The Brand New Life Plays Durty Durham

The Brand New Life headlined Friday (5/3) at Durty Durham's Pinhook fundraiser. (For supporting band The Black Experience, see yesterday's blog post.)

The Brand New Life at The Pinhook

Greensboro is some kind of strange rhythm nexus, attracting more than your average share of griots, drum classes, and African and Brazilian percussion specialists. In fact, all across the state, from Asheville's Toubab Krewe, to Greensboro's Africa Unplugged, and Carrboro's Diali Cissokho & Kaira Ba, Africa/North Carolina hybrids are springing up like a cottage industry.

The Brand New Life belongs to Greensboro's gems. "Impossible to pigeonhole" has become a popular moniker for out-of-the-way bands, but:  "Does several things very well that don't traditionally go together," better describes The Brand New Life. As the set started out Friday, they showed their  free jazz, skronk funk side. "Just wait," I told some friends at the bar. Sure enough, they pulled out their heavy West African grooves next. In its history, the group has worked closely with musicians from Senegal, and musicians on the autism spectrum, both of whom released special synergies in the collective.

Sean Smith and Evan Frierson

Walter Fancourt and Seth Barden

Getting up to date with BNL's personnel changes during the past year:   Tama drummer Mamadou Mbengue just left the area in March for Chicago, but percussionist and co-founder Evan Frierson has taken on the instrument, also called a talking drum. Scott Johnson plays congas since September, 2012, and electric guitarist Will Darity is a full-time member since June 2012, around the time of saxophonist and co-founder Casey Cranbrook's departure. Trumpeter Sean Smith (2006-2010 member of Asheville's Afromotive) holds up the horn harmonies now with tenor saxophonist and co-founder Walter Fancourt. Two more original members remain intact: Seth Barden (electric and upright bass), and Daniel Yount (trapset drums).


Will Darity


Daniel Yount

My video clip from Friday night shows Frierson ascending the stage for a talking drum cameo, followed by smoking horn solos from Fancourt and Smith, on an Afrobeat tune entitled "Everybody Like You, Boy."

It's an original tune, based on a traditional Senegalese tama/sabar rhythm. Made more Afrobeat by The Brand New Life.   (--BNL trapset drummer Daniel Yount)

Evan Frierson

Seth Barden and Will Darity

Links:

The Brand New Life, artist website

The Black Experience @ Durty Durham 5.3.13

The Black Experience, one of North Carolina's most forward-thinking jazz combos, took the stage at The Pinhook Friday night at the Durty Durham art collective's "Hyperspring" fundraiser.

The Black Experience likes to jam long in an open-ended way, pushing canonical jazz through a prism of contemporary and popular references, from Ray Charles to Black Sabbath. What we heard Friday might be the zenith of what they've accomplished so far. Leading one to ask:  Can The Black Experience get any better? I think it's safe to say that The Black Experience will go on and on, getting better and better, with something important to communicate.


Larry "Q" Draughan and Will Darity 


Ernest A. Turner II

Collectively, it's a band with deep North Carolina roots, impeccable musical pedigrees, and a huge reservoir of experience as educators, sidemen and bandleaders at the area's top jazz institutions and venues. The co-founders of the project are William Darity, electric guitar, Larry Q. Draughan Jr., drums, and Ernest A. Turner II, piano/organ. We also heard Brian Horton on sax and flute, and a special drop-in guest, Lynn Grissett on trumpet. (Educated at NC Central, Grissett travels out of town a lot with Prince. Yes, that Prince.)


Prince sideman Lynn Grissett sitting in with The Black Experience.

Here's some video of Grissett called on stage to solo with The Black Experience. Also features solos by Brian Horton on flute, and Larry "Q" Draughan on drums:






Among the local artists and musicians who turned out for The Black Experience: vocalist Kim Arrington, keyboardist Victor Moore and visual activist Luis Franco.

Kairaba @ Haw River Ballroom (9/14)

Kairaba's September 14 show at Haw River Ballroom in Saxapahaw was a benefit for women's farm coops in the Central African Republic. If you're looking for backstory, my feature about Diali Cissokho & Kairaba appeared in the Indy recently.


Diali Cissokho and Austin McCall



It was a great show and event, with other presentations by artists and community organizers. This was one of my favorite moments, when Diali and John Westmoreland exchanged musical dialogue between the kora and guitar:




Jonathan Henderson and Will Ridenour

Here's a montage of two more song clips from the concert:



It's great to see this band continue to thrive, I can't even keep up with all their gigs lately. Good news: they plan to visit Diali's home in Senegal and play some shows there in December.

BAMP Fundraiser Tonight (4/16)

The Bonjour Africa Malaria Project annual fundraiser takes place tonight, Saturday (4/16) at the Freelon Group in Durham. $25 admission for the dinner dance and silent auction; proceeds go to purchase mosquito nets to prevent malaria in Senegal.

Can't attend? Make an online donation at the Bonjour Africa website.

The project is spearheaded by WNCU deejay Bouna Ndiaye, host of the weekly African music show "Bonjour Africa," Sundays 4-6 pm on WNCU 90.7 FM-Durham.

Salsa & Charanga @ UNC THIS WEEKEND

POST UPDATED 3/26: check out this excellent short documentary about Charanga Carolina by Samantha Lapinsky. The documentary starts at minute 1:16:




_________________


Charanga Carolina, harpist Pavelid Castañeda and Orquesta GarDel are all making appearances at UNC this weekend, at two different concerts happening Friday (3/25) and Saturday (3/26). Both events take place at 7 pm in the Kenan Music Building Rehearsal Hall.



Friday's concert features two sets of dance music by the Charanga, and a solo set by Colombian harpist Pavelid. This benefit for the Scholars' Latino Initiative program has a $7 door.

Saturday's show is a double-bill salsa dance party with Charanga and Orquesta GarDel. Co-sponsor Mambo Dinamico celebrates its 9th anniversary with live dance performances. Door price is $10.

MORE INFO On Facebook, "Charanga Carolina"

As a warmup, here's video of Charanga Carolina's last concert in February. The group combined with the UNC jazz band here, and features special guest Conrad Herwig on trombone:

El Centro Hispano Benefit @ Casbah FRIDAY (3/25)

Casbah hosts a benefit for Durham's El Centro Hispano today starting this afternoon at 3:30 pm, with live capoeira dancers, a crafts bazaar, salsa lessons and DJ'ed dance party extending into the evening until 2 am:



DJ Steven Feinberg and DJ Alvaro, Grupo Capoeira Brasil are featured.

All proceeds benefit El Centro; $15 door.

El Centro Hispano is currently the largest grassroots Latino organization in the state with an active membership base of more than 600 dues-paying members. Founded in 1992, the independent non-profit provides programs and services to more than 5,000 community members annually.

MORE INFO: Casbah event link here

Trova's Redhead & The Latin Project: SATURDAY (12/4)

Olguita Morales Serrano, "La Pelirroja de la Trova"

A special musical guest from Puerto Rico livens up the NC Assoc. de PR Unidos' Christmas Party this Saturday (12/4): Olguita Ramos, a direct descendent of one Puerto Rico's most esteemed musical families. Known artistically as "the redheaded troubadour" ("La Pelirroja de la Trova"), Olga is the niece of Ramito, and daughter of Luisito Morales Ramos, two of the island's most legendary singers of traditional highland poetry known as trova or música jibara.

In addition, salsa band The Latin Project, with members from The Triangle, Charlotte, and Columbia, SC, will keep the dancefloor jumping. Led by local trumpet virtuoso Alberto Carrasquillo, Latin Project is a band that we don't get to hear often enough, since their gigs tend to center in the Charlotte area.



In the holiday spirit, the PR Unidos Association is collecting donations of unwrapped toys at this event to benefit local children. Tickets are $20, available in advance online, and at the Havana Grill restaurant in Cary, and El Coqui restaurant in Holly Springs.


Olga Morales has performed extensively at festivals, private events, and on Puerto Rican radio and TV. She grew up singing with her father, Luisito, one of three musical brothers. Of the trio, Flor Morales Ramos, known simply as "Ramito," is without a doubt the island's most famous and beloved troubadour. A third brother, Juan, was known as "Moralito, and the three enjoyed solo careers as well as creating joint projects, well into their later years. Olga's father Luisito was the last survivor, until he passed away in June 2009.

Trovadores specialize in a declamatory singing style of improvised verses with strict formal rules, called décima. Its roots go back to Puerto Rico's agrarian origins, and the Andalucian farmers who settled there.

Here's Olga's father, Luisito, singing a tribute to his brother, Ramito, at a 2002 festival in his honor. The band is Joaquin Mouliert y sus Ecos de la Montaña:



Here is the same band again, playing live in Christmas parade. Trova music is especially associated with the holidays in Puerto Rico, and a distinct carolling tradition known as parranda. In this 1987 video, Luisito sings first (in the hat with heavy red-sequinned border), followed by his brother Ramito (wearing glasses). Check out these great views of Puerto Rico, as the band drives slowly down city streets accompanied by horsemen (caballistas):




It should be fascinating to witness the next generation of this revered lineage of Puerto Rican singers right here in Chapel Hill on Saturday.

LINKS:

Associacion de Puertorriqueños Unidos de NC - Events Calendar
History of Puerto Rican Trova (Spanish)
Olguita Morales artist webpage (Spanish)

Dancing to Rebuild: Resurrection Dance Theater of Haiti

The Resurrection Dance Theater of Haiti makes three stops in the Triangle this weekend, offering rare opportunities for cultural exchange while gathering donations to rebuild homes there.


Resurrection Dance Theater of Haiti

Friday (9/17):

8 pm, Stewart Theatre @ NC State in Raleigh: "Haitian Celebration!" Free, ticketed event. Hearts with Haiti will accept donations at the door.

Saturday (9/18):

11:30 am - 1:30 pm, The Ark, Duke East Campus in Durham: Masterclasses on Haitian drumming and dancing. Free and open to the public. Participants may RSVP to: mmsauls@duke.edu

Sunday (9/19):

4 pm, Reynolds Theater, Duke West Campus in Durham: Benefit Concert. Admission: $10 (discounts available). Duke box office: 684-4444 or online at tickets.duke.edu

Haiti Fundraiser TONIGHT @ Cuban Revolution

CORRECTION: Cuban Revolution will donate $5 per person making a donation of $5 or more.

This just in: Cuban Revolution Restaurant in Durham will be MATCHING ALL DONATIONS collected tonight for Haiti at the weekly salsa party. This is a no cover party, 9 pm - 1 am, so all your money goes to fund earthquake relief.

Good excuse to come out and dance, and make your donation count a little extra. If you can't make it tonight, consider donating at one of the links below.

Newsfeed: Haitifeed.com

Links to donate:

1. Donate through Wyclef Jean's foundation, Yele Haiti. Text "Yele" to 501501 and $5 will be charged to your phone bill and given to relief projects through the organization.

2. The American Red Cross is pledging an initial $200,000 to assist communities impacted by this earthquake. They expect to provide immediate needs for food, water, temporary shelter, medical services and emotional support. They are accepting donations through their International Response Fund.

3. UNICEF has issued a statement that "Children are always the most vulnerable population in any natural disaster, and UNICEF is there for them." UNICEF requests donations for relief for children in Haiti via their Haiti Earthquake Fund. You can also call 1-800-4UNICEF.


Thanks to Eduardo at Paso for passing along this info.

Food Drive & Good Vibes THURSDAY

Mosaic Fall Music Fest is on through the weekend, and Thursday (10/8) is Noche Latina with live music at 8 pm by Guillo Carias Trio and DJ Steven Feinberg. No cover.

Meanwhile "Dance for Hunger," a month-long food drive organized by local salsa and swing dancers, will collect donations for the Food Bank of Central & Eastern Carolina at this event. A list of most needed items is on the Food Bank website.

The campaign has been very successful so far, so if you are able, please join the party and bring a can of food or other item to donate.

It has been phenomenal to see the Triangle dance community coming together and using that positive energy that comes from dance to impact the community at large. Appreciation to all the instructors, venues, dancers and volunteers who are making the collection possible!

UPDATE: a few photos from Noche Latina @ Mosaic 10/8

Flamenco on a Flatbed

Yes, one more video of Ed Stephenson & Paco Band...with a different lineup this time. This is regular percussionist Sara Romweber, rather than Beverly Botsford, and Ryan Johnson, rather than Peewee "Poquitico" Watson on bass.

I'll be honest, I miss Beverly and Peewee, but this is how the regular lineup sounds playing Sting covers on a flatbed stage:


[VIDEO]

The good cause was a barbecue chicken dinner to benefit an afterschool program for Latino children. As soon as I get a contact from the church for volunteers, I'll pass it along.

BAMP African Dinner Dance Malaria Benefit SATURDAY (4/25)

The most fun you can have while doing good: Bonjour Africa's 6th annual African Dinner Dance to benefit malaria prevention in Africa. Your tax-deductible $30 at the door ($25 in advance) gets you a home-cooked dinner of Senegalese food, music by WNCU deejay Bouna Ndiaye, dance performances by Paso and others, and a silent auction. All proceeds go to purchase and distribute effective malaria interventions through a locally based healthcare network in Linguere, Senegal.

WHAT: Bonjour Africa Malaria Project - African Dinner Dance
WHEN: Saturday (4/25), 7pm - 12 midnight
WHERE: Durham Armory, 220 Foster St, downtown Durham
Cost: $30 door (advance $25) minimum tax-deductible donation

MORE INFO: contact Bouna Ndiaye at bonjourafrica@hotmail.com or (919) 215-4765.

Bouna is the host of WNCU's Bonjour Africa which airs Sundays 4-6 pm.

Here is a great story in the News & Observer last year on the BAMP African Dinner Dance.

Captain Luke at the MusicMaker Showcase

The MusicMaker Relief Foundation, a Hillsborough organization that aids North Carolina blues musicians, had its usual blues showcase at Shakori on Saturday. John Dee Holeman was there, among others, including one of my favorite gentlemen, the deep-voiced Captain Luke.









Dig that old Shakori wristband decorating his cap! They say the "L" around his neck stands for "Love." Captain Luke is all right.

Links:

Enhance your Captain Luke knowledge with this audio piece and slide show by Richard Ziglar and Barry Yeoman. (link added 5/10/09)

update

Click here to see updated post on the 2/7 "Love in the Tropics" benefit at the Museum of Natural Science featuring Saludos Company. See photos from the party and meet a musician new to the Triangle, Victor Murillo.

"Love in the Tropics" Salsa Benefit TONIGHT (2/7)

Saludos Compay is made up of teachers, so its only natural they would perform at the annual benefit for Educators for Excellence at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences in Raleigh this Saturday (2/7). The fundraiser is billed as an "adults only, romantic evening" that includes music, salsa dancing, silent auction, tattoo parlor and other fun for grownups.

WHAT: "Love in the Tropics" fundraiser for Educators for Excellence
WHEN: Saturday, 2/7 at 7:30-10:30 p.m.
WHERE: NC Museum of Natural Sciences, 11 W. Jones St, Raleigh
TICKETS: $20 adults ($15 for friends of the Museum)
CONTACT: Liz Baird, 919.733.7450 x601

Saludos' newsletter says they will perform various types of Latin music as a quartet, with musicians Erich Lieth (piano), [CORRECTION added 2/16: Chuck Nolan played congas, Pablo Valencia did not perform], Lisa Lindsay (saxophone), and Victor Murillo. Wesley Boz of Mad About Dance is slated to give a salsa lesson, and Paso dancers Eduardo Winston will lead a demo with their students, pledging to get the audience involved.


UPDATE Added 2/16:

Some photos from the party (click on to see larger):




Chuck Nolan (in his Obama logo hat) makes the most of his set up, with a block pedal for marking clave.


I got to meet Victor Murillo for the first time (seen here on guitar, with Lisa Lindsay, saxophone). The Ecuadorian multi-instrumentalist moved to Chapel Hill last year from Austin, TX and has been playing with Saludos Compay since August.

Victor retains some high-profile gigs as a sideman, touring with artists such as Mexican pop vocalist Christian Castro. He has his own series of New Age/Andean CDs, and provides music at various restaurants around Durham. You can find Victor at Blue Corn on Tuesday nights until 8:30 pm, and Tosca's on Wednesdays until 9 pm. Find out more at his myspace page.

Burritos con Salsa (12/2)

Just added to the calendar: Saludos Compay is playing a Burrito Bash Benefit at the Pittsboro General Store tonight. $15 at the door gets you a burrito dinner, salsa lesson at 6 pm, and live dance music at 7pm. You can also take part in live and silent auctions later in the evening.

Proceeds benefit two Chatham County non-profits: El Vínculo Hispano/Hispanic Liason, and Shakori Hills.

See OC calendar for details!

Backstory: Read about Saludos Compay at the Carrboro Music Fest.