosh. David Saunier - Saxophone, Keyboard, Vocals David Saunier plays Saxophone and Keyboards for Unity. He is also an original member, coming to Unity from an extensive background in Baltimore and New York's Jazz music scenes, where he played and studied with Carl Grubbs, Chico Hamilton, Reggie Workman, Jimmy Cobb and others. His influences include such greats as Bob Marley, John Coltrane, Sonny Rollins, Miles Davis, and Stevie Wonder. David's goal as a musician is to create an environment of love and positivity for all to share. Kevin Basiliko Kevin Basiliko is Unity 's smooth "Jawaiian" Saxophonist, a native of Hawaii with an innate sense for the music of Jamaica. He began playing music at the age of 12, and is equally comfortable on Alto, Soprano, and Tenor sax. Kevin has played everything from R&B to Contemporary Christian music, Jazz Fusion, and Motown. He says Reggae gives him the strongest feelings of any music he has played, and he is committed to his love for performing Reggae music. Teresa Jones - Bass Dennis Silver - Guitar

Instruments Drums, Bass, Guitar, 2 Keyboards, 2 Saxophones, Percussion

Albums Nation Time, 1995; Slow Down, 2000

Location Columbia, MD - USA

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