Zion Lion is a Kalamazoo,
Michigan-based Roots Reggae band. Their members have many years
experience in diverse genres of music including Steel drums, Reggae,
Gospel, Jazz, Salsa as well as Latin and African rhythms. These
musicians have played with local, national and internationally known
performers in venues from small clubs to large cultural festivals,
including Harmony Festival, Tello’s SunSplash, Island Festival,
Charlevoix Summer Festival, Grand Rapids African American Festival,
Kalamazoo Black Arts Festival, Grand Rapids Caribbean Festival,
Muskegon Summer Festival, Grand Haven Concert Series and the Bob
Marley Birthday Bash in Kalamazoo.
Zion Lion’s foundation is laid by bass player Simba Jahi and drummer
Preston Moore who have between them nearly 50 years of musical
experience. They have played with such Reggae great as Beenieman,
Lucky Dube, Shabba Ranks and Mickey Dread.
Zion Lion is...features
Sister Myra Atkinson (Vocals / Steel Drum / Percussions) born and
raised in Portsmouth, VA. She quickly became a local favorite in the
Kalamazoo area and one of the top female Reggae vocalists in
Michigan. Whether playing her steel drums, inviting the youth on
stage with her, or singing one of her Bob Marley’s favorite songs
she leaves the audience begging for more. Sister Myra has toured
with the Midwest best Reggae Indika as a special guest vocalist.
Nathan Ndjiharine (Lead Guitar / Vocals) grew up under Apartheid
rule during Namibia’s occupation by South Africa. During this time,
he was influenced very heavily by Bob Marley music and positive
message of liberating Africa from the colonial powers and saw Reggae
as the music for the liberation struggle. Nathan began playing
guitar at the early age of 12, and played in several bands in
Namibia with hometown friends. Nathan relocated to New York in the
1983 He played with Yelling Beat and Global Warning world beat
bands. Nathan is the founder of Yoroka a Southwest Michigan African
band.
