Doubling as a platform for activism, the music of Fela Kuti was a unique blend of jazz, funk, and African influences. Performed by an African big-band of unusual instrumentation, Fela’s music rolled out in an extended, hypnotic fashion. His political vocals fell somewhere between melody and musical speech. While the Afrobeat music of Nigeria’s Fela Kuti remains singularly unique, it typically fails to gain deserved attention in the world of modern-day performance.
Join us for a rare opportunity to hear this music authentically reproduced. Originally sponsored by the University of Michigan “MCube” initiative, this performance unites UofM faculty & musicians from the Flint and Ann Arbor campuses with local professionals. The project, led by Brian DiBlassio, is based on note-for-note transcriptions of Fela’s work, with our featured artist from Cincinnati, Baoku Moses, performing the role of Fela. Ensemble members include trumpeter Ingrid Racine, tenor saxophonist Andrew Bishop, baritone saxophonist Alex Harding, guitarist Ray Ureña, bassist Ben Rolston, percussionist Jonathan Ovalle, conga player Owl DiBlassio, and Brian DiBlassio on keyboards.