Chris Aaron Band

Local band departs for Caribbean tour

With the fresh addition of new talent on bass and drums, The Savi Fernandez Band is prepared to take their good vibes beyond the local music scene, closer to where reggae music first grew its roots in the Caribbean.

On Tuesday, the reggae funk group departed for a 12-day tour in the Virgin Islands.

"It's probably going to be the best time of my life," lead singer Savi Fernandez said when asked about the tour. "I've played acoustically internationally, but this is the first time I'm playing with the whole band."

"I'll be able to spread positive music to more people," he said. "That's what I want to do, is sing internationally. Plus, I sing in other languages."

The band played a final show for hometown fans inside The Social on Saturday night. Their performance had most of the crowd on their feet dancing, keeping everyone's spirits lifted into the early hours of the morning.

The show opened with the band Fifty Foot Ordinance of Orlando and DJ Aaron of Whole Wheat Bread, a band from Jacksonville.

At just past midnight, Fernandez, who also plays guitar, took the stage along with bassist Chris McMullen and drummer Joey Lanna. The ensemble also included Angelica Moorman on backing vocals, a man known simply as Jason "Fancy Pants" on mandolin and Christian Ryan, whose saxophone belted out several applauded solos.

McMullen said the band's sound has changed now that he and Lanna are onboard with their background in jazz.

"We have put a new spin on the Savi Fernandez Band," McMullen said. "It is totally different than before we joined in."

The band's new roster is attracting attention. They have played at venues such as The Plaza Theatre and World of Beer, and at music festivals like the AURA Music & Arts Festival and the Purple Hatter's Ball.

"We've opened for Pato Banton," Lanna said. "We've opened for The Supervillains a couple times."

McMullen said they are working on building a bigger fan base. The band plans to tour more in the fall and will travel to Barbados in November, according to Lanna.

"It's hard being on the road so much," McMullen said, "but at the end of the day, we're doing something we love and getting paid to do it."

The Savi Fernandez Band is working on a studio EP that should be released in July. They spend their time recording with producer Jay Franklin at the solar-powered Porch Records in Orlando. McMullen said the band is influenced by Bob Marley, Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad, and Parliament.

The Chris Aaron Band - Freedom 5 Miles (1999) Filesonic, Hotfile ...

"Freedom 5 Miles", the second studio disc by excellent blues/rock guitarist CHRIS AARON features 12 songs (58 minutes) of outstanding, amazingly solid blues/rock riffage that is way beyond the norm. Besides the excellent, tasteful rippin' guitar playing of CHRIS AARON, the "Freedom 5 Miles" disc also features the incredible melodic soulful vocal power of COREY STERLING (ex-KENNY WAYNE SHEPHERD). The man has an awesome powerful bluesy voice that is perfectly suited for this style of music. "Freedom 5 Miles" also features the killer drum work of BILL LORDAN (ex-ROBIN TROWER), one of the Grooveyard's favorite drummers. Excellently recorded with a top-shelf production, the CHRIS AARON BAND have delivered a blues/rock masterpiece of classic proportions with the "Freedom 5 Miles" disc.

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