Reggae legend Ziggy Marley just wants peace in the world. He’s going to do his part with a tour that stops at the Pure Imagination Festival on Saturday, May 20, in Prescott.
“I’m going to play music to unite the people,” he said. “I want music I’m doing to inspire the people. We need to bring more peace within society and change what’s going on in America. That’s what I plan to do for this summer tour — bring the message to the people.”
The eclectic festival at Watson Lake also features Lucinda Williams, Los Lobos, Capital Cities, Allison Russell, Nappy Roots, Dirtwire, Ponderosa Grove, Jared James Nichols, the Brummies, Rachael Play Guitar, Johan Glidden and DJ sets by Cole Ramstad.
He said while he’s in Arizona, he hopes to reunite with a group of folks who are important to him.
“I want to communicate with some of the Native American people there,” he said. “That’s a big memory of mine in Arizona. I want to rekindle that connection with some of them.”
He is an eight-time Grammy winner, Emmy winner, musician, producer, activist and humanitarian who has cultivated a legendary career for close to 40 years.
The eldest son of Bob and Rita Marley, he has hewed his own path as a musical pioneer, infusing the reggae genre with funk, blues, rock and other elements through mindful songcraft.
He has released 13 albums and is the author of the children’s books “I Love You Too,” “My Dog Romeo,” “Music is in Everything” and “Little John Crow,” as well as the “Ziggy Marley and Family Cookbook.”
The latest book, “Little John Crow,” was written by him and his wife, Orly, while the others were based on ideas from his children.
“‘Little John Crow’ is a bigger book about acceptance,” he said.
“The book is about teaching acceptance of each other for who we are as individuals. As few of the books came from my sons. The last one is something I created with my wife from scratch.”
After the tour, he is going to work on a new album, the follow-up to 2020’s “More Family Time.” He’s joined by all of his school-age kids — Isaiah, Abraham, Gideon and Judah — as well as his brother, Stephen. Guesting on the collection is Sheryl Crow, Ben Harper, Angelique Kidjo, Lisa Loeb, Tom Morello, Alanis Morissette and Busta Rhymes.
He expects the summer jaunt to get the creative juices flowing.
“When you get inspired being around people,” he said. “Hopefully the tour will inspire me to make some good music.”
Pure Imagination Festival
WHEN: 11 a.m. Saturday, May 20
WHERE: Watson Lake Park, 3101 Watson Lake Park Road, Prescott
COST: Tickets start at $40