Event

Shokazoba

Shokazoba's inspiring and socially conscious lyrics shine over a jazz-funk mix rooted in rhythmic, danceable heavy Afrobeat sounds.

Jasmine lead vocals
Tobey percussion, MC
Riley drums
Matt bass
Jerrod guitar
Fred trumpet
Jeremy trombone
Zack tenor sax
Jason keys, percussion, vocals

Expect to be immersed in top quality, high energy world music designed to move your feet, energize your mind, and stimulate your soul when this 10-piece band from Northampton hits our stage.

"We can be found playing in theaters, underground clubs, on festival stages, at weddings, house parties, and wherever the cosmic tides take us. We aim to inspire greater human awareness by creating original, conscious, dance music with topically relevant lyrics. Since 2005, many talented musicians have influenced our sound and style and we thank them all for their unique contributions. Shokazoba heartily thanks the New Africa House at UMASS Amherst for so graciously providing space for us to continue our work. We also offer our deepest love and gratitude to Fela Anikulapo Kuti for inventing Afrobeat and inspiring Shokazoba's existence."

Shokazoba began in 2005 as a 17 piece Fela Kuti tribute project. They now produce original work, aiming to inspire greater human awareness through conscious, funky, dance music with progressive, topical lyrics.

Shokazoba won the Valley Advocate's award for "Best World Music" in 2007, 2010, 2011, and 2012, their "Best Funk" award in 2008, "Best Jazz" in the My411 Source poll in 2009, and was a "Live act of the year" nominee for the 2016 New England Music Awards.

"This 10-piece band from Northampton play a jazz funk mix that is rooted in the rhythmic heavy Afrobeat sounds of late Nigerian musician, Fela Kuti. It's music that is made for dancing, but Shokazoba who are influenced by the social activism of Kuti hope to inspire its audience with their socially conscious and politically charged lyrics." (Greenfield Recorder ~ By Sheryl Hunter ~ Wednesday, February 15, 2017)

Graphic image from handmade album art by Yondemod