Tschaka Tonge

Ras Tschaka Tonge is a singer, songwriter, composer, producer and musician, his principal instrument is percussion. His family roots from three Caribbean islands and the USA, where he was born and raised, shapes his own edge with what he claimed as, Jahz. His beginnings with his childhood friends in the teenage band The Sentimental Souls. Later grooming as percussionist and singer with Monyaka when Life Is A Festival was released, Moja Nya and Exodus Supreme (his first Reggae band experience.) He later released the anthem Solidarity with his band Azmari Jahz in 1986 on Jahz Records. Kwanzaa Oh Kwanzaa was released on iTunes in 2009 on his Jahz Times label. Singer, songwriter, composer, producer and percussionist, Tschaka Tonge was raised in Harlem, N.Y. during the both, politically turbulent and musically rich period of the 1960-1970’s. Exposed to American, African and Caribbean music from early age, these remain seminal influences in his compositions and musical associations. Active for over thirty-five years, he has managed a dual profession as a Physician Assistant. Tschaka received formal training in the N.Y.C. public schools and community organizations such as the legendary Harlem institution, Minisink, in the arts of poetry, singing, dance and drumming. In 1970 he joined childhood friends in The Sentimental Souls, cutting his musical teeth as both percussionist and singer. Weekend gigs playing cover tunes, a TV on appearance on Jimmy Breslin’s Night Talk, talent show finalists and a record release highlight his adolescence. Tonge attended Fisk University and graduated with a B.A. in biology in 1977. There he was co- percussionist with the jazz ensemble- The Orchestrated Crowd under the direction Mr. Robert Holmes. Notable are the annual spring concerts with featured collaborations with Jazz luminaries like Eubie Blake, Milt Jackson and The Cannonball Adderly Quintet. Tschaka also took to airways as coordinator and radio host on WRFN Fisk University Radio. After graduation he returned to join his family, now in Teaneck, N.J. continuing his education. During this time he linked up with the African dance, Reggae and Jazz communities. The Chuck Davis Dance Company and Tanawa Dance Company both in dance and drum. He also played with Exodus Supreme and later Monyaka Reggae bands. Tschaka won second place in the 1980 N.Y.C. Reggae Festival Song Competition with his original song “Life is a Festival.” In 1982, Tschaka graduated from The Harlem Hospital-CCNY P.A. Program. In 1985 he started his first band Azmari Jahz and released the critically acclaimed 1987 debut single “Solidarity” for Jahz Records. The track, a bouncing reggae song; calling for unity in the face of apartheid. “Solidarity” was listed in that year’s top one hundred in The Beat Magazine. Tschaka has lent his percussion skills recording or performing with Chaka Khan, Oscar Brown Jr., Pucho and his Latin Soul Brothers, Steel Pulse, Olu Dara, Leon Thomas, Third World, Rita Marley, The Wailers, Judy Mowatt, The Meditations, and The Congos; to name a few. Tschaka appeared in and co- wrote spoken word music for the 2001 film, “Hughes Dreams Harlem.” He received an honorable mention in the John Lennon Song Writing Competition for “Happiness is Nappiness.” His current 2009 release “Kwanzaa oh Kwanzaa” was written for the African-American holiday Kwanzaa for Jahz Time Records.