Artist Name: Solomon Jabby
Birth Name: Peyton Ritter
Birth Place and Date: Tallahassee, Fl, June 29th, 1974
Official Bio
Once upon a time, on a small Caribbean island far, far away, producers and engineers dared to stretch the limits of reggae music. It was an era when there were no rules, no formulas, and no corporate deadlines--just musical creativity in its purest form. Like the dub pioneers before him, on his recordings, Solomon Jabby has embarked on his own journey into the realm of free musical expression, inspired by his love of the genre and his relationship with Jesus Christ.
His music features organic roots, classic riddims, and massive dub mix-downs reminiscent of the original dub masters like King Tubby, Lee Perry, and Scientist. His latest release "Zion Gates," was inspired by Psalm 24:7, a verse that embodies Jabby's vision for the project: "Open up ancient gates, open up ancient doors, and let the King of Glory enter.” This album simply sounds like it came from a different era--the golden age of dub.
Recorded at his "Altar of Sounds" studio in Georgia, Jabby used analog equipment like tube powered pre-amps, spring reverb units, tape echoes, reel to reel decks and analog phasers to record, mix and produce this work of art. Solomon believes that using this old equipment gives his album an authentic feel similar to that of King Tubby and Bunny Lee. This is a sound that modern digital dubs simply cannot capture. In 2005 Solomon was nominated for three UGI awards (Album of the Year, Artist of the Year and Producer of the Year) for his "Zion Gates" release. In 2004 he was nominated for a Marlin Award for his song "Way in the Wilderness".
Following the release of his latest album, Solomon (aka "The Dub Revelator") left Atlanta, GA for sunny Southern California to join Christafari and work at gospelreggae.com. He is currently touring the world (playing percussion and guitar) with the Christafari and the band also backs him for a few of his originals. He has teamed up with award winning producer Mark Mohr and is preparing for his next release, his first production for Lion of Zion Entertainment.
Solomon Jabby is a multi talented artist with a surprisingly fresh and authentic sound, similar to dub masters like King Tubby, Prince Jammy and Augustus Pablo. But in addition to writing and producing, he also plays every instrument on his recordings (including live drums, bass, guitar, keys, organ, percussion, melodica, sax, knobs and delays). His style and reggae technique reveals an in-depth knowledge of the art of creating music. And his lyrics and song titles show his heart for the Lord and desire to be a true "Dub Revelator"--one who relays God's Word in a relevant way to the world through dub reggae.
Exclusive Interview with GospelReggae.com
GR: Tell us about yourself, where were you born and grow up, what your family is like, etc...
SJ: I was born in Tallahasse, Florida and lived there for most of my childhood.
GR: How did you begin doing music?
SJ: At around the ages of 7-10 I got my first drum set, in addition to a set of bongos, a ukulele, a toy Casio keyboard,
and a harmonica. I always was drawn to music. I had a box full of cassettes in my room of songs I would record off the
radio. I made my first "studio" recording at age 10 on a cheap Radio Shack tape recorder of my friend and I playing drums and guitar. In 6th grade I started playing trumpet and moved to saxophone in 7th grade. I went back to drums in 9th grade when I first started listening to reggae and picked up guitar and bass in 12th grade. In college I played drums in the university jazz band and congas in the Latin Ensemble. During my last few years in college I started getting into studio engineering and began to record myself playing different instruments. I would often spend hours and hours late into the night studying old reggae recordings and then trying to recapture the same sound in my studio. I think music was programmed into my circuit board by the Master Music Creator Himself.
GR: Tell me, how did your name come about? Any obstacles with it--funny mispronunciations, etc...?
SJ: I needed a name that fit my musical style and sound. I didn't want to crown myself like "King" or "Prince", (like my influences King Tubby and Prince Jammy), but just a name that would fit me as an artist. I don't remember exactly how it came about but the end result was Solomon Jabby "The Dub Revelator". The "Dub Revelator" part was influenced by the old African American spiritual "John The Revelator". A revelator is one who "reveals" so I wanted to be an artist who reveals and reflects Jesus Christ through music and life.
GR: What is the most valuable lesson that you learned from your Mom or Dad growing up that you still apply today?
SJ: To find something you love to do and then work hard at it.
GR: If you could share the stage with any Christian or secular artist in the world (living or dead)
who would it be?
SJ: I would like to spend a few hours in the studio with King Tubby.
GR: I know that you have written a whole heap of songs in the past, but what's your favorite one?
Now, If that is too hard for you to answer, then tell me this; if you spent 5 minutes with an avid reggae fan and only
had enough time to play them one of your songs, which one would you play them?
SJ: I don't know, maybe "A Way In The Wilderness".
GR: Is there any song that you wrote in the past that you are embarrassed about? Anything that you
wish you could make disappear?
SJ: There are a few of my first songs that I'll keep in my personal scrapbook.
GR: Read any good books lately?
SJ: "Wrestling With God" by Rick Diamond. "Blue Like Jazz" by Donald Miller.
GR: What's your favorite verse in the Bible and why?
SJ: Acts 2:21. I like this verse because we live in a complicated world, but our Father made the most important
thing in life simple and free.
GR: What Bible character do you most identify yourself with?
SJ: David. The man lived passionately for God but he also fell hard at times. He's a testament to God's grace and love.
GR: What do you have to say about (or to) artists that started off in the Christian industry (CBA) doing gospel music and now sing secular (mainstream) with a watered down, or ambiguous message?
SJ: I don't think it is fair to say since someone went from the Christian music industry to the mainstream that they are "backsliding" or somehow less Christ-like. I know this may bother some people but... I'm not sure if Jesus was walking the earth today that He would necessarily be a supporter of either one. We try to put God in a box so we feel more in control, but He is much bigger than the human efforts to try to define Him. This is precisely why the religious leaders of His day hated him. He refused to conform to the human definition of what and who He should be. So I don't automatically consider the Christian industry "good" and the mainstream "bad". They are what they are.
GR: As Christians, God is of course our true inspiration, but beyond the generic response of "Jesus,"
what are your muses in your life (for lack of a better word)? For example, what are the people, places, or things that
trigger a fresh musical idea and ultimately a new song for you?
SJ: Different things... I usually write in creative bursts instead of gradually. For instance, I won't write anything for 6 months and then write 15 songs in one month. I think that is because I have a serious one-track mind. I am usually extremely focused at what I am doing and do things in phases.
GR: What is your philosophy of stage ministry? Is there any one message that you always want to leave with your audience?
SJ: I don't really have one right now, I'm still learning.
GR: What are the three things you enjoy most about touring? And least?
SJ: Most, visiting new places and meeting new people. Least, living out of a suitcase and always on the move.
GR: What goes through your mind before you go onstage at the average show?
SJ: Father, if you don't flow through me out here, I won't flow at all.
GR: Do you prefer being in the studio or on the road??
SJ: Both, but I probably feel most creative in the studio.
GR: If you could whisper in the ears of youths aspiring to start a music ministry like yours,
what would you say?
SJ: Seek Ye First the Kingdom...
GR: Why do you do music? What is your primary goal?
SJ: Just to be the person God created me to be and glorify Him through my gifts and talents.
GR: Are you working on any future projects/releases that we should look out for?
SJ: I will begin recording my first album as a Lion Of Zion Entertainment artist very soon. It will also be my first full vocal album. After that I will release a "dub" version of the same project.
GR: Could you please give a message to the reggae fans that are reading this and would like to know more about your faith and who Jesus is to you?
SJ: Jesus is my Savior and Redeemer. Although I often fail, I'm trying to allow Him to transform me into something He can use. I have a heart for people who don't receive Christ because they think they have to receive church "culture" in order to receive Christ. We need to be involved in a church community but we should also allow people the freedom to be different and not have to conform to a particular social club in order to "be saved". I think our God is bigger than that and He loves diversity and creativity. Look upon creation and see the complexity of his handy work!
Ministry
"To be the person I was created to be. To glorify my Creator through the gifts and talents he has given me. To share Christ's love with the world through my music and life."
Discography
Solomon Jabby, Rootical Revalations, (2001)
Various Artists, Reggae Redemption Songs, Lion of Zion Ent. (2002)
Various Artists, Roots of Dub Funk 2, Tanty Records, UK (2002)
Various Artists, To The King, Lion of Zion Ent, (2003)
Solomon Jabby, Zion Gates, (2004)
Concerts
There are currently no upcoming events listed.
Contact / Booking:
For Booking Requests Please Contact:
POSITIVE MUSIC AGENCY
Kevin McIntyre (President)
USA: (512) 535-7642
UK: +44 (0)161-870-6651
BRAZIL: +55 62-3293-4477
Fax (toll-free): +1 866 802 4188
E-mail: Kevin@pmareggae.com
http://www.positivemusicagency.com
Positive Music Agency
1942 259th Place
Lomita, CA, 90717, USA
Official EMail:
info@solomonjabby.com
Official Website:
www.solomonjabby.com
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