Saturday, November 19th, 9:00pm - 1:00am

$7 ($5 for starving artist, students, teachers) Bring your own beverage

Using their diversity to their advantage, Bamako Airlines melds their influences to create a dynamic, contemporary perspective of African styles of music. The band hones in on the soulfulness of South African melodies, the rhythms of Nigerian juju, the griot traditions of Mali, central African soukous, with hints of reggae and Ethio-jazz.

Bamako Airlines is an 8-piece Afropop orchestra, defined by their desire to spread the music of Africa to the central Texas region. Vocalist Meera Chandy discovered her affinity for Afropop in 2002. Trained in Indian classical music, she attacks the glissandos and trills of African music with ease. Through an ensemble at the University of Texas, she worked with trumpeter/trombonist/arranger Brian Carr. The ensemble was successful enough to transform into the regional group Easy Motion Tourist, whose music gained enough traction to open for Zimbabwean star Oliver Mtukudzi.

In 2010, Chandy and Carr sought a new group of diverse musicians to help them spread their passion for Afropop music. Saxophonist Ryan McCormack holds a doctorate in ethnomusicology and has a strong jazz background. Guitarist Chris Vestre, of Torch fame, also leads his own critically lauded jazz ensemble. Michael Goldsmith has scored various internet and film projects, and plays guitar with post-rock group Red Corso. He, along with Vestre handle the intricate fretwork and the subtle nuances essential for Afropop. Latin influences permeate Bamako Airlines through Greg Goodman, veteran bassist of Sexto Sol and Kiko Villamizar. Drummer David Justh plays with the Austin Samba School and has studied extensively in Brazil. Indian percussionist and DJ Jakes Srinivasan has performed with several world music and fusion bands, including Alms for Shanti and Austin’s Oliver Rajamani.

 Bring your own beverage.