BRASSAFRIK 'Move your ass & the rest will follow!'

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• BRASSAFRIK (African percussion & solid horn section)

• country:
  Belgium
• region or city:
  Central Europe
• style(s):
  Instrumental Percussion
• label:
  A-Shams
• type:
  Band
• instrumentation:
  instrumental
• artist submitted by:
  MET-X Moving Music

BRASSAFRIK, a MET-X project of Babs Jobo (talking drum) and Stefaan Blancke (trombone) represents the musical exchange between Africa and the rest of the world. In this band, musicians turn the African rhythms into poly-layered patterns with an
exceptional groove. The surprising timing of the extrovert horn section refers to traditional African question-and-answer designs as well as to pounding afrobeat, highlife and European brass tunes.

Ever since they met on the scene of the Belgian Afrobeat Association and Wawadadakwa, Babs and Stefaan were hatching a plot to start up a project that would create an energetic clash between percussion and brass. The ultimate recipe for this steaming melting pot: compositions of both musicians carrying the traces of their musical paths. When MET-X provided a solid foundation for production, the duo set up a
massive band. BRASSAFRIK was born and keen to be heard. West African rhythms flow seamlessly together with the tight pulses of the brass riffs that set alight this impressive crowd. Armed with copper, leather and wood, BRASSAFRIK organically progresses while hitting the scenes of many festivals and street celebrations. When on top of that the band adds a solid pinch of African dance to the whole on the pretext of 'Move your ass
and the rest will follow', there is just no escape to this whirling party

Brassafrik released its first album in April 2010 on the MET-X label 'A-Shams'. In very little time, the band built up a solid live reputation. In 2010, they won the audience prize of the festival of international street Music 'Haizetara' in the Spanish Basque country. In 2011 they toured in the UK for the Durham Brass Festival. Brassafrik is also planning to perform beyond the EU: in 2012 the musicians will travel to Ghana for a new project.
But until then, they will continue to tear the roof off with their massive sound

Babs Jobo: tama, djembe, lead vocals
Bode Owa: doun doun, backing vocals
Lezin Mpoutou: djembe, lolo, likembe, congas, backing vocals
Adama Kanoute: doun solo, ngoni, backing vocals
Zulema Hechevarria Blanco: bells, shekere, backing vocals
Stefaan Blancke: trombone
Dirk Timmermans: trumpet
Lot Vandekeybus: tenor tuba
Mbalia Ture / Aminata Ture: dance
Berlinde Deman: tuba
Luc Mishalle: tenor & soprano saxophone
Ludovic Jeanmart: alto & en soprano saxophone

Links

• Brassafrik Myspace
• Brassafrik is a production of MET-X