High - Positive - Energy
   From their home base in the island community of Cape Cod, MA, Shango Axe has been quickly gaining respect and a dedicated fan base in the New England area. The Shango Axe live show is a special event where friends and family come together to experience high-energy positive vibrations and have a good time. The band's mix of old school and high tech dub has been packing dance floors since 2001 with an eclectic blend of Roots Rock Reggae, Dub, Dance Hall and Calypso. Onstage, the band balances heartfelt renditions of familiar reggae favorites by classic artists like Bob Marley, Toots and the Maytals, and Peter Tosh, with powerful original tunes and intense dub instrumentals.

   Shango Axe has had the privilege of sharing the stage with such reggae greats as Yellowman, Beres Hammond, Luciano, Burning Spear, Sanchez, Sizzla, and Jimmy Cliff. With great respect for the tradition, each band member brings a high level of classical musicianship and deep creative energy to their instrument. The 3-way rhythm section is tight and heavy, with pulsing bass lines and syncopated madness that keeps the audience jumping.

     Shango Axe has been named 'Cape Cod's Best Reggae' several years in a row, and they have now moved into the national arena with the release of their first album in 2007. Completed by groundbreaking producer Joel Hamilton (Elvis Costello, Tom Waits, Dub Trio) the album has been crafted during the last few years, and this collection of 15 songs is only the beginning. Pick up the CD at a live show or online and tune into the positive vibration that this exceptional band is bringing to the masses, at a time the world needs it most.


Michael Gabriel: Steel Drums and Vocals
Shango Axe is honored to feature Michael Gabriel as lead vocalist and steel drum virtuoso. His energy, musicianship, songwriting prowess and all around good vibes make the band what it is. Hailing from the Caribbean island of Trinidad, he began playing steel drums at the age of eight. He started touring very young, performing classical music at Royal Albert Hall in London, and Carnegie Hall and Brooklyn Academy of Music in New York. He moved to the US and majored in Music Theory and Appreciation. His other band projects are Ambakyla and Jamm Down.

Zimma: Bass
At a young age, Sam Zimmerman grew up travelling between Jamaica and Cape Cod, and he's played bass since he was a child, winning an international award for chamber music performance in high school. He has worked and toured nationally with the band One Blood, and is a founding member of Shango Axe. Sam is an artist, and spends his downtime from the band painting. Go to OriginalNines.com for more.
George Smith: Keyboards and Vocals
George is a multi-instrumentalist, with classical piano, guitar, and violin training. His harmony, rhythms, and textures add depth and power to the music. George also plays with our friends Roots Down Below.
Jon Joly: Percussion and Vocals
Jon likes to fish, and he smiles easily. His extensive knowledge of traditional reggae beats is accented by his Latin rhythm training.
Tommy Lestrade: Guitar and Vocals
Tommy's guitar cuts through the mix to keep the dance floor jumping.
Brian: Trombone  
Corey: Sax  
Jeffrey: Trumpet