John Brown's Body
Bio
The torch has been relit! Featuring a group of long time JBB players, including founding members Kevin Kinsella, Tommy Benedetti, and Lee Hamilton, the undisputed OGs of the scene are fired up to hit the stage in 2024.
The group has been on sabbatical the past few years, taking a break from the road and studio. But family is always family, and in early 2023, with JBB still dormant, Kinsella reached out to Benedetti about getting together to play some of the classic era JBB music. The crew was assembled, featuring players from all different periods of JBB's history. After a handful of recent shows the embers were burning - the music was sounding better than ever and the time was right. So, with the support and blessing of Elliot Martin, the torch will be re-lit. The band will be doing select dates in 2024 under the name John Brown's Body, with founder Kevin Kinsella back at the helm. In addition to Kinsella, Benedetti and Hamilton, the group features Nate Edgar (bass, 2006-2016), Jon Pentronzio (keys, 2009-2018), and TJ Schaper (trombone, 2015-2018), who collectively have decades of service with JBB. Van Gordon Martin (guitar – Skatalites, G Love, and more) has been in the family over fifteen years and joins the group for the first time on stage.
With a long and storied career on the scene covering three decades and multiple lineup changes, JBB was formed in 1996 by Kevin Kinsella and released its seminal album “All Time”, which achieved near mythical status and is credited with being a cornerstone of the US reggae scene. As the original lead singer and songwriter for JBB, Kinsella is responsible for bringing a vast body of original music to the scene, and across the first five JBB releases. From its breakout release on Itown Records ‘All Time’, to multiple releases on Shanachie Records, JBB cemented itself as a successful touring and recording outfit with an original voice. In 2005, JBB joined forces with the legends Easy Star Records, which would begin a lasting and fruitful relationship spanning over ten years and seven releases.
Hailed as “Future roots, reggae, and dub with an intricately balanced weaving of vocals, percussion, keyboard, bass, guitar, and stunning horn section that ties it all together” (WRUV), John Brown’s Body has built “a legacy that has inspired and carved a path for the now thriving contemporary American reggae scene” (Rudeboy Reggae). Formed in Ithaca, New York, in the mid 1990s, at a time when there wasn’t yet a far-reaching U.S. reggae scene, JBB was one of a small handful of U.S. reggae bands that began touring nationally. Since then, JBB has played an important role in helping define distinctly “American reggae.” JBB’s music is steeped in traditional vibes, but unapologetically incorporates elements from other genres.
Their unique approach resonated with the masses. The group’s 2008 full-length record, Amplify, hit #1 on the Billboard Reggae Chart, 2012’s JBB In Dub EP reached #1 on iTunes’ Reggae Chart, and in 2013 Kings And Queens topped both Billboard and iTunes Reggae Charts at #1. On stage, JBB finds a home across a host of genres and has toured the world extensively, performing alongside: Slightly Stoopid, Dave Matthews, Burning Spear, Gym Class Heroes, SOJA, and many more.
The 2024 live show will feature music from the first 5 classic era JBB records and the band looks forward to presenting this music with a rejuvenated, electric vibe to the fans.