The Original Wailers

Al Anderson & The Original Wailers: A Legacy in Reggae
Al Anderson, renowned for his soulful and pioneering guitar work, is the founder of the Grammy-
nominated band The Original Wailers feat. Al Anderson. Established in 2006, the band draws deep
inspiration from reggae legends Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, and Bunny Wailer—all of whom Anderson had the
honor of recording and performing with during the golden era of Jamaican music. This personal connection
to reggae's foundational figures continues to shape Anderson's artistry and fuels his enduring passion.
"Whenever I play our music, I put 1,000% into it because I always feel like they're listening,"
Anderson said in an interview with SXSW Pop Magazine on March 6, 2025.
"I feel an energy playing the material that we created together.”
Al Anderson first rose to international prominence as the lead guitarist for Bob Marley and The
Wailers during two critical periods (1973–1976 and 1978–1981). His contributions—often cited among the
most iconic guitar solos in reggae history—helped define the sound of a generation. Guitar
Exchange magazine named him among “The 10 Most Important Reggae Guitarists,” and together with
Wayne Perkins, Anderson was one of the first to infuse Jamaican music with blues-rock guitar stylings,
leaving a global impact on the genre. Beyond his work with Marley, Anderson has had an illustrious career
as both a band member and session musician. He has collaborated with a wide range of influential artists,
including Peter Tosh, Carlos Santana, Lauryn Hill, Ben Harper, toured with UB40, Traffic, HR plus many
more. His guitar playing is featured on some of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed
albums of all time, including:
• Bob Marley and The Wailers
–
Legend (Certified 10x Platinum; the second longest-charting album in
Billboard history)
• Santana
–
Supernatural (One of the best-selling albums ever)
• Lauryn Hill
–
The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill (10 Grammy nominations, 5 Grammy wins in a single night)
A two-time Grammy nominee, Al Anderson continues to preserve and evolve the sound of roots reggae
through The Original Wailers.
Speaking about his current lineup, Anderson describes the group as “The United Nations of Sound”
(Artist On The Rise Magazine, February 12, 2025). The band brings together an eclectic and international
array of musicians:
• Chet Samuel – Lead Vocals & Rhythm Guitar: A gifted songwriter from Puerto Rico
• Paapa Nyarkoh – Drums: A master percussionist from Ghana specializing in African rhythms
• Omar Lopez – Bass Guitar: A versatile multi-instrumentalist from Mexico
• Ras Klamps – Keyboards & Organ: A veteran Jamaican keyboard player with decades of reggae
experience
• Al Anderson – Lead Guitar & Vocals: Founding member and driving force behind the band’s vision
Together, they carry the legacy of reggae into the future, honoring its roots while creating new rhythms for
the world to hear.