Chicago Afrobeat Project


Chicago Afrobeat Project is a seven- to 14-piece world music ensemble with influences including afrobeat, hip hop, funk, jazz, jùjú music, and rock. The members are well versed in afrobeat, the musical style of Fela Kuti and Tony Allen, and use it as a jumping off point to explore other styles. Based in Chicago, the band began in 2002 in a loft at 657 West Lake Street. The group is sometimes accompanied by African dancers from Chicago's Muntu Dance Theatre as well as Ayodele Drum & Dance. The group has released five studio efforts between 2005-2017, all recorded at Fullerton Recording Studios. In the summers of 2013 and 2014, the band collaborated with Fela Kuti's original drummer, Tony Allen, for a series of performances and recording sessions at Fullerton Recording Studios with the resulting work featured on the album What Goes Up.
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Members

  • David Glines - Guitar
  • Kevin Ford - Keyboards, Studio Shaman
  • Garrick Smith - Baritone Saxophone
  • Angelo Garcia - Tenor Saxophone
  • Ryan Tedder - Tenor Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone, Keyboards, Guitar
  • Mark Thomson - Trombone
  • Xavier Galdon - Trombone
  • Parris Fleming - Trumpet
  • Danjuma Gaskin - Percussion
  • Luc Parcell - Bass
  • Chadwick - Painter
  • TJ Okulnola - Talking Drum
  • Tosha Alston - Dancer
  • Imania Detry - Dancer

Awards

  • 2017 - Chicago Tribune Top 10 Chicago Indie Releases of 2017
  • 2017 - Winner, Best African Artist: Chicago Music Awards
  • 2014 - Best International/World Music Act: Chicago Reader's "Best of Chicago 2014
  • 2014 - Winner, Best African Entertainer: Chicago Music Awards
  • 2013 - Tied for Runner-Up, Best International/World Music Act: Chicago Reader's "Best of Chicago 2013"
  • 2013 - Rhapsody Music Top 25 World Music Albums
  • 2012 - Winner, Best African Artist: Chicago Music Awards
  • 2011 - Winner, Best African Artist: Chicago Music Awards
  • 2010 - Winner, Best African Artist: Chicago Music Awards
  • 2009 - Winner, Best African Artist: Chicago Music Awards
  • 2008 - Winner, Best African Artist: Chicago Music Awards
  • 2006 - Nominated for Chicago Music Award's "Award of Honor for Contribution to World beat Music"
  • 2005 - Nominated Best African Artist: Chicago Music Awards
  • 2004 - Nominated Best African Artist: Chicago Music Awards

Selected festivals

Guest musicians

Live

Recordings

  • * Tony Allen
  • * Ugochi
  • * Bobby Broom
  • * Fareed Haque
  • * J.C. Brooks
  • * Akenya
  • * Isaiah Oby
  • * Òrànmíyàn
  • * Kiara Lanier
  • * Legit
  • * Rico Sisney from Sidewalk Chalk
  • * Maggie Vagle from Sidewalk Chalk
  • * Diverse
  • * Brother Mike

Discography

Albums

What Goes Up - Independent Nyash UP! - CAbP Music Move to Silent Unrest - CAbP Music Chicago Afrobeat Project - CAbP Music

EPs

Off the Grid EP - CAbP Music

Compilations Featured

  • ''Rough Guide to Afrobeat Revival''