GANGBÉ BRASS BAND

Bugle, trombone, saxophone, sousaphone, trumpet and traditional percussion instruments—all the makings of a genuine brass band. But not just any brass band! Gangbé Brass Band has become legendary and part of a cultural heritage that extends far beyond the borders of its native Benin. Receiving encouragement from none other than Fela Kuti when it was first starting out, the band has been around now for nearly 30 years, blending the quintessential brassy sound (Gangbé means “sound of metal” in the Fon language) with traditional Voodoo rhythms inspired by jazz and funk, interlacing the spiritual and joyful energy with the grace of polyphonic vocals. With Kala Jula, the band just recently released a live tribute album to Kassé Mady Diabaté, entitled Asro.