Rootical Players

Amha Selassie Baraka
The Veteran Rootsman
Rastaman - Messenjah
Amha - is amharic for “unconquered people of Israel”
Selassie - is power of the trinity, a Rastafari livity and conciousness
Baraka - is blessings, a mercaba word, first word spoken in Creation
As a youth at a early age of 16, Amha Selassie Baraka, known by many simply as Baraka, sighted Rastafari through the message of Bob Marley & the Wailers, Peter Tosh and Bunny Wailer
He was raised in the Baptist church by his father a reverend, where he was taught the bible verses and hymms that are a major influence on his musical and spiritual upbringing.
At 25 Amha sung in his first Reggae band “Creation Rebel”, and opened for Judy Mowatt At the first annual DC Reggae festival held at Benjamin Banneker stadium across the street from Howard University.
His second band experience was with “Caravan” a known Washington DC act. A few years later he made a move to form his own original group as lyricist, lead vocals and band leader. He monikered the band as JahKuumba. Kuumba is a Swahili word for creativity.
JahKuumba, a hot roots Reggae act bent on writing and performing an original sound of stateside Reggae, which was well received in inner city Washington DC , Their Home town, and the east coast as a touring act. JahKuumba after only one year of performing was blessed by the fact that the famous Itals, composed of singers, Keith Porter, Ronnie Davis , and David Isaacs, needed a backing Band, as their own backing band ,The Roots Radics were unable to accompany them on a USA tour. JahKuumba was hired to back them, and did so for the following 3 years in the USA and Europe.
While his band toured the states and Europe backing the legendary Itals, Amha continued to write his originals and gain knowledge from the greats, who he had been inspired by and rubbed shoulder’s with. Such as Peter Broggs, Julian Marly, whom his band also backed for a show. Augustus Pablos, and Mutabaruka.
Amha Selassie Baraka was also the co- founder of One World studios in Washington DC , along with Kofi Rozzelle, and Dan Parker. Also original founding members of JahKuumba.
For the past 25 years Amha has been performing on major stages on the east and west coasts. Originally from Washington DC ‘s inner city an evolved , involved Reggae artist and Rasta Man he is on a mission to help spread JAH’s Love and Reggae music across the globe.
Amha is currently based on San Francisco bay. He is CEO and founder of RootiCal Productions. A recording, booking, & promotion company.
”For Musicians by Musicians” He is the lead vocalist and band leader of a group of elite Reggae musicians and singers, The RootiCal Players, featuring Amha Selassie Baraka
Amha currently has 2 CD”s For the Love of JAH & Strictly Roots ,out and available online @ CD Baby .com , & Itunes. You can also listen to Amha Sellassie Baraka’s music On Spotify
Contact:
Amha Sellassie Baraka on facebook
Rooticalproductions/facebook.com
Amhab107@gmail.com
415-261-7342

Members of Rootical have opened shows for The Black Eyed Peas, Jimmy Cliff, Burning Spear, Pato Banton, Alpha Blondy, Michelle N’deggeocello, Black Uhuru, Third World, Vinyl, Andrew Tosh, Eek A Mouse , Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown, Barrington Levy & More.

Venues played by members of Rootical: Pier 23, The Sweetwater, The Mystic Theatre, The Phoenix Theatre, The Last Day Saloons, Health & Harmony Festival, The Boom Boom Room, Paradise Lounge, 4th St Fairs in San Rafael & Santa Rosa, 19th & Broadway, New George’s, Ashkenaz, The New Parish,The Hop Monk Tavern, Sausalito Art Festival, North Beach Street Festival, High Sierra Music Festival & More.
http://www.facebook.com/RootiCalProductions