Donny Rasta
Roots & Culture · San Francisco Bay Area
30+
Years Live
1987
Career Start
6
Piece Live Band
Primary Artist
Donny Rasta
Live Band
JAHBUDDA!
Genre
Roots Reggae / Conscious
Based In
San Francisco Bay Area
A Voice Born in Roots & Culture
Donny Rasta is a San Francisco Bay Area reggae artist, performer, and bandleader with over 30 years of experience in the Roots & Culture reggae scene. Born in San Antonio, Texas, Donny brought his deep passion for conscious music to the Bay Area in the early 1980s — creating music that uplifts, unites, and speaks truth.
Step into the vibrant world of reggae with Donny Rasta — a veteran whose soulful vocals and infectious rhythms have captivated audiences across San Francisco for decades. His journey is one of spiritual commitment, artistic dedication, and an unwavering belief in reggae’s power to change hearts and minds.
With his album “On Fire” blazing through the reggae scene and live performances at iconic Bay Area venues with JAHBUDDA!, Donny Rasta stands as one of the most authentic voices in contemporary roots reggae music.
“The Bay Area has embraced my music in ways I never imagined. There’s something special about performing reggae in San Francisco — the people here truly understand the message and feel the vibrations.”
Bay Area Performance History
Donny Rasta has been setting the Bay Area ablaze with high-energy performances that blend traditional reggae sounds with contemporary influences. His passionate stage presence has made him a standout at San Francisco’s most prestigious music venues.
01
Reggae Explosion, Pier 3
Where Donny first captivated the Bay Area with his unique reggae style
02
Reggae In The Park
Golden Gate Park — one of San Francisco's most successful reggae festivals
03
Juneteenth Festival
Bringing vibrant energy to this beloved cultural Bay Area event
04
Bottom of the Hill
Intimate performances showcasing his soulful vocals up close
05
DNA Lounge
Electrifying late-night sets that kept the crowd moving all night
06
Pier 23 · The Independent
Historic waterfront and underground venues that define SF's music culture
Who Donny Rasta Has Performed With
Throughout his career, Donny Rasta has shared the stage with reggae legends and rising stars — a testament to his standing in the global roots reggae community.
Third World
Don Carlos
Frankie Paul
Twinkle Brothers
Sugar Minott
Mooka Barota
Don Mickey Dread
Strictly Roots
Eddy Fitzgerald
Ponta Bonta
Jah Big
Rastafari
On Fire The Album
Donny Rasta’s album On Fire is living up to its name — igniting passion among reggae enthusiasts and newcomers alike. Blending classic roots reggae with a modern twist, it delivers a sound that is both timeless and timely.
Each track carries a message — whether it’s about unity, resilience, or spiritual awakening — reflecting Donny’s deep commitment to truth, culture, and positive change. Listeners will find themselves not just dancing, but thinking, feeling, and reflecting.
With its bold production and authentic voice, On Fire cements Donny Rasta’s place as one of the most dynamic voices in contemporary reggae.
↗ Spotify
↗ Amazon
↗ Youtube
S1
Never Fall in Love
Breakthrough hit single — signature song
S1
King of the Jungle
Powerful opening track
04
Black Man
Socially conscious anthem
10
This Time
Uplifting message of hope
-
Praise to Jah
Spiritual reggae roots
“Pure roots reggae energy. Donny Rasta’s voice and conscious lyrics make this an unforgettable listen. Highly recommended!”
Influences &Unique Style
What sets Donny Rasta apart is his ability to honor traditional roots while infusing contemporary elements. Drawing inspiration from reggae legends, he has developed a sound that honors the genre’s rich history while incorporating dub, dancehall, and soul influences.
🎸
Bob Marley
Roots Reggae Legend
✊
Peter Tosh
Revolutionary Voice
🔥
Burning Spear
Spiritual Messenger
🙏
Spiritual Growth
Journey of consciousness and enlightenment — music as a path to higher understanding.
⚖️
Social Justice
Advocating for equality and positive social change through conscious lyricism.
🌱
Personal Transformation
Stories of growth, resilience, and self-discovery woven into every song.
JAHBUDDA! The Full Band
JAHBUDDA! is a powerful 6-piece San Francisco Bay Area reggae band carrying forward the rich traditions of roots reggae, conscious music, and live cultural expression. Known for their deep grooves, authentic island rhythms, and uplifting stage presence, the band blends classic roots reggae with Bay Area energy — creating a sound that is both timeless and fresh.
The band is made up of seasoned musicians with decades of performance and recording experience alongside internationally known reggae artists and respected Bay Area reggae groups. Together, JAHBUDDA! and Donny Rasta continue to represent the spirit of conscious reggae throughout the Bay Area — bringing positive vibrations, cultural unity, and authentic roots reggae to every stage they touch.
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Big Vic Hollingsworth
Lead Guitar · Band Leader
Bandleader and lead guitarist for JAHBUDDA!, Big Vic Hollingsworth is a respected Bay Area reggae musician and owner of Lions Den West Rehearsal Studios. Over the years, he has performed and recorded with numerous reggae artists and groups including Sista I Live, Blakk Lung, Victor Essiet and the Mandators, Tychia Amet and the Lighthouse Band, Lick Shot Posse, The Itals, and Reggae Angels. His leadership and musicianship provide the backbone of the JAHBUDDA! sound.
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michael bause
Keyboards
A longtime cornerstone of the Bay Area reggae scene, Michael Bauce has been performing reggae music for over four decades. As a founding member of Lambsbread in the early 1980s, Michael has shared stages with reggae legends including Burning Spear, Aswad, Jimmy Cliff, Andrew Tosh, and Alpha Blondy. He has also backed iconic artists such as Ras Michael, Pablo Moses, and Tony Tuff. His soulful keyboard work adds authentic roots flavor and musical depth to JAHBUDDA!’s live performances.
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ras joe gell
drums
Ras Joe Gell is an accomplished drummer and African percussionist with more than twenty years of experience performing roots reggae, ska, rocksteady, and nyabinghi music. His career has included performances and recordings with artists throughout Los Angeles, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Northern California. Ras Joe has worked with artists such as Ras Michael & The Sons of Negus, Tuff Lion, General Smiley, Sol Medic, and many others. His deep spiritual connection to nyabinghi drumming and authentic reggae rhythms gives JAHBUDDA! a powerful and dynamic live foundation.
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Manny San Gabriel
bass
Originally from Puerto Rico, Manny San Gabriel grew up surrounded by American and Latin music, art, and culture. He began playing bass guitar at age sixteen and later relocated to the San Francisco Bay Area to further pursue music professionally. Manny currently performs with several reggae bands and projects throughout Northern California. Influenced heavily by legendary bassist Aston “Familyman” Barrett, Manny brings a deep, melodic reggae groove to the band.
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Isaiah "Zabba" Smith
Rhythm Guitar
A third-generation reggae artist, Isaiah “Zabba” Smith carries reggae music through his family bloodline. Inspired by the musical legacy of both his grandmother and mother, Zabba brings a grounded and soulful approach to rhythm guitar. His steady grooves and natural feel help keep the roots tradition alive while adding youthful energy to the band’s sound.
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Rickey Locket
2nd Keybord
Riley Lockett is an Oakland based animator and musician, specializing in funk and jazz. He works as an elementary school librarian and high school animation teacher.
Bay Area Performance History
Donny Rasta has been setting the Bay Area ablaze with high-energy performances that blend traditional reggae sounds with contemporary influences. His passionate stage presence and authentic connection with audiences have made him a standout performer at some of San Francisco’s most prestigious music venues.