International Grooves World Music Series! July 2012

 

 

What: DiverseArts presents The Summer 2012 International Grooves Series


Who: Mohammed Firoozi and Friends (middle eastern fusion)
Executive Steel Band (steel pan, carribean and new orleans funk)
Zoumountchi (west african, reggae)


When: Friday July 13, 2012:
Gates and Djs at 6:00pm

Where: Kenny Dorham’s Backyard,
1106 East 11th St, Austin, TX 78702

Cost: $5 suggested donation, Kids free

Contact: Harold McMillan Director@diversearts.org


DiverseArts continues the roll-out of the 2012 Season of special live music and cultural events slated for Kenny Dorham’s Backyard, DiverseArts’ East 11th Street Arts Park.

 

Our mission to produce and present stellar cultural programs within the East Austin African American Cultural Heritage District. The International Grooves Series is our latest foray into celebrating the rich, multicultural mix of musical traditions found here in Austin.  The Series strives to bring together a melding of transcontinental musical styles in such a way that Austin’s various cultural communities are showcased through programming that honors tradition, and at the same time, encourages cross-cultural collaboration. Our goal for the Series is to provide opportunities for a wide range of culture-based musical styles to come together in performance, build community around collaboration and exposure/learning, and explore cross-cultural improvisation linking these cultural/ethnic communities through music. We’re bringing World Beat to East 11th Street! But are doing so with the notion that most of the music we will showcase is really transcontinental jazz.

 

We are honored to offer the first installment of the Series this Friday. The line-up truly fits the mission of the Series, and features sets by Mohammed Firoozi and Friends (middle eastern fusion), Executive Steel Band (steel pan, carribean and new orleans funk), Zoumountchi (west african, reggae).

 

We hope you will join us, tell your friends, and share in the great night of music!

 

Mohammed Firoozi and Friends

Mohammed Firoozi and Friends:

Mohammed Firoozi is perhaps best known these days as the front man and vocalist for the stellar group of international musicians known in Austin as Atash. After years of performing with Atash, the Gypsies, and numerous other ensembles as a member or guest artist, Mohammed Firoozi and Friends is “Mo’s” independent project: a mix of the traditional folk melodies, original tunes, and creative improvisation that has defined Mohammed’s presence on Austin stages for years.  Mohammed leads the ensemble, handling vocals on all tunes, and playing hand percussion on a range of material that represents his Iranian roots, the music of the Middle East, and various influences from around the world he has performed and studied for years. The sound-identity of this ensemble grows from the manner in which Mohammed Firoozi is able to seamlessly blend ancient and modern traditions, obliterating boundaries of any kind, and uniting his performers and audiences alike in something that is truly an international groove.

Site Link: http://www.atash.com/mohammed_firoozi.htm

The Executive Steel Band:

The Executive Steel Band is a Caribbean steel drum-centered ensemble performing a mix of traditional melodies and rhythms from Trinidad/Tobago and Jamaica, but infused with influences from New Orleans funk, jazz, Latin rhythms, and soul. Anchored by the steel pan as lead instrument, the band plays well-known standards of the genre, mixed with original tunes penned by the founder, bandleader and vocalist, Roland Lawes. Executive Steel’s instrumentation is rounded-out with drum set, additional percussion, bass guitar, and occasional guest instrumental soloists.

The band began in Lawes’ native New Orleans, did a brief stint in Nebraska post-Katrina, and for the past 2 years have come to call Austin home. Executive Steel Band has been making music for nearly a decade, appearing all over the country at concert halls, clubs, corporate events, including notable appearances New Orleans’ annual JazzFest.

Site Link: http://executivesteelband.com/roland.html

 

Zoumountchi

Zoumountchi is an Austin based band playing African music. Founded by Ibrahim Aminou, originally from Niger ( in West Africa), the band performs originals and arrangements of traditional African songs, very danceable and high energy.

Members:
Ibrahim Aminou, Kora Guitar, Percussion, Keyboards, Vocals, African Xylophone Mamadou Diate- Voice, Guitar
Chris Hausler- Drums
Jesse Crandall- Guitar
Site link: http://www.reverbnation.com/zoumountchi
 

 

Friday, July 13, 2012 - 6:00pm