'First Family of Reggae' is the phrase often applied to the band that merges a unique sense of family tradition with irresistible rhythmic beats, creating music that's as provocative as the age in which we live. Richard "Jah"Ace, along with sons,., Franz, Ricardo,Craig &Richard Jr, make up the multi-talented family network that is Sons of Ace.
Richard " Jah" Ace, a native Jamaican, was raised on classical music, mento, blues ,and jazz. He began his career as a pianist &musical director producer at studio1 where Marley, Tosh, and Toots Hibberts started. pianist on Marley's song of freedom, burning, and catch a fire etc, produced Abbysinians satamasagana. he is also pianist on the skatalites recordings. such as ska authentic etc ,this album is a must have,the very best since bob marley experience the new sounds of roots rock reggae world
Before moving to the U.S. in 1981, band leader Ace was integral to building the budding world music scene, collaborating with many talented musicians through his work as music director and session musician at Jamaica's Studio One. At Studio One, he conducted sessions that launched the careers of Toots and the Maytals, Bob Marley, Jimmy Cliff and others and played guitar, organ and piano on the early recordings of those and other budding world music artists. Of the many reggae albums on which Ace played, the most famous is Bob Marley's Songs of Freedom album. With a music degree in classical theory from the Royal School of Music in London, Ace set an example for his sons that resulted in an immensely talented family of musicians.
In the band's early days, Sons of Ace toured with prominent reggae artists and played at famed venues, including the Reggae Sun Splash in Jamaica. After years of touring, Sons of Ace was asked by recording company Emerald Records to relocate to Philadelphia.
Ace and sons moved to the Philadelphia in 1981 and became a staple on the music scene almost immediately upon their arrival. During their early days, the band toured extensively with prominent reggae artists in the U.S. In the late 1990s, Sons of Ace took a hiatus from full time touring so that members could go to college and begin their own careers. Sons of Ace never stopped making music though, and now that the sons are all grown up, the band is poised to re-emerge on the reggae and world music scene, with their much anticipated albums Falasha, Let me introduce you to my world, Family and now the songs from In Her Shoes.
Most recently, Sons of Ace played in the Welcome America Festival, an offshoot of the Live8 Concert in Philadelphia, and the Philadelphia Eagles' annual season kick-off party at owner Jeffrey Lurie's personal residence.
They are also featured in the Cameron Diaz movie In Her Shoes, based on the best-selling novel by Jennifer Weiner, with three songs heard throughout the movie and on the film's soundtrack in addition to appearing in the wedding scene. Sons of Ace songs featured in the movie are "I Got You Babe"(a Sonny and Cher classic), "Is This Love?"Â(originally written and performed by Bob Marley) and Wagner's wedding march, which the band performs in the film's wedding scene. While the songs are not Sons of Ace originals, the band arranged them as the reggae ballads heard in the movie.
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