Haitian-born Mystic Man uses his music as a force to unite diverse souls and strives to carry that ethic to audiences and to the larger world. His nine-member band Lakay’s funky and dance-oriented music incorporates a broad range of styles – calypso, reggae, soca, kompa, soukous, highlife, dancehall, and more. Singer and multi-instrumentalist Mystic Man writes and arranges original songs that draw on folkloric traditions from his homeland, combined with influences from throughout the Caribbean, Africa, and Latin America. Though Haiti – the world’s first independent black nation – has suffered devastating loss from natural disasters including hurricane and earthquake, as well as political crises, Mystic Man and Lakay bring hope through celebrating the country’s rich culture.

Known to followers as the Brothas from Planet Funk and the Guardians of the Good Groove, the Funkanauts bring deep rhythms from the farthest reaches of space. At least that’s what their music sounds like. They truly believe that music can change the world, especially if it’s rooted in the foundations of groups such as Ohio Players and Funkadelic. Lead guitarist and vocalist Jay Stone Collins – the 2007 winner of the Guitarmageddon sponsored by Guitar Center – organized the group in 1997, along the way adding members who understood the funk and keep the groove alive.