Jumbalassy - Seattle, WA
By Pat Ferris

One of the marks of a truly great band is the bands ability to keep a crowd...not just for the night, but creating a perpetually growing fan base that lasts for years.

I think that few would challenge the claim that Jumbalassy has been the single dominating band in the Seattle reggae/world beat music arena for the last 14 years, and is still one of the most sought-after bands in the region.

Jumbalassy is a nine-piece band that plays a mix of reggae, soca, ska, and Calypso music, delighting audiences, and winning several coveted music awards including the NAMA (Northwest Area Music Association) awards for: Best World/Ethnic Band, and Best World/Ethnic Album for their debut 1991 release Jumbalassy,

With three studio CDs, one live CD and one EP already released, they are back in the studio putting the finishing touches on their latest release due this September or October. 

Jumbalassy co-founder and guitarist John Hendrow, works in the web development department for EMP (Seattle's interactive music museum).  Through a series of emails, I was able to  get John and another co-founder, Paul Turpin, on line for an interview.  

<HotBands> Hi guys!  Good to finally get you both online. I feel it’s always good to start at the beginning, so tell us how Jumbalassy got started.

<John> We started in 1985 under the name of Almighty Dread, but we found out there was another band in Jamaica with the same name, so in 1987 we changed the band name to Jumbalassy.

<Paul> John and I both came from Almighty Dread. I started as a trombone player, and then moved over to keyboard. We both have been with Jumbalassy since its inception.

<HotBands> How would you classify your music?

<John> World beat, reggae, soca, ska, and calypso music.

<Paul> Yes…a blend of world tropical dance music.

<HotBands> Have you toured much outside of the Northwest?

<John> We’ve traveled on a few West Coast tours, Hawaii, Jamaica, etc. It’s a real logistical nightmare when you’re traveling with eight guys, trying to get to the gigs and have everything run properly.

<HotBands> So you traveled to Jamaica with the whole band?

<Paul> The whole band. It was a blast but I suppose it would be easier with three or four band mates than with eight.

<HotBands> How many CDs have you currently released?

<John> Three studio CDs, one live album, and one EP.

<Paul> And one in the making as we speak. It should be released this autumn if we can keep to our desired schedule. We’re taking time off right now from touring and clubs to finish this CD.

<HotBands> I’m sure you’ve gone through a lot of changes over the last 14 years. Who is in the current band roster?

John Hendow - Guitar

<HotBands> Thirteen drummers! That sounds like Spinal Tap! It seems that bands tend to change drummers more than other members. Do some of the band members play in other bands, or are they exclusive to your project?

<Paul> We have some good jazz players in our band that do a lot of stuff with other bands. If you’re a professional musician, you play where you can. Right now, we’re recording our next CD so we aren’t going to be playing live again until September/October.

<HotBands> How do you see the internet changing your music or how your audience gets your music.

<Paul> Not much really as far as gigging goes. Most of the audience we get is from mailing lists.

<HotBands> I was referring more to the global audience you can reach. It seems that the internet levels the playing field for artists not affiliated with the major labels.

<John> It’s great that the internet opens up and brings the world together. It allows us to reach a much broader scope of people than ever before. Our website is undergoing a major overhaul that will be done in time for our upcoming release.

<HotBands> How about playing live? I think the internet allows people to ‘sample’ a band to decide if they are going to buy the CD or go out to see them live. This is what I mean by leveling the playing field. It benefits good bands and independent labels by allowing a wary consumer to be better educated on what is being offered at record stores.

<John> The problem is that we're all kind of fickle consumers and no one can predict what will sell tomorrow

<Paul> Sometimes the band is bad - but gets paid, so sometimes the opposite is true. You just keep doing it or you stop.

<HotBands> I guess so.

<John> The (music) industry is like a big lumbering dinosaur, trying to evolve and become agile, but in the bushes, the little mammals are scurrying around and winning... Little mammals=indie artists doing their thing

<HotBands> I think in the next 5-10 years, the Internet will be THE major way to see a band.

<Paul> It might, but I think you should be in the same room occasionally.

<John> Look at the way that some major artists have been doing that. Prince is distributing music via his fan club site (I am member) He's (Prince) got something like 500 unreleased songs that he's posting on the net for downloads. Peter Gabriel is doing the same.

<Paul> Yeah, and there is BowieNet too

<HotBands> Sometimes it's impossible to fly to England to see a concert if you live in Seattle or vice-versa, but the internet will be how people log on and find out where you're going to be playing.

<John> True, but I agree with Paul that there is something magical about being in the same place as the artist.

<HotBands> - As far as advertising goes, currently the main way to get the word out is still the newspaper or flyers.

<Paul> Direct mail is a wonderful thing (snail & email)

<John> Back in the 80s you could walk around Seattle with a stack of posters and a staple gun but not any more, so our mailing list has been our mainstay.

<Paul> I did that. Now it (postering)is illegal.

<HotBands> That's what I mean...email mailing lists are a lot more cost-effective than snail mail.

<John> You can't put up posters any more, but the net has been a much more efficient substitute, but the physical mailer is perceived as being more substantial (well, I guess it is)

<Paul> It seems people actually pay more attention to real mail schedules – at least so far we try both

<HotBands> Each of you have been serious musicians for a number of years. What advice do you have for up and coming artists worldwide?

<Paul> Get a romantic partner with a real job, who likes you enough to pay your rent. Record albums and sell them.

<John> Wow... lots... I would say PLAY LOTS OF GIGS. There is no substitute for playing live. It's where you hone your skills.

<Paul> I learned how to play my instrument onstage in front of fans it is the only way to go'

<John> Seriously, though for up-and-coming players…get all the stage time possible

<Paul> Play what you want and other people will like it too if they also like it the chances are higher that the public will.

<John> Absolutely! It really helps to ask other bands for help. the co-op nature of the net has created some amazing stuff. It’s about people helping each other out with a place to crash, someone to put up posters, etc.

<Paul> Music is about communication, so you must keep communicating with your fellow band mates and the audience through direct interaction

<John> Yes, Playing music is a dialog...a conversation.

<HotBands> Thanks for the interview, and I look forward to hearing your next CD and seeing you on the road again.

<John> Thanks.

<Paul> You're welcome, thank you!

For more information on this band, CLICK HERE

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