The musical omnivore, Rupert Harvey, is known for his masterful guitar playing, engineering, and producing ability. Putting his soul into everything he does, his forty-plus years in the industry is one to be marveled. Harvey was born in Kingston, Jamaica, and despite his illustrous career, was not originally thinking of music as his path. He attended a military-style boarding school as a child, assuming that he would follow the military lifestyle. A move to Canada in the early 1960s with his family, drastically shifted his focus. After his parents signed him and brother Rupert Harvey (Messenjah, Crack of Dawn) up for lessons, Carl began taking interest in the guitar, teaching himself how to play, and saving up for his own. While in school, fellow students would introduce Harvey to blues staples, Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, Albert King, and the many other blues revolutionaries, which taught him how to improvise. Jimi Hendrix in particular was an inspiration for the musician, with song Purple Rain shaping his sound.

Highly active in the 1970s, Harvey was tied to bands like Sly and Robbie, and Bunny Lee’s House Band, The Aggrovators. He was eventually asked to join legendary Toots and The Maytals by Toots Hibbert, after subbing in on the guitar. With The Maytals, Harvey would tour the world many times over and recorded over 15, of their total of 30, albums together. The internationally acclaimed group has secured two Grammy wins for albums True Love and Got to be Enough. Harvey also has three Juno-nominations under his belt.

As a reggae savant, Harvey has three of his own solo albums, all of which are critally acclaimed. Albums include, Unleashed, The Times, and the highly sought-after collectors item, Ecstacy of Mankind. His contributions to the music industry are vast. From his years of expertise, Harvey has engineered the ‘Rastacasta’, a guitar that he created in 2012, using only the highest quality components.

Following the untimely death of friend and collaborator, Toots Hibbert in 2020, and the unprecedented global pandemic, Harvey pushes on. He continues to produce, play, and mixes for The Maytals, Crack of Dawn, Jason Wil-son, Pee Wee Ellis, and his brother, a reggae legend in his own right, Rupert Harvey. He has also graced the stage alonside many music legends like, The Rolling Stones, Dave Matthews Band, and Sheryl Crow, to name a few.

Carl Harvey leaves himself open to the universe, using his youthful spirit to inspire his music.