The Band

Dex Daley’s musical sojourn began as a child in suburban Kingston, Jamaica, where he studied classical piano under the tutelage of instructors from the Associated Board of the Royal Academy of Music in London. 

After mastering three grades of study with the Board, Dex became a part of the evolution of the fledgling Rhythms of Reggae music, the Beat and sound that has made Jamaica famous around the world. By age fifteen he was playing keyboards and singing in local Bands in Kingston, and had the opportunity at age seventeen to perform in bands for then rising Reggae Star Bob Marley and the Wailers. 

The road to New Orleans where Dex now resides has been colored with decades of experience, performing on tours in Asia and Europe with some of the nineteen eighties’ best reggae artists, (Frankie Paul, Shinehead etc.)and as opening Acts for R&B icons Chaka Khan and Luther Vandross. 

Much of his experience though was molded on the streets of New York City, where he honed his skills as an R&B and Caribbean keyboard player and songwriter, and where he learned to play the Steel Drum from the world’s best Steel Pan Players.

A yearning to compose and perform his own original material led Dex in 1989 to create and manage the JAM-X Band. 

JAM-X was one of the best-known Reggae-Caribbean groups playing the Long Island New York Hamptons and New Jersey Shore summer circuit between 1995 and 2001 and by 2005 was providing Caribbean entertainment for clients like President Bill Clinton and Jerry Seinfeld. 

Dex Daley has also performed with Jimmy Cliff in NY, as keyboardist and Steel Drummer for JAM-X Band. 

However, after numerous visits to New Orleans, including the 2011 Jazz fest and 2012 Mardi Gras, the city’s magical cultural, musical and culinary allure, and was finally more than Dex could resist. 

The similarity of New Orleans’ friendly disposition to his native Jamaica was unmistakable.

In late 2012 Dex packed up his keyboard and Steel Pan, relocated his music base to New Orleans, and immediately wrote two songs (Told Ya and Zulu Parade) about the experience. 

The New Orleans music community warmly welcomed the fusion of the Reggae & Steel Drum sound with the traditional New Orleans Jazz and blues style. Noted musicians Delfeayo Marsalis and Kermit Ruffins invited Dex to join them on stage during their performances. 

Dex performed regularly at ‘Prime Example Jazz Club’, ‘Reggae Nights at ‘The Lighthouse at Pontchartrain Landing’ in New Orleans East and ‘Bourbon Heat Club’ in the heart of the French Quarter. Dex can also be heard performing on Kermit Ruffins’ latest Album.

Dex Daley & JAM-X appeared at the 2014 Bayou Boogaloo Festival, the 2016 French Quarter Festival, and recently on New Orleans WWL-TV Morning Show celebrating Bob Marley’s Birthday in Feb, 2019. 

Brian “Rocket” Rock is the powerhouse lead singer and bassist for the internationally acclaimed reggae band Gizzae, known for his rare ability to combine rich, soulful vocals with deep, rhythmic bass playing—a unique skill in the world of reggae. Born and raised on the lush Caribbean island of Dominica, Rocket grew up in a musical family where instruments and harmonies were part of daily life.

By age 12, Rocket was already performing live as a singer and bass player. He began his musical career in his brother’s group, Wooden Stool, before stepping up as lead vocalist for Dominica’s legendary band The Swinging Stars, a cornerstone of the island’s music scene.

His talent eventually took him to New York City, where he co-founded Moja Nya, one of the most influential reggae bands in the city during the ’80s and ‘90s. At the same time, Rocket became an in-demand session musician, playing bass on Bruce Springsteen’s iconic Born in the U.S.A. album, contributing to The Rolling Stones’ track “Too Much Blood,” and recording with Carly Simon—a testament to his versatility and world-class musicianship.

Later relocating to Chicago, Rocket joined the Ethiopian-rooted reggae band Gizzae, first as a bassist and then stepping into the spotlight as the group’s lead singer and frontman. His deep connection to roots reggae, combined with a commanding stage presence and lyrical consciousness, makes every Gizzae performance an unforgettable experience. His simultaneous singing and bass playing—an uncommon and highly skilled feat in reggae—adds another layer of authenticity and power to the band’s sound.

Brian “Rocket” Rock’s journey is a rich tapestry of Caribbean heritage, global musical collaborations, and unwavering dedication to spreading messages of unity, love, and resistance. From Dominica to NYC, from Springsteen to Gizzae, Rocket remains a true force in modern reggae.

Larry Marsden, Trinidad born and NYC bred journeyman lead guitarist, lead singer and rapper joined the JAM-X Band in its early years of development, cutting his musical teeth in Brooklyn NY’s Soca, Reggae and R&B late night Club circuit, where he honed his musical skills learning the various nuances in the diverse Caribbean musical diaspora. 

He is the quintessential musician’s musician who can play any style, and has traveled the world performing with famed Soca singer ‘Arrow’ in Africa and Europe.

Born in Alaska and raised in Western Massachusetts, Ethan has chosen San Francisco, New York, and New Orleans as his adopted homes. 

After earning a B.A. in Economics from The College of the Holy Cross, he relocated to California and immediately began work in Silicon Valley’s then explosive software business.

After a short but successful career in the corporate world, Ethan began the pursuit of his musical passion and studied performance at NYC’s esteemed ‘The Collective’, ultimately earning certificates in both parts A and B programs.

Living in Brooklyn, Ethan performed, recorded, and toured with a wide variety of acts in many styles including jazz, hip-hop, singer/songwriter, afro-latin soul, broadway/theater, jam band, and Nola style brass band.

Since arriving in New Orleans in 2009, Ethan has found much fulfilment and enrichment applying his talents and experience to original projects in the community.  He currently can be found drumming, singing, and touring with Marchfourth (Portland, OR), Sam Price & The True Believers, The Dana Abbott Band, Jamey St Pierre and The Honey Creepers, St Roch Brass Band, and of course Dex Daley & Jam X.

Some of his favorite performances have been at venues including Jazz Fest, Oregon Country Fair, French Quarter Fest, Jam Cruise, Burning Man, Meow Wolf, and The Super Bowl.

Michelle Shorter is a New Orleans–based multi-instrumentalist and improviser whose sound bridges jazz tradition, street-band energy, and modern groove-driven performance. Specializing in alto, tenor, and baritone saxophones, as well as flute and violin, she has built a career defined by versatility, deep musical awareness, and an instinct for connecting with audiences in both concert and celebratory environments.

Originally from Portland, Oregon, Michelle began her musical foundation studying jazz and improvisation in the Pacific Northwest before relocating to New Orleans, where she has spent the past decade and a half immersed in the city’s musical culture and collaborative traditions. That experience, more than any single setting, shapes her approach: responsive, rhythmic, and rooted in ensemble communication.

Michelle has performed internationally, including appearances on Jam Cruise, and has spent 15 years as a horn player with the internationally touring spectacle-funk ensemble MarchFourth, performing on alto saxophone, baritone saxophone, and flute across festivals, theaters, and large-scale productions around the world.

In New Orleans she performs across multiple projects that highlight her stylistic range. With the Phunky Monkeys she plays tenor and baritone saxophone, flute, and fiddle, recently appearing at the Shark Tank Summit in Las Vegas. She also performs on baritone saxophone with the New Orleans Rock ‘N’ Roll outfit Popp Corn, bringing a powerful low-horn presence to the band’s saxophone driven sound.

Whether anchoring a horn section, improvising in a jazz setting, or energizing a festival crowd, Michelle Shorter approaches every performance with the same philosophy: serve the music, elevate the ensemble, and create an experience audiences feel as much as they hear.

The Arkansas-born, New Orleans-based Blues, R&B, Funk and Reggae guitarist/ artist, who enjoys a strong following in the city, is now taking his career to the next level,. Sebastian’s family roots in the city’s music go back to his great uncle, Big Bill Broonzy, a widely acclaimed bluesman who counted the legendary Mahalia Jackson among his friends in the business. 

After more than two decades as a performer himself, the “Big Easy,” is where he found his creative home in 1986. He was drawn to New Orleans music because its culturally rooted style was an extension of his own sensibilities as an artist. Four years later, his struggle for recognition among so much homegrown talent, including mentors Leo Nocentelli, Walter Wolfman and Warren Batiste, led to a move to Atlanta. He wrote and recorded music that received airplay on the Georgia State University radio station (WRAS-FM), which led to his performing throughout the area with a five-piece band. 

When his own group broke up, SEBASTIAN joined the R&B band Billy Ball and the Upsetters as rhythm and lead guitarist, touring the South and the Midwest. After four  years on the road, SEBASTIAN returned to the New Orleans music scene in 1997, determined to make his presence felt. He appeared on Chuck C’s 1999 recording of “Another Sleepless Night,” produced by Cyril Neville. His transition to the Reggae genre, another reflection of his interest in roots music, came when he joined the Irie Vibrations band and performed on their 2004 release, Red Hot Reggae. 

While he played with local acts on Bourbon Street, as well as in clubs and churches, his passion and growing popularity as a street performer set the stage for the release of his CD, On the Streets of New Orleans, in 2006 and with the release of Raw Beginning 2009.

But as a freelance artist, he was drawback to Reggae in 2012-2015 and worked with bands/artist such as, The Shepherd Band 2, Errol Blackwood, Kyra Noons & the Neutral Sister, Milton Blake, and Warrior King.

In 2015-2018 he had an opportunity to work with Baton Rouge based and St Louis, Mo. native Blues artist, Ms Silky Sol the Red Afro Queen and performed at the 2016 Baton Rouge Blues Fest, and played the local and regional areas.

As of 2018 - present I currently work with the reggae veteran and extraordinaire Dex Daley & JAMX band and New Orleans based. The band has toured/performed regional and national in the United States.

Christopher “Krispercs” Downer is a percussionist who plays electronic and acoustic percussion simultaneously. His performance includes Drumset, Octapad, Djembe, Bongos, Congas, Timbale, Tambourines, Blocks, Bells and more.

With this list, he has mesmerized many locally and internationally with his sinuous beats and infectious playing. Having gotten his early tutoring from Ashe and Michael Harris.

A past Berkley student and music lecturer at the Edna Manley for the Visual and Performing Arts), he has travelled the world, playing in

• France

• Italy

• Spain

• Germany

• England

• Switzerland

• Thailand

• Australia

• New Zealand

• United States

• South America

and countless Caribbean islands.

He has performed at several top local and international musical shows including

• Sierra Nevada Music Festival

• Reggae on the River

• Raggamuffin Festival (Australia)

• Umbria Jazz Festival (Italy)

• Jamaica Jazz & Blues Festival (Jamaica)

• Sting

• Reggae Sumfest

• Rebel Salute

• Rising Stars-Digicel

and has worked with international celebrities including Rita Marley, Jimmy Cliff, Jah Cure, Tony Rebel, Queen Ifrica, Etana, Everton Blender, Dean Fraser and Sly & Robbie.