Royal Hammer (Roots Reggae)

Join us for live music during the May First Friday Art Walk featuring Royal Hammer!

Royal Hammer is a seven-piece roots reggae collective from Portland, Maine. Comprised of some of Portland’s most talented and seasoned musicians, Royal Hammer has for many years paid thoughtful and respectful homage to the great traditions of Gregory Isaacs, Dennis Brown, Roots Radics and many others. Fresh off the release of its debut album, My Bubble, Royal Hammer has begun spreading their message of love, hope, and justice to a broader audience. Fronted by lead singer, guitar player, and arranger, Michael Taylor (Rustic Overtones, the Awesome), Royal Hammer is, Gary Gemitti (Rustic Overtones) on drums, Tyler Quist (Jaw Gems, the Awesome) on keyboards, Stu Mahan (London Souls, Nat Osborne) on the low end, and horn section Ryan Zoidis (Lettuce, Soulive, Rustic Overtones), Dave Noyes (Plains, Rustic Overtones) and Lucas Desmond (Model Airplane, Kenya Hall Band). Among their long list of accomplishments, Royal Hammer has shared the stage with such legendary artists as Lee “Scratch” Perry, Barrington Levy, and Midnite as well as backing up international reggae artists Marty Dread and Glen DaCosta of the Wailers.