Jairus
Bass and vocals – Jairus arrived from Kenya in mid-1994. He explored a wide range of musical styles, including Jazz, Funk, Blues, Gospel, and African music. But once he found Reggae, he headed for the States, where he realized the music was strong and growing. As a member of IRIE TIME, he delivers the solid bass integral to their music from a five-string Warwick. Jairus also plays guitar and keyboards and has designed his own recording studio where he helps young artists develop their recording careers.
Laja
Keyboards and vocals – Laja is rapidly helping put IRIE TIME’s music on the map. A national superstar in his home country of Nigeria, Laja worked the New York music circuit for nearly two years before coming to Texas in 2005 to be added to the IRIE TIME line-up. A highly-renowned and in-demand session player, Laja continues to routinely fly across the country between IRIE TIME dates to contribute his talents to various musical projects. He is a virtuoso guitarist, as well as keyboardist, and serves as music and choir director for his church.
Scottie
Guitar and lead vocals – Scottie studied voice and music theory at the University of St. Thomas and Rice University in Houston. He writes and publishes his own music in collaboration with members of the band and runs his own independent record label. He recorded album tracks in Kingston, Jamaica with legendary guitarist Earl ‘Chinna’ Smith and Squidley Cole of Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers, Handel Tucker from Maxi Priest’s studio band, and Keith Sterling from both Peter Tosh’s Word, Sound, and Power band and Black Uhuru. The high caliber of IRIE TIME’s latest studio recording reflects, to a great extent, his musical acumen and production abilities, and further demonstrates the group’s continued vibrant presence in the international music arena.
Yemi
Drums, percussion, and vocals – Yemi performed with IRIE TIME on a part-time basis for a number of years before joining the group in 2014. He has an extensive music background and became well-versed on several instruments by the time he was in his early teens. Yemi plays both acoustic and electronic drums with the band and maintains an active schedule teaching percussion on the side. He plays a plethora of styles and always attracts widespread attention for his sophisticated drum work at IRIE TIME shows.
