[2][3] In 1995, guitarist Allan Peddie and a friend, Vancouver bassist Sean Hill, founded a reggae duo called Rootsy Kali.
But others had become interested and, in 1996, Kaliroots formed as a nine-member band, with musicians from the classical, jazz and rock worlds.
They began performing in bars in Montreal, created the Reggae Night Fever concept at Club Soda,[4] and spent the summer of 1997 playing The Jailhouse Rock Cafe every Friday night, as well as gigs at clubs such as Le Medley Showbar (The Medley).
[5][6] They also participated in the music competition Empire of the Future Stars (which took place at Club Soda), making it to the quarter-finals.
[10] That summer, they appeared at the Lévis World Music Festival, Les Francofolies de Montreal, and Woodstock en Beauce.