Saxophonist John Dierker photo by Calvin Tullos
The Baltimore Afrobeat Society performances on December 11th and 12th, 2009 at the 5th Dimension were a great success. We sold out the place both nights and had to turn people away (sorry to those who couldn’t get in)! All of the musicians (we had 23 musicians for these gigs) brought their A Games and the crowds were very spirited and high energy both nights.
The Baltimore Afrobeat Society pays tribute to the music of Fela Kuti. Fela Kuti was the pioneer of what he called “Afrobeat”, a mix of American jazz and funk with West African “high life” and traditional rhythms. His bands were quite big with full horn and percussion sections and several back up singers and dancers. Fela’s lyrics were very political as he was also an activist and political leader. Although many of his lyrics were specific to his situation in Nigeria at the time, they tend to be universal and still have weight and meaning today.
Zak Fusciello photo by E. Franklin
Fela is the subject of a current broadway production simply called FELA!. A film of Fela’s life, to be directed by Steve McQueen, is also in the works. I have not yet seen the broadway production but am looking forward to seeing it soon.
Stay tuned for more info on Fela and some lessons and transcriptions of his incredible drummer, Tony Allen.
photo by E. Franklin
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