Calling all P.Y.T.s!

Photo by Kenneth Aaron

Put on your dancing shoes for an Afrobeat concert inspired by Michael Jackson’s music. Innovative Portland-based composer Ben Darwish will lead a ten-piece band interpret Jackson’s songs using Afrobeat techniques popularized by Fela Kuti. Featuring members of COMMOTION, with Tahirah Memory and Gretchen Mitchell on vocals, master African drummer Neindow Mashud, who frequently performs with Obo Addy, and DJ Dundiggy. Don’t stop till you get enough!

Featuring:

Gretchen Mitchell, vocals
Tahirah Memory, vocals
Brooks Barnett, trumpet
Tim Willcox, sax
Mary Sue Tobin, bari sax
Cameron Morgan, guitar
Ben Darwish, keys
Sam Howard, bass
Neindow Mashud, percussion
Ji Tanzer, drums

Press Quotes:

“It was, after all a mere piece of technically prodigious musical whimsy: dance meeting dance on the floor.”
-Willamette Week

“The groove was only about 20 seconds old when the first hardy soul took to the dance floor Monday night at The Works. And as he waved his arms to encourage the rest of the seated crowd, it was as if the principal had just granted the student body permission to let loose. The open area in front of the stage in this old high school auditorium filled suddenly, and stayed that way through the 90-minute-long Afrobeat tribute to Michael Jackson that closed the Labor Day weekend on a celebratory note for the ongoing Time-Based Art Festival.”
-The Oregonian

“Darwish’s ensemble was pretty amazing with a bold horn section and spot on rhythm. Darwish, for his part, directed them well, jumping around the stage and coaxing them on. His arrangements were fantastic and it was cool to hear Jackson’s work pulled, stretched, and wrapped around afrobeat rythyms. For instance, phrases from “Smooth Criminal” would be repeated by the horn section while the syncopated beat pumped away, or Darwish would slowly sing the lyrics of Billy Jean in deep Fela Kuti baritone while the fantastic back-up singers responded in classic afrobeat style. It worked both as a live mash-up, and the collaboration you never knew you always wanted to hear.”
-Portland Mercury

WATCH THE PROMO VIDEO

PLEASE FILL OUT THE CONTACT FORM FOR BOOKING INFO

CHECK OUT THE AFROBEAT TRIBUTE TO MICHAEL JACKSON [EPK]

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.