AFROSOLO THEATRE COMPANY PRESENTS A GLOBAL CONCERT FOR PEACE, MAY 7

AfroSolo Concerts proudly presents Ivory Coast singer/dancer Felicite Tchaco, aka FELY (pronounced "feh-lee") in A Concert for Peace and record release party.  The concert takes place on Saturday, May 7, 8 pm at the African American Art & Culture Complex, 762 Fulton Street in San Francisco.

FELY’s new album “Maturite” draws from her life experiences, as well as, folk wisdom.  It embodies the new generation of artists who remain attached to their African heritage, while at the same time maintain a resolutely modern outlook on the world.

“We are very excited to present FELY,” said Thomas Robert Simpson, AfroSolo’s founder and executive director. “We are especially delighted that the theme of the concert is peace, in view of the difficulties that the Ivory Coast is experiencing,” he added.

 FELY’s music speaks a universal language that can be felt, with sweetness, simplicity and a quality that melts away all genre boundaries.

Outstanding master musicians assembled from across Africa, Europe, Latin America and the U.S will accompany FELY. They create a cocktail of world fusion that truly translates her music style, yet stays true to her traditional African roots. FELY has performed previously with AfroSolo and has headlined at large scale music festivals such as Reggae on the River and the Monterey Bay Reggaefest.

The rhythms throughout float easily across the CD. The beautiful cover and inside artwork designed by FELY  reflect her multi talents.“Goba,” the album’s opener, immediately draws you into her world, hinting at pop and blues melded with African roots in a contemporary sound. “Blue Topaz," written by FELY’s co-producer, Jerry Martin, (sung in English) speaks of centuries of the draining of the resources of the African continent, such as gold and diamonds, to bring wealth to other countries. “Maturite” represents West African polyrhythms in dialogue with the world.   For information, visit www.felymusic.com.

FELY will be joined by two special guests: acclaimed Humboldt County roots rock reggae artist, JADE STEEL and acclaimed Caribbean jazz singer/guitarist PAULACLAUDINE HUBSON COARD.  

Who: West African singer FELY featuring guest Artists JADE STEEL and PAULACLAUDINE HUBSON COARD

When: Saturday May 7, 8 p.m.

Where: Buriel Clay Theatre, African American Art & Culture Complex, 762 Fulton St., SF

Tickets: $15 - $20 Sliding Scale

Visit  www.afrosolo.org or call (415) 771-2376 for tickets or more information.

Founded in 1993, AfroSolo Theatre Company nurtures, promotes, and presents the experiences of African Americans and those from the African Diaspora through solo performances, and the visual and literary arts. Through these arts, people of all ethnicities are brought together to explore and share the human spirit that binds us all. Funding for the AfroSolo Theatre Company is made possible in part through the support of the African American Art & Culture Complex, LEF Foundation, and San Francisco's Grants for the Arts/Hotel Tax Fund, The National Endowment for the Arts and the Zellerbach Family Foundation.

 

Respectfully yours,

Thomas Robert Simpson

Artistic Director

www.afrosolo.org

Irie Maffia

Biography

Having been formed in 2005, Irie Maffia soon became a firm favourite with the young party-goers of Budapest, which can hardly be considered a surprise given the powerful medley of reggae, hip-hop, rock and funk they play, and the impressive line-up in terms of the Hungarian underground-music scene. Sena, Busa and Columbo are all well-known figures of Budapest nightlife. Among the musicians are such names as Dermot, the ingenious bandleader and trombone-player, or Jumo Daddy, the Hammond organ wizard.

The band has performed at practically every festival in Hungary imaginable, while their sound system formation (consisting of the DJs and MCs of the band) has been kept busy by the clubs of the country.

The memorable full house release party of the Mafia’s first LP, Fel a kezekkel! (Hands in the air), took place on A38, a popular party boat in Budapest, in December, 2007.

Irie Maffia's first video clip, shot for their most popular song, Hands In the Air, came out by the spring of 2008.

 

In autumn 2008 the Irie Maffia was one of the 5 nominees for MTV European Music Awards Local Hero in Hungary.

The band's sound system formation holds weekly club nights in Corvin teto, offering awesome reggae music to the Tuesday night audience of the venue.

The popularity of Irie Maffia, however, is by no means restricted to the borders of Hungary. Their first recording in 2006 made use of a dancehall riddim, the Rodeo riddim (formerly made popular by the mighty Seeed), which was released by Germaica Records, Europe’s leading reggae/dancehall record company.

To make the most of the success, the Maffia went on tour to several European destinations, amongst which was the Italian Rototom Sunsplash in 2007, probably the greatest reggae competition of the continent. They came in second with an outstanding performance after the local Italian heroes, which was an immense achievement in the light of the fact that they had had to convince a thoroughly orthodox jury with their rather eclectic and innovative kind of music.

http://www.musiclogy.net/en/artist/Irie+Maffia 
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Irie-Maffia/104113956292626 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irie_Maffia 
http://www.last.fm/music/Irie+Maffia

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THE MIGHTY DIAMONDS TO PERFORM AT YOSHI’S NIGHTCLUB, 09/02

            THE MIGHTY DIAMONDS TO PERFORM AT YOSHI’S NIGHTCLUB, 09/02

The Mighty Diamonds, Jamaica’s premiere harmony trio, will make their debut at Yoshi’s Jazz Club in San Francisco on Thursday, Sept. 2.  Although they are known best for their roots reggae classics  including “Pass the Kutchie,” “I Need a Roof” and “Tamarind Farm,” the Mighty Diamonds—Fitzroy “Bunny” Simpson,” Donald “Tabby” Shaw and Lloyd “Judge” Ferguson are versed in all forms of music, from R an B to jazz and blues. The Diamonds will be backed by a stellar Jamaican ensemble called the Yellow Wall Dub Squad.

Who: The Mighty Diamonds

When: Thursday, Sept. 2, 10:30 p.m.

Where: Yoshi’s Jazz Club, 1330 Fillmore St., San Francisco

Tickets: $16/Adv, $22, Door, (415) 655-5600

www.yoshi’s.com, www.themightydiamonds.net

For more information, check out the group’s website: www.themightydiamonds.net.

For interviews, contact Shelah Moody, publicist, at (415) 577-4445 or email smoodytone@aol.com.

For booking and management: Robby Oyugi,  (415) 308-5629 or email: ujamadesigns@gmail.com.

Mighty Diamonds Bio

As the Hope Diamond http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hope_Diamond is a American national treasure, the Mighty Diamonds are Jamaican national treasures.

Every reggae fan has at least one favorite song by the Mighty Diamonds:

"Pass the Kutchie," "Right Time," "Master Plan"  “Tamarind Farm,” and the list goes on. Formed in Trench Town, 1969, Jamaica's premier harmony trio are currently

celebrating 40 years of making music, from the most militant roots reggae to

the sweetest lover's rock.

The Mighty Diamonds--Fitzroy, "Bunny" Simpson, Donald "Tabby" Shaw and Lloyd "Judge" Ferguson--know what soul is all about. The three reggae

warriors have risen from the poverty and despair of inner city Kingston to

become learned reggae ambassadors who have traveled throughout Europe, the

U.S., Africa and Japan spreading the gospel of harmony and emancipation from

mental slavery.

“Right Time,” The Mighty Diamonds’ breakthrough album on the Channel One label, elevated the group to rock star status in 1975. Produced by Joseph Hoo Kim, "Right Time" brought together the Jamaican musical elite such as Sly and Robby (drum and bass) and Ancel Collins (keyboards) generated hits such as "Africa," "Have Mercy" "Natural Natty," "Them Never Love Poor Marcus" and the reggae party album, "Pass the

Kutchie," which has been sampled by everyone from Lauryn Hill to Michael

Franti to Wyclef Jean.

With wisdom and experience behind them, not to mention more albums and

singles than they can count, the Mighty Diamonds are still selling out

venues around the world. Led by Tabby's ebullient tenor, their live

show is a journey through the African Diaspora from gospel to R&B to roots reggae and dancehall, including covers of songs by the Stylistics ("Country Living") Bob Marley, ("Get Up, Stand Up") Curtis Mayfield ("It's All Right to Have a Good Time") Jester Hairston ("Amen") and Alton Ellis ("Still in Love").

The Mighty Diamonds have appeared on a number of compilations including "Is it Rolling Bob? A Reggae Tribute to Bob Dylan" (Sanctuary, 2004), "Old to the New" A Steely & Clevie Tribute to Joe Gibbs Classics" (VP, 2002) and "Fire on the Mountain: Reggae Celebrates The Grateful Dead ("Pow Wow, 1996). During the Christmas season, the Diamonds' lively version of "Frosty the Snowman" (Ras Records) is a hit with young and old. The Mighty Diamonds are currently promoting their latest CD, "Thugs in

the Street," produced on their independent label, Street Corner Music.                   

In honor more than 40 years together as a vocal trio, the Mighty Diamonds received the Ragga Muffins Festival Award of Recognition on Feb. 21.

            Following their performance at the sold out 29^th annual Ragga Muffins reggae festival at Long Beach Arena in Long Beach, CA, Fitzroy “Bunny” Simpson, Donald “Tabby” Shaw and Lloyd “Judge” Ferguson were presented with trophies on behalf on the festival and Moss Jacobs Presents.

            “The blessings are there, and we are here to share them; that’s the most important thing,” said Shaw, who has been the Mighty Diamonds’ lead vocalist since he was a teenager.

            In November, 2009, Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke recognized the Mighty Diamonds with a Congressional Proclamation for their 40 years of hits and contributions to the music industry, when TSO Productions and the Coalition to Preserve Reggae Music held their 5th annual Reggae Culture Salute at Nazareth High School Performance Center, Brooklyn, NY. Check out the youtube link of the presentation: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CzCo0oxDoo0.

            Also in November of 2009, the Diamonds released a remake of one of their first hits, “Country Living” (originally done by the Stylistics) produced by the England based Simba on his Small Storm label and distributed by the High Times label. The recording features Shaw’s nephew, Wilburn “Squidly” Cole (drums) and Winston “Bo Pee” Bowen (guitar).

            The Mighty Diamonds have also released their latest single, "Special Lady," a remake of Ray, Goodman and Brown’s 1980’s ballad, on their independent label, Street Corner Music in 2009.  

In 2006, following their performance at Reggae Sunsplash in Ocho Rios, the Diamonds received a prestigious national award from former prime minister Portia Simpson Miller for their artistic contribution to Jamaican culture. 

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