Unity The Band
United States, Wisconsin, Neenah
Unity The Band
About Unity The Band
Unity The Band is an award-winning original roots reggae group based in Wisconsin. Their intense touring schedule of varied venues around the Midwest has honed an interactive outdoor stage show with positive party vibes and the knack for drawing club crowds into the irie groove.
They treat fans to old Roots, Rock, Reggae favs along with original music blending influences of roots, rock, blues,
...
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Members
Tony Bessen
Anthony Robert Bessen (acoustic & electric guitar, vocals) was born and raised in the Northwood’s of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, near the majestic porcupine mountains, overlooking Lake Superior; Tony was influenced by the overwhelming peace and serenity that the Northwood’s offer. At the age of five, Anthony became fascinated with guitar and for years dreamed of the sounds it made and its' endless possibilities for new creation. Anthony finally picked up a guitar as a teen-ager and has never been the same since; continuing to evolve as a musician. Not long after he started his first band he felt the draw of music and the ability to express himself as a musician, and since that time he has been driven to become better every day. He has worked endless hours practicing his craft. He listens to and learns from everyone that has knowledge to offer in the field. Anthony has had the opportunity to learn from some of Wisconsin’s finest musicians. Anthony has played in bands in the styles of Hard Rock, Alternative Rock, Blues, Folk, and even Native American styles; B-side Glitch, the Haight Project, and the Strawberry Jam Band, to name a few. He has toured the Midwest; playing venues like the Rave and Summerfest. He also plays the ukulele, mandolin, and 12 string guitar. Anthony also spends his free time with others who hold the same passion for music. He is commonly found expanding his musical vocabulary by teaching guitar lessons and exchanging other artistic ideas with fellow musicians. Influences; LIFE, LOVE, Jimi Hendrix, Bob Marley, and the Beatles
Tony Bessen
Guitarist VocalistAnthony Robert Bessen (acoustic & electric guitar, vocals) was born and raised in the Northwood’s of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, near the majestic porcupine mountains, overlooking Lake Superior;...
Kelvin Ayres
Kelvin Ayres (singer, songwriter, producer and drums/percussion) has been involved in the entertainment business since childhood. Working in the early years with his father, a jazz musician who played and worked with such notables as Producer Tom Tom 84 who wrote and composed horn parts for Earth Wind and Fire and Phil Collins, (guitarist) Phil Upchurch who played with George Benson, (producers) Chuck Jackson and Marvin Yancy who produced gold and platinum records for Natalie Cole the daughter of the late Nat King Cole, (singer) Johnny Taylor, The Staple Singers, Junior Walker of Junior Walker and the All Stars who were signed to Motown Records and many others. Because of his family's rich musical influences and being exposed to Jazz, Gospel, R&B, Blues, Reggae and the realities of the music business at such an early age, Kelvin has developed a very unique perspective on what it takes to be a successful entertainer. Kelvin’s early years consisted of traveling and performing at many political and corporate events and functions throughout parts of the U.S with his family band, The Ayres. During this formative period he developed and honed a style of playing that incorporates aspects of many genres. His current influences and areas of focus include producers Avicii, Dr. Dre, Calvin Harris, Red One (singers), Michael Jackson, Taylor Swift, Prince, One Direction, Katy Perry and the writings of Arthur Koestler and Rudolph Windsor. Current projects include writing and producing Hip Hop and EDM music, and of course, anchoring the tight, rock-solid rythym section of Unity.
Kelvin Ayres
Drummer VocalistKelvin Ayres (singer, songwriter, producer and drums/percussion) has been involved in the entertainment business since childhood. Working in the early years with his father, a jazz musician who played...
Pat Collar
Franz Zermuellen(keys, vocals) began his music career while still in the womb. His mother played George Winston Vinyl’s for him up until his glorious passage into this realm. By the age of four Logan began his piano training, and by the age of 6 he was enrolled into the Colburn School of Music. Before he could drive, Logan was sneaking out of the home to play in local blues gigs at the venues in his area. Apart from his classical training, Mr. Logan received a very early education in blues, rock, and jam band styles. Upon graduating High School, Logan began paying his dues as a musician at the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point. There, he studied composition and theory with a business minor. After two years of rigorous study, he transferred to McNally Smith College of Music, a private music school in Saint Paul, MN where he completed his Bachelor’s degree and continued to pursue music production and engineering. Throughout college, Mr. Logan performed his original material with SevenDollarMic. This group featured his album, InVision, a collection or original instrumental piano works with a five piece band. www.reverbnation.com/logandier Mr. Logan also played keys for an alternative pop group called Essential Remedy running the same live music circuit as SevenDollarMic. www.reverbnation.com/essentialremedy After College, Mr. Logan formed TheFeelGood, A Soul Funk Cover Band that played 3 nights a week until Logan was picked up to tour with G.B. Leighton. www.gbleighton.com Within a month of being hired, Brian Leighton and Tom Pickard toured extensively with Logan across the Midwest, from South Dakota to Wisconsin, and then south, as far as Acapulco, Mexico. The most recent major artist Logan worked with prior to Unity was the late Kyle Fletcher (kylefletchermusic), the leader of the Buckthorn Brothers. Logan helped Kyle compose his first album, and was anticipating an appearance on his follow-up album, being recorded in Los Angeles prior to his passing in May of 2015. The trio work they created together can be heard at: http://www.soundcloud.com/sevendollarmic. Mr. Logan joined Unity in 2015 and quickly fell in love with the sweet feel of the reggae bubble. With the funky upright bass and consistent phatness of the rhythm section, Mr. Logan feels right at home adding to the sheer level of awesomeness that Unity brings to the table. Truly inspired by the kind-hearted message and vocals of Kai-Man, Logan has found himself enamored by the meaning and mission of the reggae message.
Pat Collar
KeyboardistFranz Zermuellen(keys, vocals) began his music career while still in the womb. His mother played George Winston Vinyl’s for him up until his glorious passage into this realm. By the age of four Logan ...
Hey Friends, Here is our new music video that we just dropped please check it out and let us know!!
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Here is our new song - House is on fire'
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Hey Friends & Fans, We love to thank you for taking the time to following our band and sharing the love of music and we do appreciate it very much. This year 2017 was a great year for our band, music and most of all life, we hoping to make 2018 even a better year. So if you would like watch us live or come one of our concerts please let us know and make it a trip with lots of fun and dancing. So you know what to do join us on (expired link) and till us where you would live us to play and we can try make it happen!! Checkout the website ; (expired link) come join us . Thanks again. One Love & Share it!
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We thank you for joining us and we appreciate it very. Tell us where you would like to watch us and we will try to travel (expired link) come check our website:
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Thanks again Management
Albums
About Unity The Band
Unity The Band is an award-winning original roots reggae group based in Wisconsin. Their intense touring schedule of varied venues around the Midwest has honed an interactive outdoor stage show with positive party vibes and the knack for drawing club crowds into the irie groove.
They treat fans to old Roots, Rock, Reggae favs along with original music blending influences of roots, rock, blues, funk and reggae into their own unique sound. Fronted with island-smooth energetic confidence by Kai "Pita" Katobalavu on lead vocals and rhythm guitar, the band’s talents includes the smooth bass lines of Tim Perkins, Anthony Robert Bessen laid-back guitar riffs and vocals, the cool intensity of Logan Pier on keyboards and innovative steady ease of Kelvin Ayres behind the drum set.
Unity's fan base has grown extensively regionally and globally with the release of five albums, Liberation, In The Beginning, Revival, Oceania & Sunset 7 a collection of diverse original songs written by Katobalavu, centered on his roots as a native born Fijian. The album's release and unique cultural story of a Fijian making music in the Midwest have gained the band extensive media attention in the US, Europe, Fiji, Australia, Hawaii & New Zealand, as well as radio play for the new music.
Plays Today: 40
Total Plays: 23,214
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Subscribers: 500
Followers: 255
Unity the band has no Merchandise yet.
Past Events
Fri
Mar 24
8:00 PM
21+ or w/ adult
Emmetts Bar
United States, Wisconsin, Appleton, 139 N Richmond St, Appleton., 54911
Sat
Mar 25
9:00 PM
21+ or w/ adult
Jimmy Seas
United States, Wisconsin, Green Bay, 1330 Marine St Allouez, WI , 54301
Fri
Mar 31
9:00 PM
21+
Willie Beamons Bar & Grill
United States, Wisconsin, Neenah, 2590 County Road II, 54956
Sat
Apr 01
6:00 PM
All Ages
Owly Oop Sports Pub
United States, Illinois, Rockford, 305 S. Madison St, 61104
Sat
Apr 08
7:00 PM
21+ or w/ adult
Star Lite Club
United States, Wisconsin, Kaukauna, W2091 County Road JJ, 54130
Fri
Apr 14
6:00 PM
All Ages
Pearl Street Brewery
United States, Wisconsin, La Crosse, 1401 Saint Andrew St, 54603
Thu
Apr 20
6:00 PM
All Ages
Mr Brown Lounge " The Loop"
United States, Illinois, Chicago, 81 East Wacker Place, 60601
Sat
Apr 22
9:00 PM
21+
Broken World Records
United States, Minnesota, Winona, 265 East Third St, 55987
Fri
Apr 28
9:00 PM
21+
JJ Maloneys
United States, Wisconsin, Kaukauna, N1994 Maloney Road, 54130
Sat
Apr 29
10:00 PM
21+
Lazy Oaf Lounge
United States, Wisconsin, Madison, 1617 N Stoughton Rd, 53704
Fri
May 05
9:00 PM
21+ or w/ adult
JJ'S & La Puerta
United States, Wisconsin, Sister Bay, 10961 North Bay Shore Drive, 54234
Sat
May 06
6:00 PM
21+ or w/ adult
Oscar's Pub & Grill
United States, Illinois, Rockford, 5980 E State St, 61108
Fri
May 12
9:00 PM
21+
Mo's Irish Pub
United States, Wisconsin, Wauwatosa, 10842 W. Bluemound Road, 53226
Fri
May 19
5:30 PM
All Ages
Lions Tail Brewing
United States, Wisconsin, Neenah, 116 S Commercial St, 54956
Fri
May 19
10:00 PM
21+
Short Branch Saloon
United States, Wisconsin, Neenah, 1102 Harrison St, 54956
Sat
May 20
9:00 PM
21+
Bar Louie Water St
United States, Wisconsin, Milwaukee , 1114 N Water St, 53202
Fri
Nov 15
9:00 PM
21+
Blue Moon Restaurant
United States, Wisconsin, Onalaska, 716 2nd Ave North , Onalaska, WI, 54650
Sat
Nov 16
8:00 PM
21+ or w/ adult
Jimmy Seas
United States, Wisconsin, Green Bay, 1330 Marine Street, , 54301
Sat
Nov 23
8:30 PM
18+ or w/ adult
Tadra (Night Under The Stars)
United States, California, Pleasanton, 3400 W.Rubyhill Drive, 94566
Fri
Nov 29
9:00 PM
21+ or w/ adult
Emmett's Bar & Grill
United States, Wisconsin, Appleton, 139 N Richmond St, 54911
Sat
Nov 30
9:30 PM
21+ or w/ adult
Lazy Oaf Lounge
United States, Wisconsin, Madison, 1617 N Stoughton Rd, 53704
