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Kamau Bashiri - keyboards/vocals Kamau is a student
of Jamaican music and culture for 4 decades, lists as his musical mentors Leroy Sibbles and Sugar Minott, in whose bands he
has played. He has also done touring with U-Roy, Sugar Minott and Tiger, while learning in jam sessions with the late Jackie
Mittoo. Kamau, a published poet, says "Reggae music is the art of life, the song of the living, the language of love and pride".
Ron Corey - guitar/vocal
Ron
is a long-time reggae veteran in Detroit. Self taught, he has worked with artists such as Sugar Minott, Sammy Dread, and Sister
Carol as well as Leroy Sibbles, U-Roy, Horace Andy, Admiral Bailey, Jose Wales and Frankie Paul. He is an award-winning musician,
as well as award-winning graphic designer/illustrator whose musical mentors include Earl 'Chinna' Smith and Eric 'Bingy Bunny'
Lamont. Ron's feel for the reggae sound stands strong and unique.
Keith Gamble - tenor sax Keith is a music teacher of renown, and band
director at the CherryHill school of Performing Arts in Inkster, Michigan. An accomplished musician with a jazz pedigree,
he has performed with such local artist as Marcus Belgrave and Carl Carlton. His credits include Detroit's Jazz Workshop
and Ypsilanti's Frog Island Jazz Festival. He played on WDIV's "Go 4 it" television campaign, and has performed with the Detroit
Wind Symphony.
Al Armstrong - Trumpet Al
has brought a wealth of expertise to the BASIKS. He honed
his skills during his formative days with Marcus Belgrave, Ernie Rogers and
Jimmy Wilkins. His career progressed as he performed with artists such as
Gladys Knight, the Temptations, Martha Reeves and the Vandellas and many more.
From big band jazz to contemporary R & B, Al has continued his musical
journey as evidenced by the cultural aptitude apparent in his skill as a reggae
artist.
Shirley Hayden - Vocals There seems to be no limit to the scope of the
talents of Shirley Hayden. From stage to screen she has made an indelible mark in the field of entertainment. Shirley burst
onto the music scene with Parlement, of the world-famous Funkadelic family. She has toured with Bootsy's Rubber Band and P-Funk,
while recording some of funk’s most memorable sounds ever. She has since gone on to work with Kid Rock, the Red Hot
Chili Peppers, local great Marcus Belgrave and so many more. She brought her wealth of talent and experience to the BASIKS
to pay homage to her cultural roots, bringing an energy and luminescence to the band which is irresistible.
Kamal Amen Ra
- Drums/Vocals
Kamaal’s earliest musical influences were his own family
members. From his Grandmother- a classically trained pianist, vocalist and dancer who performed with New York’s Katherine
Dunham Dance Company- to his parents. Both his parents attended the New England Conservatory of music and proceeded to professional
careers as performers and composers. Kamaal developed into a dynamic force out east before coming to Detroit and building
a substantial career with the Sabsabu Afrikan Dance Theatre and the legendary Ngoma Za Amen Ra New Afrikan Cultural Theatre.
He has performed with Brenda Holloway, William Weatherspoon, the Funk Brothers, Donald Byrd and the Blackbyrds, Harold McKinney,
Francisco Mora, Marcus Belgrave, and many others. He says “…I regard my musical gifts as a sacred vehicle for
preserving and passing on the rich legacy of traditional Afrikan cultural arts to future generations”.
Billy Noah - Bass
Billy has cultivated a career in music that includes sharing the gift of reggae music as both musician and DJ. He has performed
with such artists as Leroy Sibbles, Lady Saw, Admiral Bailey, Turbulence, Bushman, Percy Sledge, Denise Belfon and Calypso
Rose. His wisdom and vision have proven valuable since he signed on with the BASIKS.
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