new show dates

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get tix now

◎

new show dates ◎ get tix now ◎

Westbound Train is Obi Fernandez (vocals, trombone), Rich Graiko (trumpet), Carlos Menezes Jr. (saxophone), Gideon Blumenthal (keyboards), Alex Brumel (guitar), Alex Stern (guitar), Thad Merritt (bass), and Eric Novod (drums)

“The hard-to-achieve
nuances of Ska and Reggae shine through effortlessly in each one of their performances.”

—Roger Rivas (The Aggrolites)

Since forming in 2001/2002 at Berklee College of Music, Westbound Train has shared their love of soulful ska and reggae music with audiences all over the world. Influenced by pioneers ranging from The Skatalites to Otis Redding, Hepcat to The Slackers, the band's infectious vocal hooks and high-energy live shows have found them performing all over the world--from the Vans Warped Tour to Summer of Ska to Rude Cat Festival to countless reggae festivals and national and international tours.

As the band enters its third decade, the future looks bright. Modern bands are lots of things these days. Members of Westbound Train are fathers and sons, teachers and business owners, studio musicians and band leaders. They are also dedicated to continuing Westbound Train's unique recorded take on classic Jamaican music.

upcoming shows

Dedication

Recently celebrating their 20-year anniversary, the Boston and NYC-based octet released their fifth studio record, "Dedication", in October 2022. Singer Obi Fernandez explains: "After all these years we’ve remained dedicated to our craft, dedicated to this genre we love, and the new album is dedicated to the memory of our bass player's dad Gene Merritt, who recently passed. Dedication is about so many things we love."