Naomi Cowan — March 8, 2026 | SOB’s, New York City
“On a night celebrating women in reggae, Naomi Cowan turned SOB’s into a living tribute to the past, present, and future of the genre.”
For anyone who has spent time in New York’s reggae and world-music scene, SOB’s (Sounds of Brazil) holds a special place in the city’s musical history. Since opening in 1982, the intimate club tucked just off Varick Street has served as one of the most important rooms in the U.S. for reggae, Latin, African, and global music. Over the decades its small stage has hosted artists who would go on to become legends, and the venue remains one of the few places in New York where you can experience these styles of music up close, without barriers between artist and audience.
Walking into SOB’s on March 8, 2026, you could feel that legacy immediately. The show was billed “Welcome to Paradise,” the title of Naomi’s latest award winning album on Easy Star Records and fittingly it landed on International Women’s Day, setting the tone for a celebration of women in reggae music. It was the kind of night that blended tradition with new voices — something SOB’s has always done well.
Personally, the evening brought back memories of many nights spent in that room over the years. Most recently I saw Jamaican reggae vocalist, Jesse Royal, there who had Naomi as a guest vocalist. Going all the way back to the early ’90s I was fortunate to see South African reggae legend Lucky Dube perform there — one of those unforgettable shows that reminds you how powerful reggae can be in a small club setting. The same spirit was alive again Sunday night.
A Family Legacy in Reggae
Headliner Naomi Cowan comes from deep reggae roots. She’s the daughter of Tommy Cowan, the influential Jamaican producer and artist manager who worked with Peter Tosh and the Wailers, and Carlene “Carly” Davis, one of Jamaica’s most beloved gospel and reggae vocalists. That lineage gives Naomi a direct connection to reggae’s history, but her music clearly pushes forward into a modern sound.
Her latest album, Welcome to Paradise, released on Easy Star Records, recently won the JUNO Award for Reggae Recording of the Year, and the SOB’s show carried the same celebratory energy as the record itself.
The evening unfolded like a reggae showcase, with a steady flow of artists taking the stage before Cowan’s headline performance. DJ Gabsoul set the tone early, warming up the crowd with a mix that kept the room moving before the live performances began.
Next came short but energetic sets from Truvi, Lola Jaan, and Justice the Artiste, each delivering about ten minutes of music backed by instrumental tracks. Their performances gave the audience a snapshot of the newer wave of reggae-influenced artists working today.
Lola Jaan delivered a fresh burst of reggae energy, making her first appearance in New York City. Her confident stage presence and smooth vocals connected quickly with the crowd — a debut that felt like the first of many future NYC performances.
Justice the Artiste followed with a focused set blending reggae rhythm with modern dancehall and hip-hop phrasing, bringing a confident presence and sharp lyrical delivery to the stage.
Then Naomi Cowan stepped in for her first set, and the shift was immediate. Unlike the earlier performers, she arrived with a full live band, instantly thickening the groove in the room. Reggae simply breathes differently with a live rhythm section, and the crowd responded right away.
She opened with “Beautiful Ska,” an upbeat nod to Jamaican roots music, before sliding into “The Voice (Gratitude Riddim)” and “True Lies.” Songs like “Up to Di Time” and “Naked” blended modern production with classic reggae rhythm, while “Imagine” closed the first portion of her performance with a smooth, soulful groove that had the crowd swaying across the packed dance floor.
After Cowan’s first set, Zion Marley took the stage, continuing the theme of reggae lineage that ran throughout the evening. As the son of Lauryn Hill and Rohan Marley, Zion carries one of the most recognizable family names in reggae history, and his set kept the crowd engaged with a fresh take on the genre’s sound.
King Cruff stepped up with his own performance, bringing a slightly different energy to the stage. During his set he brought Justice the Artiste back out for a collaborative song, creating one of the night’s spontaneous moments and reinforcing the communal feel of the event.
With the crowd fully warmed up, the stage turned back over to Naomi Cowan for the rest of her headline performance.
Naomi returned for a set that leaned heavily into the meaning behind the evening.
The centerpiece was “Women Respect.” On a night celebrating International Women’s Day, the song carried real weight. As Cowan sang, the screen behind the band displayed images of iconic women from reggae history — a powerful visual tribute to the artists who helped shape the genre.
The audience responded with loud cheers as the message of recognition and respect filled the room.
One of the night’s lighter moments came before “Cherry on Top.” Cowan, who had been wearing a striking red dress all night, explained to the audience that she chose the outfit specifically because of the song. The playful explanation drew smiles from the crowd before the band slid into the groove.
The performance itself had a breezy feel, mixing a laid-back rhythm with Cowan’s smooth vocal delivery.
She wrapped up with “Peace of Mind,” “Version,” and “Paradise Plum,” bringing the night back around to the themes of her award-winning album.
For the encore, the stage filled with performers from throughout the evening.What followed was a loose reggae improv jam, with the artists trading vocals and verses while the band held down a steady groove.
It felt less like a traditional encore and more like a community moment — musicians sharing the spotlight and the rhythm together.
Another Memorable Night at SOB’s
Shows like this are exactly why SOB’s remains such an important venue in New York’s music landscape. While the city has plenty of large concert halls, there are very few rooms where reggae and world music continue to thrive in such an intimate setting.
Naomi Cowan’s “Welcome to Paradise” show fit perfectly into that tradition. With her deep reggae heritage, award-winning new album, and a lineup that celebrated both history and emerging voices, the night felt like a reminder that reggae’s story is still being written — and sometimes the best place to hear it unfold is in a small club just off Varick Street.
