With over 40 years of touring to his name, Mykal Roze is one of reggae’s true road warriors. After two years on the sidelines due to COVID-19, the roots singer recently returned to live action.

Tonight, Mykal Roze is scheduled to kick off a seven-date stop in California with a gig at Moe’s Alley in San Diego. His comeback started April 22 at the Austin Reggae Fest in Texas, which was followed by shows in New Mexico and Illinois.

“My shows in the Midwest were the first since 2019. They were two festivals, in St Louis (Illinois), a jerk festival, and International Festival of Life in Chicago. Well, give thanks, it feels really good to be on the road and the turnout are sold-out shows,” Mykal Roze told the Jamaica Observer.

On July 21, he performs at Miner’s Foundery in Nevada City. This is followed one day later by a show at Belly Up, in Solana Beach.

Roze completes his short run in the Golden State in the cities of Arcata, Mill Valley, Pacifica, and Los Angeles.

As a solo act and member of Black Uhuru, California has been a happy stomping ground for the 65-year-old Mykal Roze.

“The first time I toured the west coast was 1987 as Mykal Roze. It was a Bob Marley Day Festival in San Francisco and San Diego and also LA. Moss Jacobs was the promoter. I give thanks for everyone that give support to my music for all these years,” he said.

Mykal Roze, Duckie Simpson, and American dancer Puma Jones comprised the most famous version of Black Uhuru during the late 1970s to 1985 when he left the group. That year, they became the first winners of the Best Reggae Album category (then known as Best Reggae Recording) at the Grammy Awards for the Sly and Robbie-produced Anthem.

Since going solo, Mykal Roze has consistently toured the US and Europe, playing club dates and festivals.