26

SUNDAY

Speedy programmed dancehall beats with rapped vocals may be the sound of the moment in reggae, but Burning Spear doesn’t want to hear it. For 30 years, the man born Winston Rodney has chanted and sung about history and Rastafarianism in a warm, easygoing manner over simple roots-reggae rhythms. Taking his alias from the nickname of a former Kenyan president, Burning Spear has sung about “Slavery Days,” repeatedly saluted black-independence advocate Marcus Garvey, and extolled the value of faith in bringing about change. Allowing his band to improvise, and adeptly varying the tone and inflection of his smoky vocals, Burning Spear has largely prevented his singular, basic sound from becoming formulaic. Opener Jr. Jazz is a Brooklyn-based reggae balladeer who’s influenced by pop-jazz singers like George Benson and Al Jarreau in addition to reggae crooner Gregory Isaacs. At 8:45 p.m. at the 9:30 Club, 815 V St. NW. $20. (202) 393-0930. (Steve Kiviat)