Rhythm Culture, an original and cover reggae band, has placed focus on developing our own signature sound driven by a reggae beat. For the past 20 years we've been compelling people to get up and move. Our core band consists of drums, bass, guitar and depending upon event and budget we often incorporate keyboards or steel drum, a trumpet or saxophone. Combining our individual influences of the Caribbean and the Americas, and using a roots reggae foundation, we infuse blues and jazz into our brand of Reggae music, guaranteed to get even the most reluctant of dancers out of their chairs.
We specialize in creating lively events, memorable to all who attend whether it be a wedding, a private party, a child's birthday, a music concert series, festival, college, workshop or school assembly. Our band plays our originals and your favorites through the decades applying our brand of reggae to the classics of the R&B, Rock, Jazz, or Blues playlists.
For weddings, we meet with the couple to identify those special songs and assist in suggesting music enhancements for the ceremony or reception and all special activities like first dance or father/daughter dance. We incorporate your favorite songs into our playlist for the event. If you want your guests to be on the dance floor all night long, whether that's a nice slow dance familiar with your more mature guests or a rocking calypso guaranteed to get everyone up and jumping with fun then Rhythm Culture is the right band for you! Honestly, everyone, all ages will enjoy this musical experience. Guaranteed!
For Birthday or other Private parties (as young as 3 and everyone else of a more mature age) we incorporate our interactive percussion set to mix up the fun. Out of our percussion suitcase comes clave sticks, shakers, tambourines, bells, drums and an assortment of unusual percussion instruments from around the world. Guests are invited to pick up an instrument and join the band. This is a great way to get everyone involved and 100% everyone loves this experience!
For School Assemblies and Parties we offer our Caribbean experience….Exploring Rhythms of the Caribbean Region. This interactive music program takes the audience, young people of all ages on an entertaining and educational journey through the music of the Caribbean Region. Tour Leaders for this Rhythmic journey are members of the Portland-based reggae band, Rhythm Culture. Collectively we bring decades of experience playing all genres of music for audiences of every age from the youth to the elders. We are experienced working with young people, both in the school setting as well as through various social service programs, private parties, workshops and private lessons.
During our musical tour, we invite the audience to put on their travel hats and jump on our cruise boat as we sail from island to island. We learn about the various types of music and rhythms that are part of the region as our cruise ship sails to the islands of Trinidad/Tobago, Cuba and Jamaica. Tour leaders describe various rhythms including Bosa Nova, Samba, Rock Steady, Socca, Rap, Folk, Reggae, Ska and Calypso and play songs representative of those rhythms. We also take a trip to "Carnival," an event celebrated throughout the region.
Interactive elements include Call and Response activities with voice and clapping. We explain the 3/2 Clave rhythm of the region and learn to clap and sing its elements. The audience members are the back-up singers. Members of the audience join the band by playing one of a variety of percussion instruments including hand drums, bells, shakers, and clave sticks.
This is a highly energetic and interactive program full of traditional songs and rhythms of the region, educational information about music and the traditions of people of the Caribbean. Everyone loves this program - students, teachers, parents, party hosts and event planners. We guarantee it!