Westbound TrainBoston-based Westbound Train play a modern take on '60s-era reggae and ska withtouches of jazz, soul, blues, Motown, and even rock. The septet was originally comprised ofObi Fernandez (vocals/trombone), Jesse Hayes (drums), Cory Williams (guitar), ThadMerritt (bass), Rich Graiko (trumpet), Gideon Blumenthal (keyboards), and Josh Cohen(sax). They released two independent albums, 2002's Searching for a Melody (re-releasedin 2003 on Megalith) and 2004's Five to Two, before a demo tape made its way intoTimArmstrong's hands at a hometownTransplantsshow.Armstrongwas impressed by themusic, soon asking the guys to guest on the forthcomingTransplantsalbum, HauntedCities.Westbound Train continued touring and over the years shared stages with bands liketheToasters,Reel Big Fish,the Skatalites,Street Dogs,the Planet Smashers, and more. Theyalso scored a 2005 Boston Music Award nomination for Best World Music Act, the only skaoutfit to be given the honor. By early 2006, their friendship withArmstronghad turned into arecord deal with his Epitaph imprint, Hellcat Records, and Westbound Train's label debut,Transitions, was issued that September. Williams left the group after sessions for thealbum were complete to pursue a jazz career, and the band soon welcomed guitaristJohnny DeCarlo into the fold as his replacement. ~ Corey Apar, Rovi Presented by Songbyrd. This is an all ages event