Allstar

Profile
If you could put together a group of accomplished musicians with a broad range of skills and a true
love of music this would be it. Benjy Myaz, Cat Coore, Onaje Allan Gumbs, Tony Ruption and Bankie
Banx make up the All Star Band. If you would like to see the All Star Band in your town please email
us.

This eclectic grouping brings together masters of reggae and jazz, and egos are obviously checked
at the door. Each musician has left his own indelible mark on his field and when they get on stage
together it's all about their craft. The term All Star Band is somewhat of a misnomer since each of
these artists pursue their individual projects full time. Bankie, Benjy and Cat did team up on
Bankie's Chariots of Steel album which Benjy and Cat co-produced. Benjy also co-produced some
tracks on Bankie's 2004 Universal release Amazing Grace.

Cat Coore is best known as the founding member of reggae ambassadors Third World Band, which
has recently been nominated for a Grammy Award. Tony Ruption is also a member of Third World
Band.

Benjy Myaz

Music aficionados recognize the integral role of the bass guitar in just about every musical genre.
From the up tempo style on Bankie’s “Taking Over” to the understated precision on “Chariots of
Steel” Benjy is the man holding down the bottom. But there is much more to this unassuming,
dreadlocked artist. Born Benjamin Myers, Benjy honed his craft playing gospel music in his native
Jamaica. As a bass player, Benjy is widely regarded as one of reggae’s finest, and his body of work
is immense from being awarded a scholarship to Boston’s Berklee School of Music in 1989, to
receiving a nomination medal and certificate from the Recording Academy for his work on Toots &
the Maytals Grammy nominated album in 2000. Benjy has also worked with Jimmy Cliff, Third
World, Freddie McGregor, Culture, Lieutenant Stitchie and an array of other elite artists. Benjy has
been Bankie’s musical director at Moonsplash since 1997, and along with Cat Coore were co-
producers on “Chariots of Steel.”
Despite his collaborations, Benjy is his own man. His style, while reminiscent of the greats like John
Holt and Dennis Brown, is completely original and unmistakably authentic. On November 17th, Benjy
released his third solo album “Long Story Short” to rave reviews in Jamaica. On “Long Story Short,”
the musical world has a unique opportunity to see an artist truly come full circle. Learn more about
Benjy on his website at www.benjymyaz.com and see Benjy with All Star Band at Moonsplash 2006.
(Excerpted from Moonsplash 2006 Newsletter)

Onaje Allan Gumbs

People who know jazz know Onaje Allan Gumbs. They know that Onaje has worked with singer
Betty Carter, trumpeter Woody Shaw, and drummer Roland Shannon Jackson. They might not know
that Onaje provided the arrangement for “Betcha By Golly Wow,” which became the signature
piece for the late great vocalist Phyllis Hyman, or that Onaje’s most recent project “Remember
Their Innocence” has made the first cut for the 48th Annual Grammy Awards in eleven different
categories including Album of the Year, and Best Jazz Album. The much deserved recognition that
Onaje has received for “Remember Their Innocence” is even sweeter, given that Onaje
independently produced, marketed and funded the album.
Onaje took up music full time over thirty years ago and has never stopped since. Onaje was born in
New York, but his father and his father’s family are all from Anguilla and Moonsplash has provided an
opportunity for him to reconnect to an important part of his heritage. Moonsplash 2005 was Onaje’s
first, but he had performed with Bankie before and is now an essential part of the All Star Band.
Despite his strong ties, and industry wide recognition, Onaje has never had the opportunity to
showcase has full array of jazz skills on Anguilla, but that may not be true for much longer. Onaje’s
start in the business came as a 20-year old back in the early 1970’s when he composed and arranged
a song for the David Frost Show. The song was commissioned by the musical director, Dr. Billy
Taylor, one of the foremost figures in jazz. Onaje has been working, producing, composing and
arranging ever since. Look for Onaje on the Grammy’s stage in February 2006 and the Moonsplash
Stage in March 2006. (Excerpted from Moonsplash 2006 Newsletter)