George Wesley

Biography



George Wesley has written and performed his own infectious music for over four decades creating many memorable songs influenced by the blend of rock'n roll and Caribbean sounds. Through his countless stops up and down the east coast of the U.S. and in the islands of the Caribbean, people have enjoyed listening and dancing to the original music of George Wesley.



Through the years George has been a headliner at many festivals as well as playing the same stage with a long list of well known artists including The Wailers, Santana, Black Uhuru and Jimmy Cliff.
In 2008 George was voted 'Best Singer-Songwriter' by Diamond City Readers Poll.



The music, itself, captures musicians as well as people just out for a good time because George writes from his musical roots… Bob Marley, Bob Dylan, The Grateful Dead and other diverse influences. Along with outstanding musicianship and professionalism, George delivers his musical story with warmth and sincerity through clear and effortless singing that only comes to artists with years of honing their skills.



In addition to his original material George Wesley does a "Tribute to Bob Marley" in which he covers Bob Marley "twisted up and smoked" George Wesley style! He also covers the following artists in his own unique style: Peter Tosh… Jimmy Cliff… Jimi Hendrix… The Rolling Stones… Eric Clapton… Dylan… Grateful Dead… Stevie Ray Vaughn and many more.



Depending on the occasion, you may see George Wesley with a 4-piece band or a full 10-piece group as well as his very popular solo performances that are named The Small Axe Orchestra. The "orchestra" name appropriately fits George's solo venue because he has developed a "live looping" technique by playing a MIDI guitar synthesizer, which allows him to create supporting music (on the spot) for the songs he chooses to play at that specific moment. It's always fresh, it's always new, and it has the ability for the one man band to sound like an orchestra.
George Wesley, truly, has music in his veins. As a descendant of composer Charles Wesley ("Hark the Herald Angels Sing") to growing up playing in his father's band, George learned about music and how to play it at a very young age. By the time George was in his teens he was writing and playing his original music for people in Eastern Pennsylvania and several bordering states. Through the 70's and early 80's George played with several regional bands that showcased his original material, including his first Caribbean flavored song, "Jamaica." The groups focused on colleges, universities, festivals and bars covering Pennsylvania and four other states. These venues kept the groups very busy and George began to point his future efforts toward becoming a national touring and recording artist.
In the mid 80's The Wesley Rogers Band (George's first rockin' reggae effort) toured and recorded with
Sly Dunbar and Robbie Shakespeare, known as the "Riddim Twins." In the late 80's David "Ikril" Walker (drums) and Evon "Laza" Lazarus (bass) connected with George forming the musical magic of the "IRIETATIONS."



George Wesley and The Irietations gained quick recognition for their sound and were sponsored by Jamaica's Red Stripe Beer from 1990-92. During that time period The Irietations also recorded with well known musician, Eddy Grant, on his label, World Beat Records, at Blue Wave Studios in Barbados.



Most recently George has been recognized and endorsed by Martin Guitar of Nazareth, PA and selected by them to work on some of their newest products like the Martin "X-Midi" guitar. George is honored to be included on Martins list of famous owners and thanks them for their support of the last album project "When I'm Next To You, I Feel Lucky" through their contribution of Sting's acoustic bass and Tom Petty's 12-string from the Martin museum.



It's a rare combination to hear meaningful music performed with an energy that ignites a crowd to want to embrace that musical experience… George Wesley offers young and old that gift in a new way every time.