For 31 years, the NYC-based and critically acclaimed Slackers have been touring the world with their blend of Ska, Reggae, and Soul.
Since 1991, the Slackers have released fifteen albums and countless singles, while their 1000s of live performances feed their fans with energetic sets of ecstatic music.

The press state that the Slackers are “the best ska band in the world” (Rude International), “the pick of the US crop” (Metal Hammer), “the sound of New York’ (New York Times), “is about as close to perfect as it gets” (Ink 19), and “one of the best bands in the United States” (axs.com).

In April 2022, The Slackers released a new album, “Don’t Let The Sunlight Fool Ya” (Pirates Press) which quickly shot to the top of the US billboard charts. This is the first time that a Slackers’ album has charted! Ironically after 30 years as a band, this qualified them as a Billboard ‘new artist.’ The Washington Post noted that the Slackers “remain at the top of their game.”

The chart topping performance of “Don’t Let The Sunlight Fool Ya” capped a 2 year comeback of the Slackers. When Covid stopped live shows in 2020, the Slackers pivoted to livestreams and made 5 full band concerts that were broadcast internationally. After the shows, they stayed in the studio and recorded the tunes that became Sunlight.

Returning to live gigging in the 2nd half of 2021, the band celebrated their 30th anniversary with 30 shows across the United States and Canada.

In 2022, the Slackers have 90 shows booked in the United States, Canada, UK, and Europe. At 31 years old, the band has been renewed and is looking to grow their cult following into its 4th decade.

The Prizefighters are back in action with a brand-new LP of the heaviest-hitting ska, rocksteady, and reggae in town. With a critical eye on the future and grooves that echo the Kingston dancehalls of the 1960s, Punch Up cements The Prizefighters as top contenders in the worldwide reggae game.

The Prizefighters have honed their reggae bona fides, having teamed up with heavy hitters of ’60s Jamaica, playing as the backing band for artists such as the “King of Ska” Derrick Morgan, legendary duet partners Stranger Cole & Patsy Todd and Roy Panton & Yvonne Harrison, and most notably harmonica player and vocalist Charlie Organaire, whose playing can be heard on hundreds of early Jamaican ska and rocksteady hits. The Prizefighters and Charlie Organaire released a trio of 45rpm singles on Jump Up! Records, and toured Europe together in support of Charlie Organaire Meets the Prizefighters.

Punch Up is The Prizefighters’ third full length LP released on Jump Up! Records, following 2010’s Follow My Sound and 2019’s Firewalk.

The Chicago Jamaican Jazz Ensemble is an 8 piece ensemble that plays music in the tradition and style of early Jamaican Studio One dance bands. Before reggae, there was the celebratory music of independence in Jamaica. Music made for dancing, music that was Jamaican Jazz!
Drawing on musicians from Chicago’s diverse jazz scene the music honors tradition and looks to the future of the style. Many of the featured musicians are staples in the Chicago scene and can be heard with/on Swing Gitan, Fox’s Empire Series, Jennifer Hudson, The Drastics, and the Glen Miller Orchestra to name a few.
This is a one of a kind group in Chicago, this is the next generation, and we’re going back to the roots!

DJ Chuck Wren has hosted the ska radio show “Everything Off-Beat” across the Chicago dial since 1989, currently airing Sundays at 9 PM on WLUW-FM 88.7. Since 1993, his label JUMP UP RECORDS ( www.jumpuprecords.com ) has released over 100 albums including ones by local faves Deal’s Gone Bad, The Drastics, and Green Room Rockers. His monthly night at Delialh’s is Chicago’s longest running ska/reggae night at 18 years, and when he spins you see piles of piles of original Jamaican 45s sprawled all over the place.