Whether you follow Worldbeat or Reggae music or not, everyone has heard of the legends of those genres – The Wailers, Maxi Priest, Third World and Burning Spear come readily to mind. Well, Lazo has shared the stage with them all and for good reason. Lazo belongs in their company.

Honoured with awards from industry peers, Lazo was chosen as the Top Reggae Performer of the Year from the internationally recognized Canadian Reggae Music Awards and along with many Juno nominations; he garnered a Juno Award in 2000 for Best Reggae Recording for his “Heart and Soul” CD. The optimism shared from his beautiful composition, “If Love Is on Your Side” captured a Juno nomination as did another album “Something Real” in 1995

Hey, the guy’s got 5 CD’s out and is currently recording his 6th. In fact, “Impetus” is such a strong effort that it was the first independent album to chart on Vancouver’s Z95.3 (TOP 30) and was scooped up by the Washington DC based RAS records, becoming the first Canadian artist to be signed by the label. Lazo’s music video, “Crucial”, produced by Video Fact and RAS Records reached #3 on the charts in Guyana, South America and received extensive play on CSN (Caribbean Satellite Network), as well rotating on America’s BET (Black Entertainment Television).

Lazo tours tirelessly throughout the United States, Canada and the Caribbean with an eye to tackle Europe in 2006. His list of international festivals is ever growing, this year adding Brazil’s Carnaval de Salvador. He is such a favourite at London’s Sunfest Festival that he has performed there for 10 straight years, last year as headline performer.

This charismatic artist who holds a degree in Political Science from the University of Toronto, against all odds left his small, beautiful island of Dominica, on a hot day in December 1979, only to arrive in Ottawa , Canada on a cold snow-storm night and made a name for himself in the world. This mover and shaker plans to make a difference in the world, musically and politically.

Discography

• Congo Natty Dread (Y.T. Records) 2004

• Children of the Palm Race ( Y.T. Records) 2002

• Love is on Your Side (Y.T. Records) 2001

• Heart and Soul ( Y.T. Records/ Factor ) 1998

• Something Real (RAS) 1995

• Impetus ( RAS ) 1993

• Satisfaction Guaranteed (independent) 1990