Me Quedo En Casa Fest Show/Livestream 4/12/20
I did an improv concert from my studio. It was the first one I’ve ever done, building loops and textures on the spot with my keyboards, flutes, saxophones and a drum machine the size of a pocket calculator. I was a bit nervous but happy to contribute to the effort of making sheltering place a little bit more interesting for everyone.
Upcoming Antibalas tour dates postponed
Hey world.
I’m flattered that in this moment of global chaos you dropped in on my website. Here’s what’s new.
I just got off the road from three weeks of touring with Antibalas beginning in Southern California and wrapping up in Denver.
The shows were great energetically, musically, and emotionally. Just a day or two after we finished the leg of touring, we began to get reports of widespread venue closures and health alerts from both inside and outside the United States to halt any large-group events. That put a wrap on all of our remaining touring (about 35 or so shows) between now and the end of May and possibly beyond.
So I (and the rest of the other musicians and my whole musical community) are posted up at home (or worse, stranded on the road) with little to no income for the foreseeable future except for any royalty checks that might be on their way. (My last one from ASCAP was for $66.14).
If you are in a position to help, visit Antibalas.com - you can buy our music there, arrange an online music lesson or consultation with one of the musicians or just kick us a love offering.
NPR Weekend Edition Interview
My bandmate Amayo and I were interviewed by NPR’s Scott Simon of Weekend Edition to discuss our latest Antibalas album “Fu Chronicles.” LISTEN:
NEW Antibalas album "Fu Chronicles" Out Now // West Coast+Rockies Tour
Hey! The new Antibalas album is done and out in the world on vinyl/digital via the eminent Daptone Records label, Bandcamp, and streaming platforms.
We’re on tour beginning February 11, kicking off the tour in Morro Bay, CA and finishing in Denver on 3/1.
TOUR DATES HERE:
1/21/2020: Live in Los Angeles at Hodgepodge
This Tuesday 1/20 I’ll be at Apotheke in Los Angeles with my man Todd M Simon and friends for his Hodgepodge musical night. I’ll be playing saxophones, flute, percussion and who knows what else.
Three Screenplays for the World
Over the past two years I’ve written three feature-length screenplays: a drama/thriller and two dark comedies.
Click HERE to browse the synopses and request a full copy of the scripts.
New Antibalas Single : Amenawon
From the upcoming album "Fu Chronicles" - out February 7th. Pre-order/stream single now: https://daptone.ffm.to/bwav9ee.oyd
Happy New Year
Happy 2020! I wish you health, peace, joy and prosperity this year.
I’ll be on the road performing with Antibalas across the US and Canada (Europe and other dates coming soon) performing songs from our new album “Fu Chronicles.”
Also: I just finished my third feature length screenplay, titled “Townie.” More on that later.
A few highlights from 2019:
Moving to California!
Finishing Antibalas record #7
Finishing two new screenplays: “B’bobby” and “Townie”
Working with the SF Jazz Academy / Oakland Public Conservatory Jazz Band
Respect to Aretha: shows in London and Paris
Learning to make arancini
Writing and performing music at the Music Box Village in New Orleans
Performing in Hong Kong and having a few free days there
New music from Antibalas: ‘Fu Chronicles’
Antibalas releases the 7th LP “Fu Chronicles” on Daptone Records, Feb 7 2020 with worldwide tour dates.
We have a new record coming out in February on Daptone Records! It is called “Fu Chronicles”. It is our seventh full-length album.
Here is the first single “Fight Am Finish”
The album is a suite of songs composed by Antibalas vocalist/multi instrumentalist Duke Amayo. The musicians include the current touring band as well Our extended musical family
We recorded it in the summer of 2018 at the Daptone House of Soul in Bushwick, Brooklyn. Additional studio work and mixing were done at Penrose Recorders in Riverside, CA.
My contributions include baritone saxophone, flute, percussion and background vocals. I prepared the arrangements and co-produced it with Bosco Mann.
Enjoy!