| Ziggy Marley Generations of listeners have long embraced Ziggy Marley's work for children, beginning with Marley and the Melody Makers' rendition of "Give A Little Love," the percolating, sing-along track on the 1991 Disney compilation For Our Children, an all-star benefit disc that arguably launched a revival of high-quality, kids-oriented music. Marley has also contributed to several acclaimed children's programs: the theme-song voice for the popular PBS series Arthur and a tune for the Dora The Explorer's World Adventure CD. Most memorable may be his voice in the role of Bernie, the Rasta jellyfish, in the animated Shark Tale, where he also sang his father Bob Marley's "Three Little Birds" with his brother Stephen and dance hall star Sean Paul. Marley has been repeatedly drawn to family-friendly projects as a musician, humanitarian and even an actor. He is an active supporter of Little Kids Rock, which brings musical instruments and music lessons to children in public schools, and he founded U.R.G.E. (Unlimited Resources Giving Enlightenment), a non-profit organization that benefits a wide range of charitable children's causes in Jamaica and other developing nations. Marley's career began as a family affair 30 years ago. At his father's urging, Ziggy, brother Stephen and sisters Cedella and Sharon formed a vocal group, the Melody Makers. The group was embraced by fellow Jamaicans and, over the next two decades, built an international following. They earned a Best Reggae Recording Grammy for their 1988 major-label debut, Conscious Party, produced by Chris Frantz and Tina Weymouth and featuring the single, "Tomorrow People." The group garnered two more Grammys, for One Bright Day (1989) and the other for Fallen Is Babylon (1997). Ziggy's first solo performance came in Summer 2002 on the Jeep World Outside Festival, where he toured with Sheryl Crow and other artists. The following year saw the release of his debut solo album, Dragonfly, which featured such guest artists as Flea and John Frusciante (Red Hot Chili Peppers), Mike Einziger and DJ Kilmore (Incubus), bassist Delroy "Chris" Cooper, and keyboardist Franklin "Bubbler" Waul. In 2006 came Love Is My Religion, which expanded upon previously explored personal, social and political themes, fueled by a fragrant blend of roots reggae, African percussion and other elements. Marley hopes to share the messages of Family Time with children and families the world over. He's already thinking about how to present this work live, the visuals as well as music. "I want this to be a complete thing," Marley says. Expect concerts, perhaps children's books, more recordings and even an animated series coming to fruition. His ambitious, multimedia approach reflects the multilayered ideas of Family Time. "Usually my songs mean more than one thing. Family Time is my family, your family, the world's family."
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