About Adrian Xavier & Ska Island
Adrian Xavier & Ska
Island are celebrating the release of
their epic single "Peace To All Nations" with a special Earth Day
show at the Spanish Ballroom.
Adrian Xavier was born in Seattle and raised traveling throughout
the West Coast of the United States. His mom Swaneagle is known in Pacific
Northwest creative and activist circles as a free-spirited visual artist whose
work reflects earth consciousness, unity, and grassroots social awareness. His
mother and father's influences helped shape his blend of reggae, dub, folk, pop
and global influences. Growing up with a father immersed in the Los Angeles
fast-paced broadcast world - while being mostly raised by an activist visual
artist - gave Adrian Xavier exposure to two very different but equally
powerful creative influences. From the remote mountains of Eastern Washington
to the suburbs of Los Angeles, Adrian Xavier grew up around diversity, The
vibrant Pacific Northwest music community played a major role in developing his
sound and career. Adrian Xavier's early music career began with
the band Pure Water, which he started in 1997. While he was a member of Pure
Water, the band opened for major reggae acts including The Wailers (Bob
Marley's legendary band) and Jimmie Cliff. By Early 2000 Adrian Xavier began
working on his debut solo album R Nature. The album received praise
on international reggae platforms, notably from Orange 94.0 - das Freie
Radio in Austria, which highlighted strong songwriting, vocals, and
production quality.
On stage, Adrian doesn't just
perform songs - he creates atmosphere and connection. Whether performing solo
with acoustic guitar or backed by a full band, his shows move between roots
reggae grooves, world-beat rhythms, folk-inspired storytelling, and moments of
improvisational dub energy. His lyrics center on unity, social awareness,
empowerment, and positive action. Songs often invite the crowd to reflect, sing
along, and participate.
The mighty Ska Island band
is an explosive jazz-band style ska band inspired by the original ska masters,
the Skatalites. Featuring a talented lineup of veteran reggae and jazz
professionals from across the PNW, the group has been amazing and delighting
audiences across the region, both in their works with Adrian and independently
performing new versions of classic ska tunes as well as original compositions.
The powerful horn section punctuates a tight & punchy rhythm section, and
the whole band is stacked with dazzling soloists. The lineup's other credits
include works with artists like The East Van All-Stars, Winston Jarrett, The
Herbivores, Clinton Fearon's "Boogie Brown Band", State of Jefferson,
The Jazz Senators, GrooveLab, Cozmic Sauce, Yogoman Burning Band, New Old
Chatauqua's "Fighting Instruments of Karma" band, Marmalade and
Dub Lounge Int'l and more"