Santa Cruz Roots Reggae Band Ancestree Brings Message of Unity to San Jose 4/20 Festival

Ancestree has been devoted to the authentic sounds of 1970s reggae for over a decade, spreading joy and heritage through their music.

Apr. 15, 2026 at 6:52am

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An abstract, minimalist illustration featuring bold, jagged shapes in shades of green and yellow, conceptually representing the roots reggae music and multicultural influences of the band Ancestree.Ancestree's roots reggae sound and message of unity will bring a vibrant, multicultural energy to the 420 in the Park Celebration in San Jose.Santa Cruz Today

Santa Cruz roots reggae band Ancestree is set to perform at the 420 in the Park Celebration in downtown San Jose on April 18th. Formed in 2010, Ancestree has built a loyal following by staying true to the roots reggae sound and message of unity, while also incorporating their own multicultural influences and perspectives into their music.

Why it matters

Ancestree's performance at the popular 4/20 festival in San Jose provides an opportunity for the band to share their authentic reggae sound and message with a wider audience. As a Santa Cruz-based group, Ancestree also aims to highlight the changing landscape of their local community and the importance of preserving cultural heritage and values.

The details

Ancestree, a seven to nine-piece roots reggae band, has been grinding and putting in the labor of love for the music since their early days playing $200 gigs opening for reggae legends like Black Uhuru, Michael Rose, and Israel Vibrations. The band, led by guitarist and vocalist Tomás (Gomez), is devoted to the sounds of early 1970s reggae, with a focus on themes of unity, heritage, and social consciousness. Ancestree's music incorporates the band members' own multicultural backgrounds, including Jicarilla-Apache and New Mexican influences.

  • Ancestree formed in Santa Cruz in 2010.
  • The band will perform at the 420 in the Park Celebration in downtown San Jose on April 18, 2026 from 2pm-9pm.

The players

Ancestree

A Santa Cruz-based roots reggae band that has been devoted to the authentic sounds of 1970s reggae music for over a decade, spreading a message of unity, heritage, and social consciousness through their music.

Tomás (Gomez)

The guitarist and lead vocalist of Ancestree, who brings the band's Jicarilla-Apache and New Mexican cultural influences into their roots reggae sound.

Christopher 'Smiley' Carr

The bassist for Ancestree, who also works at Moe's Alley in Santa Cruz and has been with the band since their early days playing opening gigs for reggae legends.

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What they’re saying

“We're not trying to be anything we're not. We respect the reggae culture. We respect the heritage and the legacy of Jamaican music and Jamaican artists.”

— Christopher 'Smiley' Carr, Bassist, Ancestree

“We use music as a platform to express ourselves artistically, but also try to heighten the awareness of the audience in such a way like that it's coming from the heart and goes to the heart.”

— Christopher 'Smiley' Carr, Bassist, Ancestree

What’s next

Ancestree will take the stage at the 420 in the Park Celebration in downtown San Jose on April 18, 2026 from 2pm-9pm. Tickets are available at mitpsj.com/420-in-the-park/april18.

The takeaway

Ancestree's commitment to preserving the authentic roots reggae sound and message of unity, while also incorporating their own multicultural influences, has helped the Santa Cruz band build a loyal following over the past 16 years. Their performance at the 4/20 festival in San Jose will allow them to share this message with a wider audience.