GROUNDATION formed in 1998 when Stafford started a roots reggae/jazz fusion group with fellow students at the Jazz Performance program at Sonoma State University. Stafford’s interest and knowledge of the reggae genre led to him developing and offering a course he taught at Sonoma State called “The History of Reggae Music.” Reggae legends like Joseph Hill of Culture and historical icons like Abba Melchezadek (Haile Selassie’s private secretary) amongst others came and shared their personal experiences with the classes.

GROUNDATION’s first 2 albums, Young Tree and Each One Teach One, established their unique roots sound while also commencing collaborations with foundational reggae artists. Each One Teach One features the vocalist Marcia Higgs and the Nyabinghi drumming master Ras Michael.

In 1999, while in Jamaica, Harrison met the legendary engineer Jim Fox, who did extensive production and recording for RAS Records, including their most iconic releases. This was the beginning of a longstanding relationship between GROUNDATION and Lion and Fox recording studios. Subsequently Fox re-mastered Young Tree and Each One Teach One and he recorded and mixed Hebron Gate (2002), the album that launched GROUNDATION into international acclaim. Fox has continued working with GROUNDATION on their subsequent releases helping to shape their sound on We Free Again (2004), Upon The Bridge (2006), Here I Am (2009), Building An Ark (2012) and A Miracle (2014). Together they built a catalog of genre-bending, deep, progressive roots reggae music.

GROUNDATION’s visual artwork has also had a consistent look and feel headed by Giovanni Maki, Stafford's childhood friend. Giovanni has created the album graphics and visual designs for GROUNDATION from the group’s inception.

GROUNDATION has performed in over 35 countries on 5 continents. They have had a number of personnel changes over the years, but with Harrison Stafford at the helm, GROUNDATION continues to bring reggae into new worlds. Their last studio album, The Next Generation (2018) opens with a full jazz big band (featuring 12 horn players). This album won Reggae.fr's “Best Roots Reggae Album of 2018,” This award was voted on by over 16,000 media members, musicians, producers and fans.

GROUNDATION currently has extensive tour dates and festival engagements set up for the coming year in Europe and in South America. In May, GROUNDATION is scheduled to do a week and a half tour in Brazil and in July they have a six week tour in Europe followed by a month long European tour in October, 2022. The journey continues as GROUNDATION spreads their words and music to the four corners of the world.

"Hailing from beautiful San Diego. SM Familia is a collective of musicians all coming from different backgrounds to create a unique kind of latin reggae. With a full horn section led by some of the most avid brass players in SD, and the smooth vocal harmony stylings of the 3 vocalists, they blend a smooth latin rhythm with profound lyrics to create their latin/funk/cumbia sound in San Diego Reggae."

SM Familia is a San Diego based band striving to share their unique sound to new audiences around the world. The group effortlessly blends latin, reggae, funk, and cumbia providing a compelling rhythmic groove. Their music is filled with positive, uplifting, and consious lyrics in both Spanish and English. The bands stage presence and energy is sure to get the crowd moving at any venue. They have shared the stage with Studio 1 artists such as General Smiley, Sister Nancy, Chronixx, Tribal Seeds, Fortunate Youth, Hirie all the way to SD legends like Maiz and B*Side Players. The bands first EP "La Familia" debuted in July of 2014 and has been praised for its originality and contagious sound."La Familia" was also nominated for an San Diego Music Award for "Best World Album. The group has ventured outside of San Diego this year with shows in Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, and other parts of California. SM Familia! Para la gente! For the people!