Africa Brass & OTRA
Africa Brass & OTRA joining forces to create AfroCubaNola Jam.
April 15 at 9:00 PM
May 6 at 10:00 PM
AfricaNola presents, on the last night of Jazz Fest 2012, Africa Brass & OTRA joining forces to create AfroCubaNola Jam.
From the African villages to the Cuban barrios, it’s going to be redpepper hot when African percussionist Thierno Dioubate -Africa Brass and Cuban percussionist Alexi Marti of OTRA share the stage during the AfroCubaNola Jam, Sunday, May 6, 10 p.m. at Café Istanbul in the New Orleans Healing Center.
Africa Brass
Africa Brass is led by master percussionist Thierno Dioubate of Guinea, West Africa, joined by the ensemble of Tim Green-sax, Scott Inman-sousaphone, Byron Asher-clarinet ,Mark McGrain-trombone, Jeff “ P’frog” Klein- African drums/percussion, and featuring the powerful vocals of Michaela Harrison. Based in New Orleans, but consisting of musicians from all over the globe, this seven-member musical ensemble is made up of dedicated artists as eclectic as its sound. West African drumming, connecting with American Jazz, and ultimately falling in love with New Orleans Brass – Africa Brass’ music represents one of the most innovative manifestations of this marriage of brass and drums. In many respects, this expressively modern group, represents the continued lineage that has long linked New Orleans and the African continent. The elements of the band that speak most strongly of the African/New Orleans connection are the shared rhythms and the deep sense of spirituality. This has generated an ardent following for the band from their early days
to the present.
OTRA
Otra has been on the scene in New Orleans since 2002, when bassist Sam Price (Honey Island Swamp Band) fell under the spell of the syncopated rhythms of Cuban music. Having previously played with other area Latin bands such as Fredy Omar con su Banda, Acoustic Swiftness (now Vivaz), and Elegant Gypsy, Price was inspired to create a group that would combine jazz improvisation with traditional Afro-Cuban rhythms in the style of Mongo Santamaria, Tito Puente, Cachao, and the Fort Apache Band. OTRA is represented today by some of New Orleans most talented musicians, including Brent Rose (saxophones), Leon 'Kid Chocolate' Brown (trumpet), Eduardo Tozzatto (piano), Michael Skinkus (timbales), Gabriel Velasco (percussion), and featuring Alexei Marti on congas.
