Migration Awareness Day
Lekan Babalola’s Sacred Funk Project
‘Nigerian, Lekan Babalola, is one of the most extraordinary percussionists in world music and jazz today,’
Nick Gold, World Circuit Records
‘A wizard percussionist” - Washington Post
Lekan Babalola
Twice Grammy award winning Nigerian percussionist, Lekan Babalola, is internationally renowned for his innovative musical style, using his native Yoruba tongue infused with traditional music, Afrobeat and funky dance overtones.
Lekan started his career playing in the Yoruba Christian Church owned by his father. As custodians of Yoruba tradition his family taught him first hand Yoruba art and culture and this has influenced all his work .He also received a cultural and political apprenticeship from the late Fela Kuti. In 1980 he came to Britain and as his skills as a master percussionist grew was invited to join Gasper Lawal in 1982. He continued his career in New York as part of Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers and returned to the UK where he has performed with the likes of Ernest Ranglin, Branford Marsalis, and recently African Jazz All Stars, Roy Ayers, The Kate Luxmoore Group, David Byrne, Atomic Bomb!, Joshua Redman, Damon Albarn, Tony Allen, The KLLB Band, Axelle Red, Pinse Saul, Queen Salawa Abeni and Jean Toussaint.
“For me, music is about crossing boundaries and finding commonality globally. I love combining ancient and contemporary and my work with The Afrobeat Messengers and The Sacred Funk Project has given me another opportunity to take traditional vibes and give them a contemporary twist,” says Babalola. “Yoruba culture weaves its way through our modern lives through music and rhythm, and this gives me the chance to tell its story making it relevant to everyone today.”
Awarded his first Grammy in 2006 for performances on the late Ali Farka Toure’s album ‘In the Heart of the Moon’, he was awarded a second at the 49th Grammy awards in 2009 for his work as Associate Producer on the American jazz diva Cassandra Wilson’s album ‘Loverly’. Music critics around the world have given him rave reviews for his percussive ‘wizardry’ and infectious grooves.
Lekan is bringing his Sacred Funk Project to The Attenborough Centre For Creative Arts for a special one off performance in support of Migration Awareness Day on Saturday 15th October and will also be running a family-friendly workshop on the campus on Yaruba culture, Afrobeat rhythms and percussion during the afternoon.
Port Erin
Port Erin
West Country based, indie guitar combo Port Erin almost willfully defy comparison. Their music transgresses the usual conventions of genre definition, veering from breezy power pop, through progressive rock, Americana tinged alt.folk and even, on occasion, experimental jazz/ funk. Their meticulously crafted songs and melodies move in unexpected directions which few of their contemporaries would dare to explore. Championed by BBC 6 Music presenter and singer Tom Robinson, Port Erin will be performing new material from their forth-coming, fifth studio album Grey Ocean in support of Migration Awareness Day.
Plus Support from Lewes based African Jazz Orchestra Joko
Musa Mboob with Joko
Musa MBoob, master Gambian percussionist, with JOKO, 8-piece Afro-Jazz ensemble.
After leaving Ifang Bondi, probably the most famous Gambian band, Musa has been working as a cultural ambassador promoting Gambian music both in the Gambia and in the UK and Europe.
Musa played with Alan Skidmore and Ubizo, then formed Xamxam with Ousman Beyai (former Ifang Bondi member). Musa has just returned from touring Europe with Africa Express performing Terry Riley's In C Mali. He is involved in many projects helping to bring musicians together from Europe and the Gambia. Joko, meaning ‘connection’ in Wolof is one of many projects uniting musicians with a shared love of African jazz.
6.45-7.30pm ACCA Auditorium
SouthWestSiide
Acoustic Sessions hosted by SouthWestSiide
The brain child of local musician and hip-hop aficionado, Tom Warwick, SouthWestSiide present re-imaginings of classic tunes from the golden age of rap and hip hop. A tribute act with a difference, nailed-on floor bangers are given an acoustic make-over via a range of surprising instruments and delivered with infectious aplomb by charismatic frontman SparkOne. Guaranteed to Boom Boom and Shake the Room!
Blake Bastion
Blake Bastion
Singer-songwriter Blake Bastion crafts hauntingly beautiful guitar-based alt-folk. A virtuoso guitarist with an innovative and original playing style of intricate loops and tropes – catch Blake perform in an intimate setting as pretty soon he’ll be so stratospheric he’ll block out the sun.
SouthWestSiide and Blake Bastion will be joined by swamp blues ensemble Blue And The Blond, Old Boot and Chris B. Open Mic slots available so bring along an instrument and join in the jam.
ACCA Café/Bar 4pm-6.30pm
