02/21/2026
Mostly Marley bringing reggae spirit to Salmon Arm
By Barb Brouwer, Salmon Arm Observer
Drop the winter gear and move your body to warm Caribbean beats on March 14.
Celebrate Shuswap hosts Mostly Marley, returning artist Mike Henry’s take on reggae, a distinctive music genre that evolved from ska and ‘rocksteady’ and originated in Jamaica in the late 1960s. Known for its slow tempo, heavy bass lines, syncopated rhythms, and offbeat guitar chords, it is deeply tied to Rastafarian culture, social justice, and artists like the late Bob Marley. Reggae incorporates elements of rhythm and blues, jazz, African folk rhythms, calypso and mento, a rural folk form that served as dance music and an alternative to church singing.
“Mostly Marley performs with passion while always remaining true to the spirit of reggae,” said Celebrate Shuswap’s Jim Cooperman of this latest dance party and infectious music. “Mostly Marley is a band that takes you on a musical odyssey – with good times to be had by all.” Henry said he grew up listening to Mowtown, R&B and soul, and offers his own take on the music with a variety of genres and bands, including Funkalicious. Celebrate Shuswap regulars will remember Henry’s sold-out Motown Show that filled the dance floor in April 2023.
Henry was introduced to reggae while working on the Viking Cruise Line travelling between Sweden and Finland in the late 1990s. “The music vibe sort of touched me,” he said. “I just gravitated to it on the cruise.” Henry formed Mostly Marley in 2003 with the idea of bringing classic reggae to an enthusiastic audience. “The band packs venues all around B.C.,” said Cooperman. “Last year, they were one of the most popular bands at the North Shuswap’s weekly summer concert series, Friday Night Live, where folks packed the dance ‘floor’ for nearly their entire show.” On March 14, Mostly Marley will feature the talents of Ellen Marple on trombone, Tyler Biller on guitar, Jonah Ocean on bass, keyboardist Allan Olivier and on drums, Nino Di Pasquale, an artist Henry has performed with since 2003. Henry said he learned to appreciate Bob Marley’s legacy and always honours his Feb. 6 birthday, this year by playing a sold-out gig in Vancouver’s Gas Town. “It’s a happy vibe, with great music and musicianship, fun and togetherness,” Henry said, noting he’s looking forward to playing in the Shuswap again. “We’re celebrating Bob Marley’s legacy and all the players are fine, fine. It’s all about love and bringing people together.” Mostly Marley begins at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, March 14 at Song Sparrow Hall.
Get your tickets soon before this show sells out (we are halfway there now!) -
here: https://celebrateshuswap.ca/product/most-mar/
