NEXT Friday marks the 64th birthday of the Jamaican singer-songwriter Bob Nesta Marley, the musical legend who left an indelible mark on the world music scene, helping to expose reggae music to a wide and adoring audience.

In celebration of the day, 441 Productions is hosting a tribute concert featuring Exodus, a five-piece band based in Toronto.

Held at Kaleidoscope Art Foundation in Devonshire, the concert will also include local talent Troy Anthony and local DJs who will warm up the crowd with their dedication to the influential musician who died of cancer in 1981.

"Exodus travels the world doing their 'Tribute to Bob Marley' and will play two, 45-minute sets," Andrew Holmes, managing director of 441 Productions, said.

"Those who attend are in for a special night – not only will you have live music recreating the sounds of Bob and the Island's top DJs we will also have visuals on the big screen as well."

The night will be complete with two large bars, Jamaican Grill, Churchill's Cigars and a Bob Marley memorabilia vendor.

For those loyal Marley fans who want to do something special to commemorate the legend's birthday, the event is an appropriate tribute. The February 6 event also gives back to Bermuda in that part of the proceeds will go towards funding Kaleidoscope Foundation, the first art collective guild in Bermuda.

"I think it will be very spiritual to have an event of this magnitude on Marley's birthday," said Mr. Holmes. "It's an event where Bob fans from all over the Island can come and pay their respects to the Prophet."

The tribute band is named after Marley's 1977 album Exodus, which Time magazine voted "the most important album of the 20th century".

This will be the group's first visit to Bermuda and they will also back up Bermudian singer Troy Anthony, who will not only perform some of Marley's songs but also some original material. Featured local DJs include Blackstar, Herbalist Supreme, Jugglin J, Magic Young Guns and Vybe Alliance.

441 Productions has hosted several popular and successful events in the past few months, including Lucky 13, the cover band act featured during the World Rugby Classic and, most recently, Rob Garrett and the King of Diamonds band, a Neil Diamond tribute group.

"To date, we have been blessed with many successful events under our belt and many more events in the pipeline," Mr. Holmes said.

"We have done a variety of genres of music and reached an audience of Bermudians and expats from young teenagers to senior citizens. Each and every event we do is for charity and that is important for people to remember that they are supporting a cause every time they come to one of our events."

Most of 441 Productions' concert events have featured a tribute band, which is different from a cover band in that the principal musicians also dress and sound like the original musical group, creating a thoroughly enjoyable experience, says Mr. Holmes, for those that cannot travel or afford to go to the "real" thing.

"Tributes work well for Bermuda," he said.

"You can not see the real U2 here in Bermuda and you can never see the Beatles or Bob Marley. We have to do events that suit the scale of Bermuda. We do not have the budget of the Bermuda Music Festival that can attract headliners and we rely on the support we get from sponsors to make these events happen."

Next up for 441 Productions is the Shamrock and Roll2 in Barrs Bay Park, presented by Flanagan's Irish Pub and Restaurant on Friday and Saturday, March 13 and 14, respectively. Several bands will be featured that weekend, including the return of Lucky 13; Elevation, a U2 tribute band and Coldplayers, a Coldplay tribute band.

Tickets for the Bob Marley tribute concert are still available at iStore, All Wrapped Up and Jamaican Grill. Email 441productionsbermuda.com or call 599-1441 for more information.