Reggae legend Eek-A-Mouse to play Event Center

It is not only Eek-A-Mouse’s height, at 6 feet 6 inches, that makes him one of Jamaica’s biggest talents. He has created a style all his own and gone on to become something of an international phenomenon quite apart from the rest of the world of reggae. He is one of the early artists to be described as a “singjay,” a style that combines reggae with rap and hip-hop.

Born Ripton Joseph Hylton, his stage name was originally that of a racehorse upon which he frequently lost money; when the horse finally won a race, he had, of course, refused to back it.

“My Father’s Land” and “Creation,” his first two releases, came out under his real name in the mid-1970s while he was still in college, and were produced by his math teacher. In 1980, he started recording with Joe Gibbs after working briefly with the Papa Roots, Black Ark, Gemini, Jah Life, Black Scorpio and Virgo sound systems. He has recorded more than a dozen discs and several compilations and tours regularly. More information can be found at www.eeksperience.com or www.myspace.com/officialeekamouse

Eek-A-Mouse and special guest Ma Barley will perform at 9 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21, at the Astoria Event Center, 894 Commercial St. The concert is for ages 18 and older. Tickets are $20, available at Fort George Brewery, Lucy’s Books and The Shipyard in Astoria, Cleanline Surf in Seaside, Red Dog Tattoo in Long Beach, Wash., and at the door. For more information, call (503) 325-8657.