衛武營國家藝術文化中心 National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts (Weiwuying)

Toronto-based singer-songwriter and multicultural artist, Duane FORREST, is thrilled to present his captivating live music show, Bob Marley: How Reggae Changed the World, in Taiwan. Following the success of his performances at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe last year, Duane is excited to bring this powerful tribute to the legendary Bob MARLEY to a larger audience. Combining his own personal connection to Jamaican roots and a deep admiration for MARLEY's music, Duane takes the audience on a journey through the history, cultural impact, and timeless songs of the reggae superstar.

Born in Toronto to Jamaican parents, Duane FORREST's upbringing and exposure to the sounds of reggae left a lasting impression on both his music and his life. Drawing from his own experiences and cultural heritage, Duane tells the story of how reggae became a global phenomenon and how it influenced his own musical career. Through a combination of storytelling, live music performances, and audience engagement, Duane brings to life the spirit and essence of Bob MARLEY's music.

Bob Marley: How Reggae Changed the World opens with the instantly recognizable "Jammin'" and takes the audience on a journey through MARLEY's life and iconic songs, including classics such as "One Love," "Three Little Birds," and the unforgettable "No Woman No Cry." Duane's warm and soulful voice, accompanied by his skilled guitar playing, captures the essence of MARLEY's sound, inviting the audience to sing along and immerse themselves in the infectious rhythms of reggae.

Duane FORREST's own musical journey spans over a decade, during which he has released two full-length original albums and toured extensively. His eclectic style blends jazz, reggae, bossa nova, soul, and more, creating a unique and captivating sound that resonates with audiences around the world. Duane's deep connection to music and his Jamaican roots infuse his performances with authenticity and passion.

Don't miss the opportunity to experience Bob Marley: How Reggae Changed the World.

  Program  

Bob MARLEY: Jammin' 

Toots and the Maytals: Do the Reggay 

The Upsetters: Zion's Blood 

Bob MARLEY: Could You Be Loved

Duane FORREST: The Bluffs 

Bob MARLEY: Buffalo Soldier

Bob MARLEY: Three Little Birds

Harry BELAFONTE: Don't Worry Be Happy

Bob MARLEY: No Woman No Cry

Bob MARLEY: One Love

Bob MARLEY: I Shot the Sheriff

Hugo PERETTI: I Can't Help Falling in Love

Bob MARLEY: Redemption Song

  Creative and Production Team  

Creator & Performer｜Duane FORREST

Producer｜John McGOWAN

  Artist Introduction  

Duane FORREST is a professional singer-songwriter and multimedia artist from Toronto, Ontario.

His unique sound blends jazz, reggae, bossa nova, soul, and smooth vocals. Over the past decade, FORREST has released two full-length original albums and toured in Canada three times, in Europe four times, and in Central America three times. He has secured radio play in Canada,

Germany, Honduras, Iceland, Italy, Nicaragua, and the United States. His latest album, The Climb, reaches more than 4,000 monthly listeners on Spotify.

In 2017, Duane debuted his first theatre production, CLIMB, a live album experience based on his concept album, The Climb. The show was well-received at the 2018 Toronto Fringe Festival and earned praise from Toronto Fringe founder Gregory NIXON who described the show as "one of the highlights of this year's Fringe." CLIMB received glowing reviews at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2019 & 2022 and was runner-up for "Show of the Festival" at the Milan Fringe Festival in 2023. He also debuted a new show called Bob Marley: How Reggae Changed the World that received a 5-star review from Broadway Baby. As he furthers his career, FORREST aims to continue to push the boundaries of his art by delivering music in diverse storytelling formats.

Duane has just released his new EP Blackest Bird which speaks to political issues facing the Canadian Black community. Currently, Duane is developing a new album called Sunrise in Jasper that will explore Indigenous and Black experiences in present-day Canada into its history. He is excited to use music to further shine light on issues of social justice and change.

Duane is a Black Canadian born and raised in Scarborough, Ontario, to Jamaican immigrant parents. Growing up in an at-risk neighborhood, music provided Duane a positive outlet that he credits for putting him on a different path than many of his childhood peers. He developed a passion for many genres of music growing up listening to Reggae, Hip Hop, Classical, and Jazz FM radio.

His experience with music as a young man also inspired him to found Genesis School of the Arts, a registered Canadian charity that offers music and arts programming to marginalized children and youth in Toronto and Central America.

Duane's songwriting draws on reflections from traveling the world, falling in love, and finding wonder in the joys and sorrows of human experiences. He values wholesome, relatable stories grounded in real-life experiences. His songwriting also increasingly explores issues of social and cultural awareness and individual and collective change.