Join us for two special pre-release shows for ObliqSound vocalist Somi, as she debuts her new album If The Rains Come First. This Thursday, July 9, Somi hits New York’s famed Joe’s Pub and then heads up to Montreal on Saturday, July 11 for a featured spot at the legendary Montreal International Jazz Festival.
Scheduled for release in October 2009, Somi’s new work showcases her whimsically clever songwriting & pure vocal beauty against electro-acoustic soundscapes that offer a modern look at classic soul and Africa’s future. Be the first to hear it, and join us as we celebrate the beginning of her new musical journey. East African artist Somi is originally from Rwanda and Uganda, but has made West Harlem her home over the past five years. Her critically acclaimed album Red Soil In My Eyes (Harmonia Mundi, 2007) maintained a spot in the top 10 world music charts for several weeks after its release while she performed to audiences across four continents. She has since worked with or performed alongside the likes of Paul Simon, John Legend, Hugh Masekela, Amel Larrieux, Roy Hargrove, Idan Raichel, and Mos Def.
Thursday, July 9 (Doors at 7 PM, show at 7:30 PM):
Joe’s Pub, 425 Lafayette Street, New York City
Advance Tickets are highly recommended and for sale HERE
$20 at the door
Saturday, July 11 at 9 PM:
Montreal International Jazz Festival
L’Astral (Maison du Festival Rio Tinto Alcan), 305 Sainte-Catherine Street West, Montreal, Canada
$22.50 (Tickets available HERE)
Switzerland digs ObliqSound and we like them! Come to the Canal Room on Wednesday, January 14, as we help salute the amazing sounds of Switzerland. Grand Pianoramax, featuring Mike Ladd, Celena Glenn and Jojo Mayer, headline the Swiss music showcase co-presented by the Consulate General of Switzerland in New York and ProHelvetia.
Doors open at 7:30 PM. Show starts with Beat Kaestli (8 pm), Serena Jost and full band (9 pm), and goodie bags filled with tasty Swiss chocolates and treats. Join us!
Look out Boston, here comes Gilfema! On January 14, Gilfema will unveil their newest disc Gilfema + 2 at their USA album debut at Boston’s legendary venue The Regatta Bar. Lionel Loueke, Ferenc Nemeth and Massimo Biolcati will be joined by guest clarinetists John Ellis and Joris Roelofs to present the music of this “melodious, rich album (eMusic),” with “vital, inventive music that recalls both Africa and a summer day in Central Park (Rhapsody).
The live concert isn’t until January, but last night, Jeff Turton of Boston’s WFNX sounded the alarm that “Gilfema is coming!” on the station’s popular Jazz Brunch podcast. (Sorry, it’s Boston, we really wanted to yell “The British are coming!” like Paul Revere. Sue us!) Go to WFNX.com today and download the in-depth podcast interview with Lionel Loueke and hear some of the album’s top tunes. Stay tuned for more area appearances with the trio and guests - including a live in-studio session at Worcester, MA’s WICN Public Radio.
Listeners around the nation got a chance to hear from Lionel Loueke last week on NPR’s News & Notes, when he was invited to appear on the December 23rd show. He talked with host Farai Chideya about his unique fusion of jazz and African sounds, the new album, and even fit in the time to perform a track from Gilfema + 2 normally done in a quintet formation…Listen now on NPR and tell all your friends - preferably “plus two” at a time.
ObliqSound proudly presents…John Shannon’s Music Video debut! The video, for the song “Somewhere” is from the album American Mystic, and was directed by Carsten Fleck.
Join John on tour, starting tonight, Tuesday October 14, in New York at Canal Room’s excellent “Artists You Should Know” series, with Emily Zuzik and Joe Whyte also on the bill. (Show starts at 8, he’ll take the stage at 10 pm.)
Can’t make it to New York? John heads west for the rest of the week, opening for Velour Music vocalist Sonya Kitchell on tour in Colorado and Utah, and will then spend November touring with Hiromi across Europe and Japan.
On March 19, ObliqSound welcomed friends, family, press and an assortment of our favorite folks to VinoVino in TriBeCa to celebrate the North American launch of Virgin Forest!
The man of the evening, Lionel Loueke (along with his beautiful wife and daughter), joined ObliqSound president and album co-producer Michele Locatelli in raising a glass to an incredible musical creation, now in stores in US and Canada thanks to the good people at HBD Label Group and Koch Distribution. Guests, including co-producer Robert Sadin, album collaborators Cyro Baptista, Gretchen Parlato, Massimo Biolcati, Ferenc Nemeth, and many more were greeted by beautiful florals and vines arranged by The Little Glass Slipper, sipped bubbly and signature drinks like the Midori Forest, and enjoyed organic treats from Beanpod Candles, Steaz Energy drinks, Lara Bar, and Garden of Life.
ObliqSound has been busy recently. In January, the label took a booth at the International Association of Jazz Educators (IAJE) Conference in New York at the Hilton Hotel. We enjoyed the chance to meet educators, musicians and fans – including many of our fans who came to meet us at our booth and checked out the digital music listening stations, provided by Dale Pro Audio, and others who came by for sweets and delicious cocktails, supplied by Voyant Chai Cream Liqueur.
In February, ObliqSound hit the road for a California listening party at Zanzibar in Santa Monica, as part of Afro Funke’s weekly dance party. Party-goers entered the club listening to the relaxing sounds of Grand Pianoramax, and after they warmed up, danced for hours to the ObliqSound Remixes Vol. 2, featuring Roy Ayers and remixes from Osunlade, Atjazz and Mark De Clive Lowe). DJ Jeremy Sole and guest DJ Mark Maxwell kept the party moving all night and sent guests home with ObliqSound samplers and prizes for the best dancers.
View footage of Lionel Loueke recording with Herbie Hancock, Gretchen Parlato, Massimo Biolcati, Ferenc Nemeth and others in “Making of Virgin Forest.” Mr. Loueke describes his take on the album, and we’re brought in to the studio for a rare look inside the playback session. Check out the video here to view.
