Marley brings reggae music for youth, adults

For Ziggy Marley, the eldest son of music legend Bob Marley, those expectations have helped him establish his own niche in the reggae genre and the chance to work with a wide variety of artists.

Ziggy Marley opens for Omaha, Neb., natives 311 in a 7:30 p.m. show Saturday at City Market.

Marley said he has toured with many different acts and is open to all kinds of music.

"I've been with many different artists through the years," Marley said. "I played with the Black Crowes, The Fugees ... it's a good experience to mingle and mix with them. I've done shows with Marilyn Manson. It doesn't matter. I play music for everyone."

Marley's latest project is a pair of children's albums. Marley released "Family Time" in May and will release "B is for Bob" on June 23.

"Family Time" is a work of original songs and some covers from Marley aimed at a children's audience. Guest stars on the album include Jack Johnson and Willie Nelson.

"The idea of doing a record for children runs deep in who we really would love to influence" Marley said. "The greatest step I've ever taken in music is singing for children."

Getting high profile friends to come on the album did not prove to be too difficult. Jamie Lee Curtis also appears on two tracks, reading a story by Marley and one of her own.

"I just called them," Marley said. "I just wanted to call some people I knew."

"B is for Bob" features Ziggy reworking 12 of his father's songs for children. Marley said the idea was to have something of Bob Marley especially for children.

"We wanted to create something original - Bob Marley just for kids," Marley said. "We reworked some of the music. It's a bit different, so it's unique for children."

Bob Marley albums have been popular with kids and Marley said reggae in general appeals to children and families.

"Reggae music is about love and unity, so it's very positive to children," Marley said. "It always has been."

Marley, who has five children of his own, said his daughter Judah served as a big influence on the two albums and makes an appearance on a couple songs.

"She sings a song on ‘Family Time,'" Marley said. "A lot of the songs were written from experiences and conversations we've had."

Marley said during the current tour he will try to mix in some of the new material with his previous music. He also will perform kid-specific shows in a few cities around the country.

With hits of his own and his father's, Marley said he knows what songs the audience wants to hear but wants to find a good balance of songs during his set.

"I've gone to the extreme of wanting to give fans only something new. But it's human nature," Marley said. "People see the name Marley and want to hear something familiar, so I want to satisfy that need in them. I like the new stuff, but I am respectful of people and what they like to hear."

With the summer arriving, Marley said Americans seems to enjoy reggae music more.

"People are much more open to the music," Marley said. "They feel the music; they enjoy it more being outdoors. On the island of Jamaica it's like this 24-7, so you always enjoy it more outside, under the sun. With this type of music, nobody wants to be locked up in their houses."

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