Luna Angel

As I arrived at the venue on Sunday the sound of Reggae Music drifted through the warm air and promised another great festival day. People lounged on the grassy area in front of the stage under big umbrellas to shield them from the hot sun or walked near the water that was sprinkled with boats and provided a nice breeze. The reggae music vibe continued on a special Father’s Day with opening performances by the sweet and lovely Luna Angel who was taking the light crowd back to Africa on her song, "Africa Land" that was full of the sounds of Jembe drums and African dancers that decorated her performance even more.

- ReggaeReview.com

By Diedre Nolan


It was October of 1981, the massive outdoor Greek theatre in Berkeley was hosting the first major reggae event in North America featuring many rising yet still unknown Reggae performers including the Wailers, Joe Higgs, Wailing Souls, Ras Kiddus and Hugh Mundell. An infant was in attendance, Luna Angel, in her mother’s embrace less than a month old at her first reggae concert watching her uncle, Junior Marvin, the leader of the Wailers. It was the same year that reggae’s most distinguished vocalist, Bob Marley had transcended and opened the door for the new generation of musical talents. The concert was a significant event in the history of Reggae as well as Luna’s life. It was there that she experienced her first glimpse of the musical spotlight.

Music has always been an integral part of Luna’s life, and by the age of sixteen she had definitely decided that she was determined to be a musician. She went to Jamaica to complete her first recording with her uncle Junior Marvin. Being a native Californian born to a Jamaican mother and French father, she was inevitably exposed and influenced by many genres of music from reggae and dancehall to jazz and R&B. Luna began to explore her abilities as a songwriter and musician, incorporating her diverse inspirations from Bob Marley to Billy Holiday, Jimi Hendrix, Coltrane, and Miles Davis along with her powerful smooth vocal accompaniments. She dedicated her time to her new career by spending her summers at performing arts camps and later attending the Jazz School in Berkeley.

She began playing with the I-Rise Band when she was nineteen. For the past few years, she has showcased her talent on stages across California at concerts and festivals with the Luna Angel Band, a five piece ensemble of talented musicians that includes her brother Moese Angel. In 2002, she impressed audiences when she performed at Reggae on River, one of reggae's largest international events, as a singer and a guitar player. Soon the rising sensation started opening for major acts such as Toots and the Maytals, Third World, Buju Banton, Michael Franti, Israel Vibration, Morgan Heritage, and Culture.

        
Through her music, she strives for originality and she tries to give listeners a break from constant generic sounds. This young performer tries not to limit herself to any one particular style, but to create tunes that appeal to a diverse audience. Her songs, which she describes as “conscious yet commercial” blend elements of reggae with R&B as well as a touch of jazz, and some have more dancehall and hip-hop flavor like “Move with me”, which can be heard on her website. Music is Luna's chosen method of self-expression and she utilizes her sultry vocals to deliver lyrics that emerge from her inner being. Luna is involved in all aspects of her music; she has even co-produced and arranged most of the songs that will be on her upcoming release. With her innovative style of music, she hopes to leave a lasting impression.


Luna has continued to make appearances throughout the California and the Bay Area. In September, she performed at the first annual reggae festival in Vallejo, Dreadstock. She opened for Alpha Blondy at Slim’s and with reggae giants, Third World in San Francisco for a Hurricane Ivan relief benefit concert in October. After a long summer of recording, she has completed the voicing of her first album which is slated to release early next year.

Through the incredible amount support and love she has received from her family, friends, and fans, Luna is confident about the future of her musical journey. This talented performer continues to move forward in a positive direction built on her solid foundation of genuine love and appreciation for music. Almost 23 years later, after watching her uncle center stage for the first time, she has taken the torch, preserving her strong musical heritage.

For information about Luna please visit her website at www.lunaangel.com.

  - Jahworks.org