A wonderful breeze was blowing as Africa Brass took the stage. The African drums mixed with the sousaphone, saxophone, and slide trombone were very energetic and engaging. There were people in the crowd dancing to the rhythms, and the powerful vocals of Ras Chemas added an additional depth to the music. Thierno Dioubate was commanding on the djembe (African drum) and playfully engaged the audience. The sousaphone’s (Jason Jurzak) and dun dun’s (Jeff "Papa Frog" Klein) deep tones were a nice backdrop to the lighter ones of the saxophone (Tim Green) and trombone (Charles Joseph). The blend of African drums and the jazz flavor of the horns were a great mix given the history of African music in New Orleans and New Orleans being the birthplace of jazz. The audience especially enjoyed Africa Brass rendition of Little Liza Jane and sang and danced along with this upbeat version. Africa Brass repetoire consists of music by Coltrane, Mardi Gras Injuns, and traditional African/New Orleans melodies, with improvisational horn arrangements, backed by an intense, and seductive West African rhythm section.
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On the beautiful, shaded, outdoor patio area of Mojitos, Africa Brass engaged the crowd with their blend of African drums, jazz horns and melodic vocals. Ras Chemas was able to walk and sing among the crowd making it a much more personal performance. The setting was a nice respite from the hustle and bustle of the festival. It was an intimate venue where the audience felt as if they too were a part of the music. I left with the rhythmic tunes and haunting vocals drifting through my mind as I made my way home from this my first, but certainly not my last French Quarter Fest.
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Ras Chemas invited members of Africa Brass to come play at Community Book
Center for his Healing Humanity Music peformance. A large crowd filled the
book store to be entertained by Africa Brass and to be fed by Ras Chemas.
Ras also sang a couple of songs with Africa Brass which was a special treat
for all. Everyone enjoyed the music and the wonderful food. It was a very
special evening at a special location. A nice prelude to Jazz Fest.
Reply
Africa Brass / Blog
Latin World Stage
A wonderful breeze was blowing as Africa Brass took the stage. The African drums mixed with the sousaphone, saxophone, and slide trombone were very energetic and engaging. There were people in the crowd dancing to the rhythms, and the powerful vocals of Ras Chemas added an additional depth to the music. Thierno Dioubate was commanding on the djembe (African drum) and playfully engaged the audience. The sousaphone’s (Jason Jurzak) and dun dun’s (Jeff "Papa Frog" Klein) deep tones were a nice backdrop to the lighter ones of the saxophone (Tim Green) and trombone (Charles Joseph). The blend of African drums and the jazz flavor of the horns were a great mix given the history of African music in New Orleans and New Orleans being the birthplace of jazz. The audience especially enjoyed Africa Brass rendition of Little Liza Jane and sang and danced along with this upbeat version. Africa Brass repetoire consists of music by Coltrane, Mardi Gras Injuns, and traditional African/New Orleans melodies, with improvisational horn arrangements, backed by an intense, and seductive West African rhythm section.
Reply
Mojito's
On the beautiful, shaded, outdoor patio area of Mojitos, Africa Brass engaged the crowd with their blend of African drums, jazz horns and melodic vocals. Ras Chemas was able to walk and sing among the crowd making it a much more personal performance. The setting was a nice respite from the hustle and bustle of the festival. It was an intimate venue where the audience felt as if they too were a part of the music. I left with the rhythmic tunes and haunting vocals drifting through my mind as I made my way home from this my first, but certainly not my last French Quarter Fest.
Reply
Africa Brass Performance at Community Book Center
Ras Chemas invited members of Africa Brass to come play at Community Book Center for his Healing Humanity Music peformance. A large crowd filled the book store to be entertained by Africa Brass and to be fed by Ras Chemas. Ras also sang a couple of songs with Africa Brass which was a special treat for all. Everyone enjoyed the music and the wonderful food. It was a very special evening at a special location. A nice prelude to Jazz Fest.
Reply