Ziggy Marley

Michael Franti ‘ Spearhead

Calvin Theater

Northampton

Sat. Feb. 28

$28.50

Here’s the dream of a college-aged reggae music fan: the opportunity to see the superior musical genius and trans-continental superstar Robert Nesta Marley on a stage performing live, playing his illustrious ‘roots, rock, reggae’ and spreading his messages of social harmony.

Unfortunately, this pleasurable image must remain only as a dream – due to cancer, Marley passed away in 1981.

However, his soul, music and message have flourished since his death through the strong force of his disciples – the ones that are closest to his heart – his children.

So while the dream’s transformation into reality is unattainable, Saturday night residents of the Pioneer Valley do have the chance to see a Marley live on stage, as the most successful of the family successors, Ziggy Marley, makes a stop at the Calvin Theater in Northampton.

Don’t expect to hear a Wailers cover band though.

Ziggy may be a Marley and his lyrics come close to mimicking the prophesies of his father but his sound is all his own.

Combining blues, R’B, hip-hop and roots reggae, Ziggy has crafted a unique sound over the course of a two-decade career.

He is best known for his work as the driving force behind the group The Melody Makers – which joins him with three of his siblings (brother Stephen and two sisters Sharon and Cedella). Ziggy Marley and The Melody Makers released their debut album, “Play the Game Right” in 1985 and were playing together as recently as one year ago on a European tour. Nineteen years later, three Grammy awards and millions of records sold, The Melody Makers are considered one of the most successful bands ever to step out of Jamaica.

However it will only be Ziggy performing on stage at the cavernous Calvin. He is touring in support of his debut solo album, “Dragonfly.” Released last year, the production of “Dragonfly” – which took about one year – was a chance for Ziggy to dig deeper into his musical prowess and establish himself as a solo artist. The crowd in Noho will get a glimpse of what he can do all on his own.

Although he is going solo for his performance, his touring parade is far more crowded.

Helping him entertain the masses is fellow socially conscious reggae/rock/hip-hop/soul artist Michael Franti and his band Spearhead, who are scheduled to open up for the headlining Kingston, Jamaica native.

Michael Franti has a led a life in music that others could only imagine. In 1992, Franti founded “The Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy”, an outfit that included famed jazz guitarist Charlie Hunter; the group released one album and toured with U2 before disbanding.

In 1994, Franti struck gold once again when his new group, Spearhead, was signed to Capitol Records. Over the next five years, Franti and Spearhead released two records to critical acclaim and established a fanbase around the country.

After parting ways with Capitol in 1999 though, ironically his career catapulted. Since going independent, Spearhead has scored opening slots for groups like Blues Traveler, Dave Matthews Band and Ani DiFranco. The band has collaborated with sax genius Karl Denson, Phish’s Trey Anastasio and the String Cheese Incident. And last August, they released “Everyone Deserves Music,” a concise, focused effort strongly representative of the group’s trademark sound: tight, soulful arrangements enhanced by thoughtful, conscious lyrics. In October, Spearhead showed off their new songs at a concert at Pearl Street Nightclub.

Such Spearhead tunes as “Positive” and “Bomb the World” carry important messages, wrapped in firm beats and solid grooves. When Franti tells us that “You can bomb the world to pieces, but you can’t bomb it into peace,” you can feel his frustration and, just as important, you can feel the rhythm.

Between Franti and Ziggy performing on stage, there will be all types of rhythms manifesting at the Calvin Theater Saturday night.

The show starts at 8 p.m. with soulful-singer Beth Hart set to open the show. Tickets are $28.50.