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Stann Champion (born Stanley Higgins; May 16, 1952 – August 16, 2022) was an American guitarist, singer, songwriter, and producer based in Chicago. His music blended elements of reggae, calypso, R&B, and rock. He founded the band Roots Rock Society (RRS) and performed with Blue Öyster Cult, Quiet Riot, Gil Scott-Heron, Steel Pulse, Third World, Culture, and Burning Spear. Champion also provided music therapy at hospitals and nursing homes.
Stann Champion | |
|---|---|
 Stann Champion | |
| Background information | |
| Born | May 16, 1952 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States |
| Died | August 16, 2022 (aged 70) |
| Genres | Reggae World |
| Instrument(s) | Vocals, keyboards, drums, guitar, bass |
| Years active | 1978–2022 |
| Labels | Sonic Sounds, Obvio Records, RRS International, VP Music |
| Formerly of | Bob Marley, Earth Wind and Fire, Ziggy Marley, Al Jardine, Brett Michaels |
He received 12 Chicago Music Awards, including "Best Calypso", "Best Soul Calypso" and "Best Gospel/Spiritual Band," as well as a "Lifetime Achievement Award," for his contributions to the Chicago music industry and community.
Early life and education
editChampion was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and moved to Chicago, Illinois at an early age. He attended public K-12 schools and the Art Institute of Chicago Junior School before attending Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville (SIUE) and Columbia College Chicago, where he received his Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Design in 1974.[1]
Career
editBefore graduating from Columbia College Chicago, Champion worked at advertising agencies and played music. He collaborated with a songwriter from Saint Kitts on a recording session at Bob Marley's Tuff Gong Studio in Kingston. In 1982, as part of the band Gypsi-Fari, he recorded his first release, "The Girls," for Obvio Records at Paul Serrano Studios in Chicago.
After leaving Gypsi-Fari in 1982, Champion returned to the private sector[2] and was recruited for a band to back Carlene Davis for her North American tour. Her EP featured two songs written by Champion and was reviewed in College Musical Journal (CMJ).
In December 1986, Champion formed his own band, the Roots Rock Society (RRS); they toured with reggae bands such as Steel Pulse, Third World, Culture, Burning Spear, and Gil Scott-Heron.[3] RRS's membership changed regularly, but the project continued. With RRS, Champion created his "Tropical Roots" sound with the release of Again, a four-song EP co-produced by David Axelbaum that reached over 250 radio stations worldwide.[4]
Stann Champion Radio Show
editDiscography
edit- Gypsi-Fari - Hail Jah '45 (1981 Sonic Sounds)
- Stann Champion Roots Rock Society 'Cassette (1987 RRS International)
- Bass Mint Sessions 'Cassette (1991 RRS International)
- Again 'Cassette (1994 RRS International)
- Riddim to Riddim 'Cassette (2007 RRS International)[7]
- La Familia 'Cassette (2010 RRS International)
- Cost of Living 'Cassette (2013 RRS International)
- TimeBless 'Cassette (2015 RRS International)
- Paradise Love 'Cassette (2016 VP Records)
- See Me 'Cassette (2016 VP Records)
Awards and nominations
edit- 1980 "Playing for Peace Award" Kingston Jamaica [8]
- 1982 "Best Band", Gypsi-Fari Chicago Music Awards (CMA)
- 1984 "Best New Band", Safari CMA
- 1985 "Best Band", Safari CMA
- 1989 "Most Versatile Band", Roots Rock Society (RRS)
- 1990 RRS Received Certificate of "Special Recognition" from Lucent Technologies
- 1993 RRS nominated "Best Roots and Reggae", Illinois Entertainer
- 1994 "Best Gospel/Spiritual Entertainer", RRS CMA
- 1995 "Best Gospel Entertainer", RRS CMA
- 1996 "Best Band", RRS CMA
- 1997 "Most Versatile Band", RRS CMA
- 2002 "Producers Award" for Stann Champion CMA
- 2002 "Best Reggae Album/CD" for "Riddim to Riddim" CMA
- 2007 RRS awarded "Best Entertainer" by CMA
- 2008 RRS awarded "Best Entertainer" by CMA
- 2015 Awarded Certificate of Appreciation for Community Leadership by Chatham Avalon Park Community Council
- 2016 Awarded "Gresham 6 Award" for community service by 6th District
- 2016 Awarded "Lifetime Achievement Award" [9]
- 2019 Elixir Strings Performing Artist Program
References
edit- ^ Community, B. D. N. (2022-05-04). "Champion in concert at Stonington Opera House". Bangor Daily News. Retrieved 2023-10-23.
- ^ "stann champion | International Musician". internationalmusician.org. Retrieved 2024-11-16.
- ^ "Chicago's Stann Champion Has Deep Roots in Community | International Musician". internationalmusician.org. Retrieved 2023-10-23.
- ^ "Featured People Archives". Chicago Broadcasting Network. Retrieved 2023-10-23.
- ^ "WNUR". WNUR. Retrieved 2019-06-03.
- ^ "WNUR - Stann Champion Radio Show". WNUR. Retrieved 2019-06-03.
- ^ "Amazon Music - Roots Rock Society". www.amazon.com. Retrieved 2019-06-03.
- ^ "Playing for Peace Zincfest Jamaica".
- ^ D'Souza, Ajay. "Milestones And A New Beginning For Stann Champion « CHICAGOCINEMA.NET". Retrieved 2023-10-23.
External links
edit- Chicago Cinefest - Bret Michaels, Blue Oyster Cult, Quite Riot, Freddy Jones Band with Roots Rock Society
- International Musician Magazine 2017
- Chicago Chicago Cinema Article
- Chicago Broadcasting Network Video Profile Stann Champion