Gizzae

roots · rock · blues

Gizzae is a Chicago reggae band formed in the early 1990s and led by Dominica-born vocalist and bassist Brian "Rocket" Rock, who also bills the group as Rocket & Gizzae. Rock grew up in Roseau, Dominica, was performing publicly by the age of twelve and became lead vocalist of the Dominican group the Swinging Stars before moving to New York, where he co-founded Moja Nya and worked as a session musician. Gizzae took shape in 1992 out of the breakup of Dallol, the band that backed Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers on the Grammy-winning albums Conscious Party and One Bright Day; of the several acts that came out of that lineage, Gizzae is the one still working. The group's founders were also among the owners of the Wild Hare, the Wrigleyville reggae club Gizzae was long identified with, and the band has played the Chicago and Midwest circuit for more than three decades. The current lineup pairs Rock, who writes most of the original material, with Isaiah Rock on keys and vocals, Josue Soundtrack on keys, Martindale Olive on guitar, Frankie Parker on trombone and percussion, and Mello Francis on drums, with guest players rotating through the year. Former members include original drummer Ruphael Woldemariam, who now plays with Teddy Afro and Ziggy Marley. The repertoire mixes roots reggae standards with Rock's own songs, collected on releases including Roots Like a Lion, and the band has opened for acts such as Third World, Toots and the Maytals and Burning Spear. Gizzae travels with its own sound system and works festivals, clubs and private events alike; bookings have included the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago's Tuesdays on the Terrace series and the 2026 season at Levitt at the Falls in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

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Upcoming shows in Nebraska

Where they play in Nebraska

Upcoming shows in South Dakota

Where they play in South Dakota