Stann Champion Explained

Stann Champion
Origin:United States
Genre:Reggae World
Instrument:Vocals, keyboards, drums, guitar, bass
Years Active:1978–2022
Label:Sonic Sounds, Obvio Records, RRS International, VP Music
Past Member Of:Bob Marley, Earth Wind and Fire, Ziggy Marley, Al Jardine, Brett Michaels

Stann Champion (May 16, 1952 – August 16, 2022[1]) was an American-born guitarist, singer, songwriter, and producer. He played guitar and drums blending reggae, calypso, R&B, and rock music styles. Best known as the leader of the band "Roots, Rock Society" (RRS), Champion provided music therapy at hospitals and nursing homes.[2] He has appeared with Blue Öyster Cult, Quiet Riot, Gil Scott-Heron, Steel Pulse, Third World, Culture, and Burning Spear. He received 12 Chicago Music Awards (CMA), for "Best Calypso", "Best Soul Calypso" and "Best Gospel/Spiritual Band" as well as CMA's "Lifetime Achievement Award," for his contributions to the Chicago music industry and community involvement.

Early life and education

Champion was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States, and moved to Chicago, Illinois at an early age, where he was enrolled in public K-12 schools and the Chicago Art Institute Junior School. He attended Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville (SIUE), and Columbia College Chicago where he received his Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Design in 1974.[3]

Career

Before graduating from Chicago's Columbia College, Champion worked at a couple of Michigan Avenue advertising agencies during the day and played music at night. He was approached by a songwriter from the island of St. Kitts to record at Bob Marley's Tuff Gong Studio in Kingston, Jamaica. With a band called Gypsi-Fari in 1982, he recorded his first release titled "The Girls" for Obvio Records at Paul Serrano Studios in Chicago. Gypsi-Fari also won the first awards from the Chicago Music Awards in 1982.[4]

After leaving Gypsi-Fari in 1982, Champion returned to the private sector and was recruited for a band to back Jamaican singer/songwriter Carlene Davis for her North American tour. Her EP release featured two songs written by Champion and was reviewed in the "College Musical Journal" (CMJ). Soon after college stations nationwide were requesting promo copies for programming.

Champion formed his own, the Roots Rock Society (RRS). With RRS, members came and went, but the project remained intact. With RRS, Champion created his "Tropical Roots" sound with the release of "Again", a four-song EP co-produced by David Axelbaum that reached over 250 radio stations worldwide.[5]

Stann Champion Radio Show

Discography

Awards and nominations

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: ChiExec . 2022-08-25 . Video Profile of Chicago Musician Stann Champion . 2023-10-23 . Chicago Broadcasting Network . en-US.
  2. Web site: Chicago's Stann Champion Has Deep Roots in Community International Musician . 2023-10-23 . internationalmusician.org.
  3. Web site: Community . B. D. N. . 2022-05-04 . Champion in concert at Stonington Opera House . 2023-10-23 . Bangor Daily News . en-US.
  4. Web site: director@operahousearts.org . 2022-06-06 . STANN CHAMPION IN CONCERT - MAY 7 - LIVE! FOR $5 . 2023-10-23 . Opera House Arts . en-US.
  5. Web site: Featured People Archives . 2023-10-23 . Chicago Broadcasting Network . en-US.
  6. Web site: WNUR. WNUR. en-US. 2019-06-03.
  7. Web site: WNUR - Stann Champion Radio Show. WNUR. en-US. 2019-06-03.
  8. Web site: Amazon Music - Roots Rock Society. www.amazon.com. 2019-06-03.
  9. News: Playing for Peace Zincfest Jamaica.
  10. Web site: D'Souza . Ajay . Milestones And A New Beginning For Stann Champion « CHICAGOCINEMA.NET . 2023-10-23 . en-US.

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