Black Uhuru

Tickets are $25 in advance, $30 day of show (including all service charges). They are also available by phone through Hold My Ticket at 505-886-1251. 21 and over.

Derrick "Duckie" Simpson, the "Gong Gong Gullie," is the founder and leader for reggae's Black Uhuru. Although going through numerous lead singers and musicians, they have remained to be one of the most recognized and prolific reggae band for over 50 years. 

The roots of Black Uhuru were formed in Kingston, Jamaica's Waterhouse district in the early 60s. Though considered to be one of Jamaica's toughest neighborhoods, it's home to several other reggae singers and musicians. It was where "Duckie" Simpson grew up and learned to sing from boyhood friends Winston "Pipe" Matthews and Lloyd "Bread" McDonald of Wailing Souls and Bob Marley. He recorded four tracks with Wailing Souls before forming his own group.

Black Uhuru's long success has allowed them to become ambassadors of reggae while earning several achievements in the music industry. With 14 full length albums, 7 instrumental dub albums, and 4 live albums, they have the highest record sales in reggae music behind Bob Marley. The album Red was voted #23 for Rolling Stone's list of 100 Greatest Albums of the 1980s. Aside from winning the first reggae Grammy, they have been nominated 5 more times. They are the only reggae group to have won the Diamond Awards of Excellence in 1994.

Despite all of Black Uhuru's change of different singers and musicians, the one thing that has always remained is Derrick "Duckie" Simpson. Much respect to a legendary figure for Reggae Music. In 2018, Black Uhuru released As The World Turns, featuring Duckie on lead. In December 2018 As The World Turns was nominated for a Grammy Award in the Best Reggae Album category.

Innastate is a contemporary reggae band from the high-desert of New Mexico. Based out of Santa Fe, the band has been together since the spring of 2014.

Innastate has gained momentous acclaim in their brief existence. The band's musical influences span many genres, creating a brand of reggae and rock that is modern yet honors their Indigenous heritage, musical roots and love of music. The music that Innastate creates reflects on the human experience; other themes concerning spirituality and environmental issues are often found within their songs. Innastate believes in the power of music to connect people.