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The Bio of the band
While the Passion Reggae Band may be a name that is new to the D.C. reggae scene, these musical soldiers have been creating and performing for more than two decades.
Formed in 2005 by vocalist/keyboardist Worrel “Kango” David and drummer Angus “Bunny” Belmar, this Calypso and Soca influenced band is rooted in experiences and realities of their West Indian and African backgrounds.
Belmar and David first began making music together in the popular Grenadian reggae band TR7 Plus. In the late ‘90s, they went on separate musical journeys only to come full circle as members of the award-winning band DKGB. During that stint, David won a WAMMIE (Washington Area Music Association) award for Reggae Singer of the Year (2002).
Along with David and Belmar, Passion Reggae is brought to life by members Patrick “Shaka” Thomas and Philipos “Littleman” Eshete.
Passion Reggae has opened for musical greats such as Bunny Wailer, Steele Pulse, Berris Hammond, Marcia Griffith, Anthony B., Freddie McGregor, and Alpha Blondy - just to name a few. The group has also performed extensively with Kango’s eldest brother Ajamu, one of the Caribbean’s top Calypso and Soca entertainers.
The Passion Reggae Band is a labor of love meant to be seen and heard with the intention of delivering the reggae message of unity to all ages, cultures, and ethnicities.
The band would like to thank their fans for the continued love and support they’ve been shown over the year’s respect.
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Bunny
Drummer Angus “Bunny” Belmar was born and raised on the island of Grenada.
As a teenager, Bunny spent much of his time listening to the sounds of reggae music. However, after hearing and loving the style of the one drop, Bunny was inspired to create sweet reggae music of his own. He accomplished this by building from scratch a drum set and teaching himself how to play drums.
Soon he began hanging around the local reggae group, TR7 Plus. When TR7’s drummer failed to show up for a gig, the band asked Bunny to fill in. It was from that chance moment that Bunny’s career as a musician began. Also during that time, he played drums for the popular Grenadian gospel group, Inspired Singers.
After arriving in the U.S. in the early ‘90s, Belmar quickly became known for his talent as a drummer. He continued to perform with many popular bands such as Midnite, Oasis, Image and the award-winning DKGB. He’s also shared the stage with big calypso and reggae artists like Ajamu, Steel Pulse, Nasio, Anthony B and Creative Force to name a few.
Belmar’s musical influences include Tony Williams, Drummie Zeb, Steve Nisbett,
and Carlton Barrett.
To their fans delight and a love and respect for reggae music, Angus “Bunny” Belmar and Worrel “Kango” David, two former members of TR7 Plus and DKGB collectively joined forces to create the Passion Reggae Band.
KANGO
Lead vocalist and keyboardist Worrel "Kango" David was introduced to music at an early age. In fact, it has always been in his blood.
Born and raised in Grenada, Kango is self-taught on the keyboards, but credits one of the Caribbean’s greatest entertainers with helping to guide his musical journey and teaching him his way around the guitar - his eldest brother Edson “Ajamu” Mitchell.
Kango’s career began in the late ‘80s with reggae soca band, TR7 Plus. Eventually, Kango left the island to tour the Caribbean and North America with the Heat Wave Band. That stint led him to a successful performing career on various cruise ships.
In 2001, he recorded his first CD Big Ship. Popular demand brought him back to the U.S. where in 2002 he received a WAMMIE award for Reggae Singer of the year while performing with the DKGB band.
Kango’s influences include Steel Pulse, Aswad, Bunny Wailer, Peter Tosh, Dube Naiso and Third World.
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PHILIPOS
Philipos Eshete has been playing bass for 15 years up and down the East Coast.
Completely self-taught, Philipos’ greatest influences have been roots reggae bassmen Fully Fullwood, Robbie Shakespeare and the legendary Aston “Family Man” Barrett, just to name a few. Studying their bass grooves and woodshedding their lines, sent Philipos on a journey that has led serious Jamaican musicians to believe he is straight out of Kingston. It’s not until after the show that they realize he’s from Ethiopia. There, as a boy, he discovered the music of Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, Steel Pulse, Third World, Black Uhuru, and many more roots reggae bands.
Although his forte is reggae, Philipos also plays his native Ethiopian music; and when he came to DC in 2003, he quickly got connected with the Ethiopian music scene playing at Dukem, Roha, Dynasty and other local venues. He has performed with famous Ethiopian singers Abonesh, Hana Shenkute, Abebe Teka, Hibist Tiruneh, Tsahaye Kassa, Alem Kebede, Maritu Leggse, Bezaworq, Ayalew Mesfen, Desaleghne Melku, Seteghne Atenaw, Teshager Yilma, among others.
These days, Philipos is focused full time on playing and touring with the #1 Reggae Band in the DC Metro Region: PASSION.
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SHAKA
Music has always come naturally for Patrick “Shaka” Thomas. He first began his career while in his last year of college as a pharmacy major in Grenada. He was recruited to play the trumpet for the band Harmonies with Brass. After a brief stay with them, he then moved on to play trumpet and lead guitar for Sunset 91- one of Grenada’s number one bands.
After reaching the U.S. in 1996, Thomas continued to perfect his musical talents playing with various rock and reggae bands along the East Coast.
While performing with another band, Thomas’ unique style of pulsating reggae rhythms caught the eye of Passion Reggae co-founder, Worrel “Kango” David. The chemistry was undeniable and he was soon part of the Passion Reggae family. |
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