Dubbin’ It & Luvin’ It
July 22, 2021
Written by Sista Irie
JALLANZO (Omar Allanzo Johnson) is a musician, singer, songwriter, producer and audio engineer born May, 1981 and hails from Old Breaton, Portmore, Jamaica.
“Music is my life, my life is my music and I am dubbing it and loving it” ~ Jallanzo
The name JALLANZO is as unique and melodically beautiful as the innovative, transformational music he creates. At age five, Jallanzo’s talent surfaced when he fell in love with his toy guitar. His early love for music, like many Jamaican artists was triggered by attending the local church. At age 13, he crafted a personal drum set from a collection of old buckets and pots and began performing in the community as “The Pan Vision One Man Band.” In 1994 he entered the Jamaican Tastee Talent Contest with his homemade drum set and shared the stage with King Yellowman. By the age of twenty, Jallanzo was writing and singing his own songs and was inspired to perform in local talent competitions.
Naturally shy, Jallanzo continued writing songs quietly behind the scenes. He listened intently to legendary Jamaican drummers such as Sly Dunbar, Leroy ‘Horsemouth’ Wallace, Santa Davis, Carlton Barrett and Style Scott whose influence sharpened his skills and professionalism. Dedicated to molding his sounds to perfection while creating and writing powerful lyrics, Jallanzo began producing and writing songs for other singers. With growing confidence in his own vocals Jallanzo released his first album entitled ‘Reggae Rockin” in 2005.
In 2006, he joined the remarkable duo of Jubba and Stone, eventually leading to the formation of the band known as Dubtonic Kru. Their sound was quickly revered by fans at a time when bands were re-emerging in significance. Dubtonic Kru recorded and toured throughout the U.S., Europe and the Caribbean. Jallanzo’s unique guitar style, his captivating vocals and potent lyrics contributed to their authentic sound. Although members of the band have now branched off into solo projects, they still maintain a brotherhood and unite to perform and record from time to time.
In the studio and on stage, Jallanzo grew his reputation by working with many of Jamaica’s finest artistes including Max Romeo, Xana Romeo, Azizzi Romeo, Luciano, Jimmy Riley, Frankie Paul, Mad Cobra, Sizzla, Warrior King, The Viceroys, The Mighty Diamonds, IJahman Levi, The Congos, Earl Chinna Smith, Gyptian, Jah9, Jesse Royal, I-Wayne, Lutan Fyah, Chezidek, Jah Mason, Mykal Rose, Jah Sun and Spice. Jallanzo enjoys collaborating with other global artists and musicians with the intention of raising the psychic vibration and to continue spreading the message of unity and love worldwide.
Jallanzo has extended his multi-talented activities to include dub recordings and live performances. Friday, July 23 is the release date of the live dub video entitled “The Voice Of The Dub” taken from his first dub album “Dubbin’ It & Luvin’ It. The collector’s quality dub album will be released on August 13th, 2021 on Jallanzo’s DUB MATRIXX label.
