Recent News

Very excited to announce that Future Rootz Records will release remixes of "What Goes Up" featuring Tony Allen! "What Goes Up Remixed" is set to release on Friday, April 26, 2019, and features remixes by Maga Bo, Ron Trent, AfroQbano, Sound Culture, Jose Marquez, Sol Power Sound, and our very own Kevin Ford. What Goes Up Remixed ...Read more »

We are very excited to announce another live collaboration with beatmaster Tony Allen on Mon, Aug 27, 2018 at The Promontory in Hyde Park. After a number of tour dates in 2013-2014 where the band featured Allen, Chicago Afrobeat Project released the critically acclaimed What Goes Up in 2017, with Allen manning the drums. For this show, the band's newest additions, rising emcee Legit and vocalist Rhea the Second, join the band for this one-night only performance. Expect a mix of afrobeat, hiphop, jazz, and soul... all centered around Allen's signaure drum beats. For What Goes Up, the group is the first and only American afrobeat band to release a full album with Tony Allen, and staying true to the band's form, shaped each song by flipping the afrobeat foundation sideways. Chicago takes center stage, with local emcees and vocalists such as J.C. Brooks, Legit, Akenya, and Kiara Lanier being featured on each song. ...Read more »

Time to celebrate! On Sat, December 16 we are putting on a very special show with many featured guests to celebrate the release of What Goes Up. Guests include JC Brooks, Ugochi, Legit, Akenya and more. Our dancers will help get you down, and to help kick off the night expect full sets from our friends Sam Trump Soul Vortex, Fury Hip Hop, and Future Rootz (DJ sets). Doors will be buzzing at 8PM. Advance tickets are $13 with vinyl packages starting at $30. Yes, VINYL! Oh, and we'll be debuting NEW music as well! Get your tickets online while you can. Facebook Event Buy Tickets Online ...Read more »

(Chicago) Music is the Weapon: Chicago Afrobeat Project Teams up with Fela Drummer Tony Allen and a Constellation of Chicago MCs and Singers on What Goes Up “We’re not recording two tracks,” announced legendary drummer Tony Allen. He laid down his sticks on his snare drum. The crew of Chicago Afrobeat Project looked at each other across the studio. What had gone wrong? “We’re recording 10 tracks for an album,” Allen declared. With that, the Chicago-based collective began putting together their most musically expansive album to date, What Goes Up (release: September 29, 2017). The band flew Allen in from Paris for several sessions, resulting in the first full-album collaboration with Allen in North America. Along with Afrobeat and jazz icon Allen, the group drew in collaborator vocalists and lyricists from the Chicago scene, inspired by everything from Igbo sayings to gospel: JC Brooks, Kiara Lanier, Legit (Chance the Rapper), Akenya (Noname, Chance the Rapper), Ugochi Nwaogwugwu, Oranmiyan , and Rico Sisney/Maggie Vagle (Sidewalk Chalk). The heart of What Goes Up beats the pulse and ethos of calling out injustice through music, a spirit refined and harnessed by maverick Nigerian activist and musician Fela Kuti. But the album doesn’t simply stop where the Afrobeat founder left off. “We’re not afraid to try something,” says CAbP keyboard player Kevin Ford. “Some other groups follow Fela strictly, and that’s fine. We stretch that out a little and pull in everything we hear around us,” giving Afrobeat a distinctly Chicago voice. {full story below} Fifteen years ago in a West Chicago artist loft, a shifting cast of musicians would come and go each week, all interested in jamming on Afrobeat rhythms. They decided to start a band. “We wanted to make it a fluid concept,” recalls guitarist David Glines. “There are core members of the band who have been here since the beginning. Some were really familiar with the genre, while others were introduced to it via the band. We...Read more »

CAbP is pointing the funky ship west this October for a number of dates in California, Washington, Colorado, Nevada, and Nebraska. Our friends Sidewalk Chalk and AM & Shawn Lee will join us on a few dates as well. Full dates below!       THU 10/17 - Lincoln NE // Zoo BarFRI 10/18 - Denver CO // Quixote's True Blue SAT 10/19 - Boulder, CO // Owsley's Golden Road TUE 10/20 - Reno, NV // Jub Jub's Thirst Parlor WED 10/21 - Sacramento, CA // The Torch Club w/AM & Shawn Lee THU 10/22 - San Francisco, CA // The Boom Boom Room FRI 10/23 - Novato, CA // HopMonk Tavern Novato w/ Sidewalk Chalk SAT 10/24 - Caspar, CA // Caspar Inn w/ Sidewalk Chalk WED 10/28 - Portland, OR // Goodfoot Pub & Lounge THU 10/29 - Twisp, WA // Twisp River Pub FRI 10/30 - Seattle, WA // The Royal Room SAT 10/31 - Bend, OR // The Astro Lounge...Read more »

Fresh off an amazing East Coast run in September, Chicago Afrobeat Project journeys westward to the coast this fall with stops in Denver, Salt Lake, Portland, San Francisco, Seattle and many more funky cities. Some of the highlights will surely be Felabration in Denver, CO on Saturday 10/18 as well as the the Jungle Cross Warehouse party at Deschutes Brewery in Bend, OR on Saturday, November 1, not to mention all of the killer stops in between. Our friends The Earful join for a couple shows in Santa Cruz and Mill Valley, CA, and The Chickens will be opening up in Salt Lake City. We will see you at da show! FRI - Oct 17, 2014 Steamboat Springs, CO @ Old Town Pub 10 PM FREE SHOW! SAT - Oct 18, 2014 Denver, CO - Felabration! @ Cervantes 8PM $10 adv, $15 DOS Tickets SUN -  Oct 19, 2014 Salt Lake City, UT @ Burt's Tiki Lounge w/ The Chickens 9:30 PM $7 TUE - Oct 21, 2014 Fresno, CA @ Fulton 55 9PM $10 adv, $15 dos Tickets THU - Oct 23, 2014 Santa Cruz, CA @ Moe's Alley w/ The Earful 8PM $9 adv, $12 dos Tickets SAT - Oct 25, 2014 Mill Valley, CA @ Sweetwater Music Hall w/ The Earful 8PM $15 adv, $18 dos SUN - Oct 26, 2014 Arcata, CA @ Humboldt Brews 8PM $15 WED - Oct 29, 2014 Portland, OR @ The Goodfoot 9PM $10 adv, $15 dos THU - Oct 30, 2014 Seattle, WA - Steam Funk Halloween Ball @ Nectar Lounge w/ Cascadia '10; The Braxmatics 9PM $8 adv, $12 dos FRI - Oct 31, 2014 Twisp, WA @ Twisp River Pub 8PM $10 adv, $12 dos SAT - Nov 1, 2014 Bend, OR - Jungle Cross Warehouse Party @ Deschutes Brewery 8PM $15 Tickets...Read more »

And so it's official: drummer TONY ALLEN and Chicago Afrobeat Project will reunite for an 8-city tour this summer/fall in the Midwest and East Coast. Last summer's chemistry felt so great during the studio recording that we decided to collaborate again and book an entire tour. We will hit you with some of the newly recorded material, and there will be a few surprises with even NEWER material. The yet-to-be-titled album is set for release in early 2015. Tony helped make afrobeat an iconic landmark on the global music scene, and we excited to be a part of this history. TICKETS - THU 8/28 - Minneapolis, MN @ Cabooze w/Black Market Brass, Voice of Culture Dance & Drum, and live art by Adetomiwa Gbadebo TICKETS - SAT 8/30 - Chicago, IL @ Double Door w/ DJ Sound Culture, and live art by Chadwick // Official North Coast Festival After-Party TICKETS - FRI 9/5 - Grand Rapids, MI @ Pyramid Scheme w/Afro Zuma TICKETS - SAT 9/6 - Pittsburgh, PA @ Rex Theater w/Velvet Heat & Matthew Tembo FREE SHOW - TUE 9/9 - York, PA @ York College of Pennsylvania TICKETS - WED 9/10 - New York, NY @ S.O.B.'s TICKETS - THU 9/11 - Ithaca, NY @ The Haunt TICKETS - FRI 9/12 - Boston, MA @ Johnny D's ...Read more »

Friday night, May 23---  Kick off Memorial Day weekend at Double Door’s City of Beats musical showcase and bring dance moves worthy of avid Chicago music lovers.  At City of Beats, four Chicago bands sworn to teasing the city's craving for dance and music will intersect for a night of end-to-end music. All four bands---Chicago Afrobeat Project, Ayodele, Genome, and Obisoulstar, --- are tied by their world music and funk influences, all crafting beats specially made to make bodies move.  If you love Chicago as much as you think you do, come experience the city in a totally new way--- through the  movement of your body to sounds that capture the city's funk and world music essence.  Double Door is the creative space station where these bands will cook up the beats to make you move in unexpected ways. It's 6 hours of non-stop music, so expect to find your inner dancer-thon by the end of the night.   Chicago Afrobeat Project Ayodele Genome Obisoulstar Doors: 8PM First Band: 8:30 PM, music til close! Tickets: $10 advance, $15, day of show, $10 students with valid ID Ages: 21+Double Door 1572 N Milwaukee Ave. Chicago, IL Purchase Tickets  About Chicago Afrobeat As practitioners of a “non-traditional” interpretation of afrobeat for more than a decade, Chicago Afrobeat Project frequently reinvents itself within a genre first pioneered by Fela Kuti. The group’s latest release Nyash Up!” shows the group redefining their signature version of afrobeat by incorporating elements of hip-hop, orchestra-like musical arrangement, and stylistic explorations of rock, jazz and funk. In 2014, the group ups the ante by collaborating with master afrobeat drummer  Tony Allen on a studio release slotted for late in the year. The two artists first collaborated in 2013 on a series of Midwest summer concerts and plan to work together in the U.S. in summer 2014 as well. About Ayodele Ayodele is a Chicago-based dance ensemble known for electrifying African and contemporary dance performances. Their work is inspired by feminist ideals and artistic expression. About Genome Genome is a unique blend of organic funk and psychedelic jams with jazz, world,...Read more »

It's been a hot minute since a Chicago hit, so we're excited to throw in a few surprises. Last time at Reggie's was with Tony Allen, so we'll be channeling some of that energy in the new tunes we wrote with him. Reggae act Fortunate Youth from San Diego shares the bill. Get an advance ticket online and save some $$$! Oh, and this show is ages 17+!!! Facebook Event Pre-Sale Tickets Online ($12 advance, $15 day of show) ...Read more »

Dance unites cultures. Music frees minds. West Africa meets American hip hop when two of Chicago's premier live ensembles -- Chicago Afrobeat Project and Sidewalk Chalk -- perform a long overdue collaboration as well as independent sets. Trio Mokili debuts its lively West African guitar-led songs, while Ayodele Drum & Dance lifts spirits with its female-led West African percussion and dance. Prepare to raise another glass to Chicago's artists and their creative cross-pollination of the MIDWEST'S FINEST MUSIC SCENE....Read more »

On Saturday September 14 Chicago Afrobeat Project performs at the beautiful Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park as a part of the 2013 World Music Festival. Following the band is Bassekou Kouyate (pictured). Showtime: 3PM Cost: FREE! The event takes place as a part of Festival au Desert (Festival in the Desert). Festival au Desert began in 2001 in the arid lands just outside of Timbuktu, a dazzling clearinghouse of the rich sounds emanating from Mali, one of Africa’s poorest nations financially, but richest culturally. The event quickly developed into one of world music’s signature events, spearheaded by members of the great Tuareg group Tinariwen. But when Islamic fundamentalists hijacked a Tuareg uprising in 2012 the festival had to be canceled among increasing violence. So this year the event is in exile and members of the Malian musical community have organized an informal caravan of sounds across the US this summer, and a slew of great players roll into the city for this year’s World Music Festival: Chicago. Bassekou Kouyate & Ngoni Ba, Mamadou Kelly, Sidi Toure, and Leila Gobi all perform multiple concerts, showcasing the bluesy foundation of traditional Malian music. Chicago Afrobeat Project will perform new material written during the band's week-long session with master drummer Tony Allen. The week included performances, writing, recording and workshops on afrobeat....Read more »

Buy Tickets “Without Tony Allen, there would be no afrobeat.” – Fela Kuti “Perhaps the greatest drummer who ever lived.” – Brian Eno Buy Tickets  Master Class & Workshop A master class for student and professional musicians to explore afrobeat through a hands-on experience with drummer and originator of Afrobeat: Tony Allen. In addition to being recognized worldwide for his music, he is also known for delivering a brilliant master class in which he shares his knowledge about music, music cognition, the concepts of rhythm, time, breath and the sound possibilities that the drums can provide in conjunction with the pace of the body. During the workshop Tony Allen shares his story and reveals aspects of African culture in music, his experiences and his skills behind the drums that defined the drumming patterns of afrobeat. The master class includes discussion on the formation of a dynamic within a group. Group exercises with audience participation will demonstrate the techniques he has developed throughout the years. The workshop culminates with Tony performing live with Chicago Afrobeat Project. Included in Event: Lunch Give-aways Master class Drum workshop 1 ticket to August 1 performance of Chicago Afrobeat Project featuring Tony Allen Event Schedule: Noon: Doors 12:30 – 1:30 PM: Guided discussion with Tony Allen by Oyekunle Oyegbemi from the Yoruba Arts Foundation 1:30 – 1:45 PM: Break 1:45 – 2:30 PM: Afrobeat technique workshop & clinic; Tony at the drum set on stage 2:45 – 3 PM+: Tony performs with CAbP About Tony Allen Legendary drummer and composer Tony Allen rose to prominence in the mid-1960s alongside fellow Nigerian Fela Kuti as a pioneer of Afrobeat, a blend of jazz, traditional Yoruba and high life music. The self-taught drummer began to play aged 18 and devoured American music by the likes of Dizzy Gillespie and Charlie Parker alongside contemporary African tracks. The young Tony Allen began playing claves (sticks) before being promoted...Read more »

Coming up: Minneapolis on 7/26 & Chicago on 8/1 Chicago Afrobeat Project is collaborating with legendary drummer Tony Allen, the original drummer for Fela Kuti. The band will perform in Minneapolis on Friday, July 26 at the Cedar Cultural Center and Thursday, August 1 in Chicago at Reggie's as a Lollapalooza Kick-off Party. About Tony Allen (courtesy of Nonesuch) Born in Lagos, Nigeria in 1940, of mixed Nigerian and Ghanaian parentage, Tony Allen taught himself to play by listening to records made by the American jazz drummers Art Blakey and Max Roach. He began working as a professional musician in 1960, gigging around Lagos and variously playing highlife and jazz. Today living in Paris, Allen has long been acknowledged as Africa's finest kit drummer and one of it's most influential musicians, the man who with Fela Anikulapo Kuti created Afrobeat—the hard driving, James Brown funk-infused, and politically engaged style that became such a dominant force in African music and whose influence continues to spread today. Allen had to overcome strong parental opposition to realize his dream of becoming a professional musician. "My parents were not keen. Back then, in Lagos, musicians were more or less thought of as beggars, or worse. But I just put it in front of them. I was an electrical technician, but I wanted to make a change. My mother was never happy about it, but my father, who was an amateur musician, eventually agreed." Allen started out as a jazz drummer. "Art Blakey was my big influence, and before that, before I started club crawling, it was Gene Krupa. When I started, I tried to play like Gene Krupa. Then I discovered Blue Note Records and Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers—it opened up another style to me. Max Roach was important too. I studied some lessons he wrote in Down Beat...Read more »

As the band's fourth fourth studio release and  first in four years, Nyash UP! finds Chicago Afrobeat Project taking a unique approach to the genre. Each song on the track is either a mash-up or an openly reinterpreted cover. Radiohead and Fugazi are mashed with Fela Kuti, while songs from Talking Heads, Ceu, System of a Down, Led Zeppelin, 808 State, Marvin Gaye, and the Vandermark 5 are completely rebuilt by the band from the ground up. The band is touring this spring and summer in support of the effort. Listen Now: ...Read more »

Chicago Afrobeat Project will perform at the OFFICIAL kick-off party for the return of the FELA! musical to Chicago hosted by Legendary DJ & producer Ron Trent + Kennedy Ashinze of Globetrotter Magazine.  Dubbed the  "Soul Revival," the band will be performing new material off its album "Nyash UP!" and be partnering up again with soul songstress Ugochi. Some new material the band has been working on in 2013 will also make its way to the stage. Doors are at 10PM. $10 Lincoln Hall ...Read more »

                On January 20, 2013, Chicago Afrobeat Project received a Chicago Music Award for "Best African Entertainer." The band HUMBLY thanks everyone who voted this year. We also would like to give a shout out to our good friends and artists we have worked with over the years who were nominated and/or won awards: Graham Czach - Nominee, Best Rock Entertainer Kava - Nominee, Most Outstanding Band or Group Ryan Behling - Nominee, Best Male Vocalist JC Brooks - Nominee, Pop Entertainer of the Year Sidewalk Chalk - Winner, Most Outstanding Band or Group Corey Wilkes - Nominee, Best Jazz Entertainer Ken Vandermark - Nominee, Best Jazz Entertainer Ugochi - Nominee,  Best African Entertainer The Shrine - Winner, Most Popular Entertainment Club Cornmeal - Winner, Best Country / Western Entertainer Greg Spero - Winner, Best Jazz Entertainer...Read more »

(Streaming audio file is below) "We are focused on the war against drugs / We are focused on the war against terror / But what we need to be focused on... Is the war against the middle class. The battle for minimum wage / The battle for health care / The battle for decent schools / Without the middle,  The structure will come tumbling down." New lyrics from Squair Blaq of Chicago Afrobeat Project added to the Marvin Gaye classic. "Inner City Blues Makes Ya Wanna Holler (Marvin Gaye)" Chicago Afrobeat Project will appear on "Nyash UP!" the band's fourth studio album to date, and its first since 2008. "Nyash UP!" will release officially on February 26, 2013 from CAbP Music.  The band celebrates its 10-year anniversary and the album's release on December 15, 2012 at The Double Door with its friend The Occidental Brothers Dance Band International, Fatbook and Bloco Maximo. "Inner City Blues Makes Ya Wanna Holler (Marvin Gaye)" features Chicago vocalists Ugochi and Squair Blaq. [soundcloud]http://soundcloud.com/chicagoafrobeat/inner-city-blues-makes-ya[/soundcloud]                   Photos: Squair Blaq & Ugochi...Read more »

Chi-Town, post-punk soul singer extraordinaire JC BROOKS will be one of the many special guests at Chicago Afrobeat Project's 10-year anniversary and album release party for "Nyash UP!" Chicago vocalist Ugochi will also be featured, and sharing the bill are Occidental Brothers Dance Band International, Fatbook and Bloco Maximo. [button link="http://www.ticketfly.com/purchase/eventV2/179357?__utmx=-&__utmv=-&__utmk=218289433&__utmz=1.1353910342.2.2.utmcsr%3Dgoogle%7Cutmccn%3D%28organic%29%7Cutmcmd%3Dorganic%7Cutmctr%3D%28not+provided%29&wrKey=0DB91E432749B2A1B22BB59CACFB48F9&__utma=1.1742793304.1352875581.1352875581.1353910342.2&__utmc=1&__utmb=1.1.10.1353910342" size="large"]BUY TICKETS[/button]  ...Read more »

In advance of its official release on February 26, 2013, the album art for "Nyash UP!" is out! As Chicago Afrobeat Project's fourth studio effort, the group took a unique approach on the album by mashing Radiohead and Fugazi with Fela Kuti, while also reinterpreting songs from Marvin Gaye, Talking Heads, System of a Down, Ceu, 808 State, the Vandermark 5, and Led Zeppelin. Listen to an audio preview of "Inner City Blues Make Ya Wanna Holler (Marvin Gaye)" featuring Chicago vocalists Ugochi and Squair Blaq. Discounted pre-orders are also available now....Read more »

[button link="http://www.ticketfly.com/purchase/eventV2/179357?__utmx=-&__utmv=-&__utmk=218289433&__utmz=1.1353910342.2.2.utmcsr%3Dgoogle%7Cutmccn%3D%28organic%29%7Cutmcmd%3Dorganic%7Cutmctr%3D%28not+provided%29&wrKey=0DB91E432749B2A1B22BB59CACFB48F9&__utma=1.1742793304.1352875581.1352875581.1353910342.2&__utmc=1&__utmb=1.1.10.1353910342" size="large"]BUY TICKETS[/button] Prepare for a very special night as Chicago Afrobeat Project celebrates 10 years and the release of its new album "Nyash UP!" on Saturday, December 15, 2012 the Double Door in Wicker Park. The night will feature many surprises and special guests. Special guests: JC Brooks of JC Brooks and the Uptown Sound Ugochi Also on the bill to help celebrate the night are our good friends: Occidental Brothers Dance Band International Fatbook Bloco Maximo About "Nyash UP!" "Nyash UP!" is the Chicago Afrobeat Project's fourth studio release and its first in four years. The band took a unique approach the album by reinterpreting the music of artists who have made an impact on them over the years. Radiohead and Fugazi are mashed with Fela Kuti, while Talking Heads, Ceu, System of a Down, Led Zeppelin, 808 State, Marvin Gaye, and the Vandermark 5 are reinterpreted by the band. The album is by far the group's most ambitious recording to date. Listen to a track from the new album: "Inner City Blues Makes Ya Wanna Holler (Marvin Gaye)."  ...Read more »

What's up, West Coasters! It's been a minute since we've headed your way, but we're coming out with a vengeance for a three work tour June 21-July 7 through Nevada, Utah, California, Washington, and Oregon. AND... we're touring in advance of our new record, "Nyash Up!" so you'll be sure to hear some new tunes. We've set an official release date of Tuesday, August 14. Stay tuned for more info on the record, as we have quite a bit up our sleeve for the next few months. We'll see you soon, son! Chicago Afrobeat Project Tour Dates: Wed June 20 - E String - Las Vegas, NV Thu June 21 - Zanzibar - "Afro Funke night" - Los Angeles, CA Fri June 22 - Groovefest - Cedar City, UT Sat June 23 - Snowbird Ski and Summer Resort - Snowbird, UT Sun June 24 - Salt Lake City Arts & Music Festival - Salt Lake City, UT Tue June 26 - Silver Moon Brewing Company - Bend, OR Wed June 27 - (daytime show) Western Oregon University - Monmouth, OR Thu June 28 - The Royal Lounge - Olympia, WA Fri June 29 - The Jazzbones - Tacoma, WA Sat, June 30 - The Goodfoot - Portland, OR Sun, July 1 - Twisp River Pub - Twisp, WA Tue, July 3 - The Royal Room - Seattle, WA Wed, July 4 - Pangea - Quincy, CA (sponsored by KQNY) Fri, July 6 - Friday Night Live at the Plaza - Cloverdale, CA Sat, July 7 - TBD ...Read more »

FELA! The Musical In Chicago: AFTER PARTY! from The Shrine on Vimeo....Read more »

If you dig afrobeat music, you gotta hit this show. We're playing the official after-party for the opening night of the FELA! musical in Chicago at The Shrine. Ugochi is performing with us, Get Up With the Get Downs play first, and DJs to follow. Meet the cast, too. Going to be off the chain... This is a Wednesday night, so plan on taking off work Thursday! If you want to buy tickets to the show, use the discount code "afrobeat" and receive 30% off!...Read more »

We're back at the Bottleneck in Lawrence tonight (Fri., March 9th) for an 18+ show with Soul Rebel and The Beast opening at 9pm. What can we say other than that Lawrence rocks. Can't wait. Then Saturday, March 10th we're at Mojo's again in Columbia, Missouri with the Goodfoot Soul Revue from Kansas City. It's gonna be another blast of a weekend on the road and we hope to connect with some of you. C'mon out and hang for a minute. See you soon!! CAbP...Read more »

It's been a few months since our last Chicago show, but we're finally back on it this weekend at one of our home bases, Martyrs' on 3855 N. Lincoln Ave. The bandSubplane will be joining us. We've got several brand new songs for you, some as-of-yet never been unleashed upon Chicago ears which makes us excited. The show starts at 9:30 and advance tickets are available (you'll save a few dollars if you buy them online before the show). Can't wait! Advanced tickets available from Martyrs' website. Admission is $10 (advance) and the show is 21+! See you soon!!...Read more »

For the first time since our early days back at The Note in Wicker Park, we're bringing our NYE show to the northwest side for a two-stage NYE event at The Abbey Pub. The "Chi-Town Meltdown" features an electric stage with us, Animate Objects and Van Gordon Martin. On the other side is an acoustic stage headlined by Sexfist and also with Old Shoe. Tickets are $25 in advance or $30 at the door, and there are VIP tix available for $60 with open bar, reserved seating and more. With the event kicking off at 8 PM, this is going to be one to remember. We'll see you on the other side... 2012!...Read more »

We're proud to announce that this Friday's show on 11/25 in Chicago is now a part of the Rally at Reggies presented by Occupy Chicago and includes a performance from Chicago Afrobeat Project as well as JB-tribute Get Up With The Get Downs. Tickets also include free bus transportation to/from the show at four different locations across the city. Beer is included on the bus from local brewery Half Acre. DOORS: 8 PM SHOWTIME: 9 PM Bus Pick-up locations are as follows:   Pick Up 1: 7:45 PM - Panchos (Logan Square - 2200 N. California) Pick Up 2: 8:00 PM - Big Star (Wicker Park - 1531 N. Damen) Pick Up 3: 8:15 PM - Occupy Chicago General Assembly (Loop - Michigan/Congress) Pick Up 4: 8:30 PM - Maria’s, with food provided before pick-up by MANBQUE (Pilsen - 960 W. 31st) Return Trip: Bus departs to four pick-up locations 15 minutes after show ends   Pre-sale tix  are $10 and day-of-show tix are $12....Read more »

Hard goods! Get yer hard goods here! The 2008 EP "Off the Grid" is on sale via the Chicago Afrobeat Project website for just $7! The album features three previously unreleased tunes as well as an upbeat dance mix of "Media Man" by Backseat Bingo. It's H.O.T. Off the Grid (2008) $6.99 ...Read more »

We're heading out to Kalamazoo--a town with at least 8 years of CAbP history this Friday, May 27th to perform on the new Bell's Brewery stage through their new sound system.  Should be rockin'.  Next on Saturday the 28th we're playing in Yellow Springs, OH again.  We're hoping to add some more memorable experiences this Memorial Day weekend.  See you there if you're in the region. And coming next week, we're off to Boston, Brooklyn, and Vermont on Wed/Thurs/Fri for a marathon 3-off to the East Coast.  Our show at Zebulon will give us another to chance to vibe on the Brooklyn scene that gave us a warm welcome a few months ago.  Booyaah!...Read more »

We're heading out towards Colorado today with a stop in Lawrence, KS tonight at Bottleneck. Looking forward to some sunshine on our first trip out west this year. We're also excited to be performing 2 shows in Colorado with our good friends, Euforquestra. Dates include: Wed., April 13th: The Bottleneck / Lawrence, KS Thurs., April 14th (w. Euforquestra): Cervantes Other Side / Denver, CO Fri., April 15th (w. Euforquestra): Aggie Theater / Fort Collins, CO Sat., April 16th: SECRET SHOW t.b.a. / Denver, CO See you around!! CAbP...Read more »

We're excited to announce that we'll be starting up a 3 month long series of shows at the Shrine (2109 S. Wabash St.) in Chicago.  As part of the 'Uprise' series we'll be playing a show along side DJ ?estlove Saturday, April 23rd (We can only hope he may want to sit in on drums--fingers crossed!).  This event will be $10 before 11pm, $25 after.  The 3-show run will be continued on Saturday, May 21st and Saturday, June 25th with special guests, additions, and details TBA.  But you can bet we'll bring the whole house for these Chi-town throw-downs! The Shrine is named and 'vibed' after the club with the same name from Lagos, Nigeria--the club where Afrobeat music was developed by pioneer Fela Kuti in the 60s and 70s.  We're hoping to help seed something of an Afrobeat 'scene' here in Chicago that stands on its own legs.  Help us by checking it out!...Read more »

We're headed from the snowy Midwest to an even snowier East Coast beginning Thursday, 2/17 with stops in Vermont, Mass, NY and more. Looking forward to teaming up with some great bands and DJs on the tour, too. Here's the scoop: Thu, 2/17 - Vassar College (Matthew's Mug) - Poughkeepsie, NY Fri, 2/18 - Art's Block - Greenfield, MA - with Shokzoba Sat, 2/19 - Stratton Mountain - Stratton, VT Tue, 2/22 - Johnny D's - Boston, MA Wed, 2/23 - Le Poisson Rouge - New York, NY - with Zongo Junction Thu, 2/24 - Cameo Gallery - Brooklyn, NY Fri, 2/25 - Brass Lantern - Reading, PA Sat, 2/26 - Carpool - Herndon, VA (DC area) ...Read more »

Friday, October 29th, we're heading out for another run through the western states. After a show at the Bottleneck in Lawrence, KS we're playing two Halloween shows in Denver at Quixote's. The band is then heading through the Northwest and California with stops along the way out and back. We hope some of you will join us at one of these shows in the next 2 weeks. Also, as an early heads up, our new CD titled, "Nyash Up", will be coming out in about 2 months! -Friday, October 29th: the Bottleneck / Lawrence, KS -Saturday, October 30th and Sunday, October 31st: Quixote's / Denver, CO -Monday, Nov. 1st: Urban Lounge / Salt Lake City, UT -Wednesday, Nov. 3rd: Nectar / Seattle, WA -Thursday, Nov. 4th: Eastside Club Tavern / Olympia, WA -Friday, Nov. 5th: Silver Moon Brewery / Bend, OR -Saturday, Nov. 6th: the Good Foot / Portland, OR -Tuesday, Nov. 9th: Red Fox Tavern / Eureka, CA -Wednesday, Nov. 10th: Boom Boom Room / San Francisco, CA -Thursday, Nov. 11th: On the Rox, Roxy Theater: Los Angeles, CA -Friday, Nov. 12th: the Green Room / Flagstaff, AZ -Saturday, Nov. 13th: the Compound Grill / Phoenix, AZ Hope to see you out on the road! --CAbP...Read more »

We're excited to announce our 1st performance at The Shrine in Chicago (2109 S. Wabash) as part of Felabration week -- a series of Afrobeat performances around the US commemorating Fela's birthday.  We're playing this Wednesday (October 13th) along with DJs Tone B Nimble and Joe Bryl starting around 9:30PM.  CAbP is also performing Thursday night at the Redstone Room in Davenport, and Friday at the Cedar Cultural Center in Minneapolis. ...Read more »

Spring has been a little quiet on the touring front for CAbP, as we've been hunkered down in the studio getting ready to release our next record. To get rid over this cabin fever we're excited to get back on the road June 18-26 for a slew of dates in the Midwest and East Coast. Peoria, Yellow Springs, and the Mid-Summer Meltdown festival are all on the list of dates, and our July tour dates will be announced soon. Stay tuned!...Read more »

Starting April 9th, CAbP is making our way out west for our first big travel of the year. We were given a great opportunity to work along with ISAW (International Society of Africans in Wine) as one of the main bands on their "Drink Well, Do Good" tour. Several of the shows on our tour are affiliated with ISAW whose goal is to bring more of the revenues from the $3.3 billion South African wine industry into the communities that surround, work for, and sustain these businesses. The shows will serve as fundraisers for this cause. All the shows will be united in one far reaching cause which is to help YOU get your groove on. (kidding, but seriously) We'll be starting in Colorado and working our way through California and the Northwest. Complete list of dates: Fri., April 9th:Quixote's (formerly Owsley's) / Denver, CO Sat., April 10th: Quixote's (formerly Owsley's) / Denver, CO Sun., April 11th: the Salt Water Cowboy / Avon, CO Mon., April 12th: Belly Up / Aspen, CO Wed., April 14th: Tree House Lounge / Reno, NV Thurs., April 15th: Jambalaya / Arcata, CA Fri., April 16th: CODA (ISAW show) / San Francisco, CA Sat., April 17th: Sengthong's Blue Sky Room / Dunsmuir, CA Mon., April 19th: Applegate Lodge / Applegate, CA Tues., April 20th: Eastside Club / Olympia, WA Fri., April 23rd: John's Alley / Moscow, ID Sat., April 24th: The Good Foot (ISAW show) / Portland, OR Sun., April 25th: Chop Suey (ISAW show) / Seattle, WA Hope to see some familiar faces on the road this year! CAbP...Read more »

This is year is slowly coming together for us starting with a few regional tours in February.  The week of February 1st takes us to Lexington, KY, Birmingham, AL, and Athens, GA for an unusual Monday to Wednesday tour.  Later in February we return to Detroit and Cleveland.  In March we have shows in Minneapolis and Ashland, WI.  With any luck, April and May will see us dotting around the U.S. based on some 'too-early-to-drop' developments in the works.  The West Coast is on the horizon 2 or 3 times this year and an assortment of Eastern U.S. travel plans as well. We'll be sure and let you all know....Read more »

Our good friends at "Live Music News and Reviews" gave us a great write up for the show on Saturday (Dec. 19th) at Martyrs' in Chicago. Thanks!...Read more »

Finally, we've booked ourselves in our home town for what should be a really good night of music.  At long last, we've hooked up a show with friends Brian Keigher and Matt Fusello (a.k.a. DJ Warp and Radiohiro) whose collective alias--Bombay Beatbox--will be rocking two sets.  Our other guests are the James Brown tribute band Get Up with the Get Down.  We'll be at Martyrs' on December 19th,  our band loaded with all our Chicago guests--dancers, talking drum, Antar on the mic, etc.,.  TIME TO PARTY IN CHITOWN!!  Let's hang out!...Read more »

We're headed back to the Bottleneck in Lawrence, KS this Friday, Oct. 9th for what will likely be another fantastic time in one of the coolest college towns in the Midwest. The Delta Saints are opening for us this time. On Saturday, Oct. 10th we return to Gramophone in Saint Louis with Mama Rogers as the supporting act. It seems as though Gramophone is a one of the new hot-spots to be. Looking forward to it. In other news, the band is repeating a similar route to our Summer Tour '09 starting Halloween weekend in Colorado, progressing through the Northwest again and down through California. We'll be playing many of the same venues in the same cities as this last summer with a few changes to the game plan. Highlights include Halloween in Crested Butte, CO, a 3 night run in San Francisco at Mojito, a stop at the University in Tempe, AZ, and a gig in Las Vegas on Friday, the 13th (bad night to gamble I'm guessing)....Read more »

We've completed our major Summer touring for 2009 and would like to thank everyone who came out to support us.  Our travel this Summer took us nearly from coast to coast with memorable stops all over the US.  In the latter half, we returned to the casinos of Reno, followed by another great club night in Salt Lake, a 2nd rendezvous with Bill Kreutzmann in Denver at Cervante's, and one of our better nights in Lincoln, Nebraska.  We had a great time at the Mulberry Mountain Harvest Fest, revving things up on the 1st night and making numerous friends quickly.  And we always enjoy the warmth of the Southeast.  We're planning a Northeast tour at the end of September / early October including a stop in NYC at the Blue Note for a late night set Oct. 3rd. Check our list of dates below.  We'll be hitting Milwaukee, Marquette, Chicago, and other Midwest cities and towns throughout September.  See you around!...Read more »

We've finished the first big leg of summer touring in 2009.  It has definitely been one of the (if not THE) best west coast tour we've had--our fourth total.  The band had solid performances throughout with our strongest line-up to date. There are probably too many interesting, memorable, and/or hilarious things to talk about, but a few outstanding highlights. We witnessed, and were surprised by, the overall rowdiness of the Boise bar scene early in the tour.  We also found an amazing spot to camp on the way there near the Anderson Dam in Mountain Home, ID.  It was our first time to the Northwest and we're convinced that we need to hit up that region of the US more often. The Oregon Country Fair may have been the biggest highlight of our trip.  After a warmly received performance on the main stage, we were later invited to sit in on the 2 1/2 hour night time jam with Bill Kreutzmann (drummer, Grateful Dead), Scott Murawski (Max Creek), and Papa Mali.  The entire band sat in for a long, surprise jam session for a crowd of thousands.  And the vibe there was beyond intense--40 years (since the summer of '69) in the making. All of our shows were memorable for one reason or another, but the major Cali shows were some of our best yet.  We were treated to an unexpected wild party on a Sunday in Eureka at the Red Fox.  Yoshi's in SF was incredible, and the scene at Zanzibar in LA blew us away.  Looking forward to getting back out west as soon as we can....Read more »

Metromix Chicago has named Chicago Afrobeat Project one of the Top 10 Acts at Taste of Chicago.Check out the full story, and check out ourshow on Monday, June 29. The show will feature our dancers, our friend Antar as vocal emcee, and our old pal Chadwick for some live painting. It's a Power Show ya'll! Everybody say "yeah yeah!!'"...Read more »

Our West Coast tour '09 is approaching the final stages of planning.  We've got dates booked for the 4th of July weekend through the 3rd weekend of July.  The band has confirmed performances in Colorado, Oregon, and California.  Some highlights include a show on July 4th at the Peak to Peak fest in Nederland CO, a set at the Oregon Country Fair, Bend Fest near Eugene OR, Yoshi's in San Fran, Zanzibar in Santa Monica, and others.  Check in the 'Shows' section for complete details. Later in the summer we'll be heading to the Southeast with a stop at the Mulberry Mountain Music Festival in Arkansas, then heading out to hit some other cities in the surrounding states....Read more »

What's up, ya'll? Ahh... the economy. It's on everyone's mind. But there's no better way to put aside recession blues than to head to an afrobeat show. Whether our country is beginning to bounce back from the economic downturn or not, the CAbP tour machine hits the road again this weekend with a quick run east. We stop at the Jazz Kitchen in Indianapolis on Friday, 4/10 and at Brothers Lounge in Cleveland on Saturday, 4/11. In other news we're deep into our next studio project -- probably a little over halfway complete with the entire album. We have more recording to do in the next couple months, and we'll then dig into the intense editing/mixing phase in late June. We're taking a different conceptual approach to this work which will surprise both critics and fans a like. Plenty of special Chicago guests will be featured as is the case with our other albums, but the overall sound is different for us this round. It's still CAbP, but we're approaching the songwriting from a different mindset -- and keeping a tight seal on all the surprises. We're working on the project over at Fullerton Recording Studios in Logan Square run by our keyboardist and engineering whiz Kevin Ford. Check it out: www.fullertonrecording.com. We'll see you this weekend: Friday, 4/10 - Indianapolis, IN The Jazz Kitchen 10 pm $10 www.thejazzkitchen.com Saturday, 4/11 - Cleveland, OH Brother's Lounge 10 pm $5 supported by: Groove Prophets www.brotherslounge.com Peace people! CAbP...Read more »

The first weekend in April we're going to Ohio for a short Spring run-off.  We're back at Peaches in Yellow Springs on Friday, April 3rd--a nostalgic spot for some of us and a 'band-girlfriend-producing' town for Angelo Sax.  Then on Saturday we're starting the festival season of '09 with "Hookah In the Hills" in Guysville, OH (some of us hope it's more like 'Chicksville", as you could imagine).  It might be the right time to wipe the winter dust off of your tent and sleeping bag, load white gas into your Coleman stove, and have a trippy campy time near Athens, Ohio....Read more »

It's out now! Our most recent EP Off the Grid released last month for digital download atiTunes, eMusic, and everywhere else you can download digital music. You can of course also by a hard copy directly from our website where we released the disc a few months ago. We even added some new gear to our web store so be sure to check that out. Who cares about losing jobs when you can wear a CAbP t-shirt? Oh, and while you now have some extra time on your hands, don't hesitate to read every page of the 407-Page Stimulus Act. Find out how to get back on your feet with the help of Uncle Sam. Let's make sure these funds are put to good use. Hey, it's your money to begin with! The new disc features three original tunes as well as a couple remixes of "Media Man" from our late 2007 album (A) Move to Silent Unrest. Included are: 1. (A Warm) Global Warning 2. Ich Fumbus Grossen 3. Nobody Likes a Prima Donna 4. Media Man (radio edit) 5. Media Man (Backseat Bingo Remix)...Read more »

The CAbP performance at the Morse Theater in Chicago on March 21 has been canceled. The club is shutting down (we all hope temporarily) and they have canceled many of their shows. Stay tuned as we'll have other Chicago dates posted soon....Read more »

We're headed down to Florida for a week + long tour of the state.  Warmer weather is sure to await us in those parts.  We've got a solid line-up in the works so if you live in Florida be sure to check us out.  Chances are we're playing within an hour of where you live at some point.  Dates include: Fri. Jan. 16:  State Theater - St. Petersburg, FL Sat. Jan. 17:  Skipper's Smokehouse - Tampa, FL Sun. Jan. 18:  Common Grounds - Gainesville, FL Tues. Jan. 20: The Social - Orlando, FL Wed. Jan 21:  Ocean Deck - Daytona Beach, FL Thurs. Jan. 22:  Hurricane Grill - Marathon, FL Fri. Jan. 23:  Hollywood Beach - Hollywood, FL Sat. Jan. 24:  Live Wire Music Hall - Savannah, GA ...Read more »

Check out the entire December '08 Morse Theater show online: Set 1: March of the Uninsured Superstar pt. 7 Open and Close Fix and Release BSCG2 A Summons Nobody LIkes a Prima Dona Zambie Tibet On It Set 2 Egbe Mio 116 - Higher the temp, longer the wait Jekajo A Warm Global Warning 3 Snare Colonial Waiting Room Talking Bush Cloister New Bell ...Read more »

CAbP is performing at Reggie's Music Joint this year for a long overdue New Years Eve show in Chicago.  Start making plans to go now.  You can buy tickets and get information at their website, or go directly to ticketweb for tickets to the show. Doors are at 8pm. It has all the makings of being a truly raucous NYE with the band, so please come out and party with us. Special guests and fanfare will be spreading celebratory madness!! Reggie's is located at: REGGIES MUSIC JOINT 2105 South State Street Chicago, Illinois 60616 (312) 949-0120...Read more »

Our Southeast tour was a grand ole time.  It ends our 2008 tour year for us with a sweep through (mostly) Tennessee, Georgia, and a memorable stop at the Bear Creek Festival in the Florida panhandle.  Truly a great spot for a festival and the music was superb with performances by Soulive, Ivan Neville, Robert Walters, and the New Mastersounds, to name some highlights.  Lots of instrumental driven funk stuff, and to my personal enjoyment, a whole ton of Hammond B3 organ tunes.  The rest of 2008 involves a show at the newly opened Morse Theater in Rogers Park in Chicago, a one-off to play at Off Broadway in St. Louis, and a New Years Eve show at Reggie's on Chicago's near south side.  A Florida and Southeast tour happens again in January, this time taking us down to the southern reaches of the state.  We can hardly wait. It's been a great year of touring, seeing old friends, and meeting new people on the road.  Looking forward to some great show opportunities in 2009.  One last thing:  Don't start the winter holidays too soon.  Revel in the the continuing FALL season with things like corn-a-copias, clay pots full of hay and corn husks, gords and squashes, Indian corn--items like that.  Please REFRAIN from putting up winter decorations until AFTER Thanksgiving.  Thanks, and see you in 2009 (unless you live in Chicago or St. Louis).  PEACE!!...Read more »

Check out the first show of our November 08 Southeast tour on E-tree. ...Read more »

CAbP is celebrating the historic victory of Barack Obama as the next President of the United States by touring the Southeastern United States in a red state filled victory lap for our home town hero.  We know there are plenty of Obama supporters in this region, and good people on both sides of the fence, but we're bringing the music of the original "Black President" down on a wave of victory for the first black President of the USA. We have stops in the following cities along the way: Blue State:  Columbus, OH Red State:  Nashville, TN Red State:  Knoxville, TN Red State:  Athens, GA Red State:  Chattanooga, TN Red State:  Savannah, GA Red State:  Columbus, GA Blue State:  Live Oak, FL And don't forget, we'll have copies of our new EP, "Off the Grid" available at shows.  See y'all soon!! GO 44!!...Read more »

We now have our new EP, "Off the Grid" in our hands and ready to disseminate to the willing public.   It features 3 new original, previously unreleased tracks by the band as well as a radio edit of 'Media Man' from our last album and an electronic remix of 'Media Man' by Backseat Bingo.  In other news, we're playing at Spookstock near St. Louis on Halloween night (Friday).  Click on the links in the 'performances' section to find out how to get there, how much, etc.,.  We'll catch you all at the down stroke of midnight.......Read more »

This week we're off to Middlebury, VT and NYC, NY.  On Friday, we're performing at MIddlebury University, then chugging over to Harlem for a show at the Shrine.  Looking forward to some leisurely driving and some nice "tree action" on the way.  It appears we'll be back on the road in our tour bus for this one now that our vehicle is supposedly no longer akin to a bike with square wheels. Later in the fall, we're booked for 2 weeks in the Southeastern US ending up at Bear Creek Music Festival with stops in Nashville, Athens GA, Chattanooga, and other fine Southern towns.  And don't forget that we're playing a Halloween show at "Camp Zoe" in Missouri.  Our bus may be converted to a haunted house thrill ride that takes you around the country leaving you stranded in the middle of nowhere with strange "locals" milling around who want to 'help you out"!...Read more »

Back to High Noon Saloon in Madison again on Thursday this week (Oct 9), then up the U.P. for 2 back to back shows at Upfront and Co. in Marquette, MI.  Madison has been a consistently fun town to play in for us.  We've been to some great after parties.  Angelo even got a free frozen pizza at one of them, way back when.  We shared the stage with our comrades 56 Hope Road last time.  This time around the dub/hop-hop group Nama Rupa is opening for us.  Marquette is sure to please, if for nothing else than the calzones at Upfront.  We look forward to seeing some of our friends who are stranded up in that remote area, mostly studying for a college degree.  Can't say we haven't enjoyed our share of debauchery in that part of the country as well.  The friendly staff at Ramada Inn, the lovely waitresses, Uncle What's-His-Name's canoe rental outfit--it all adds up to a grand time.  Soon the waters of Lake Superior will ice over and the Marquetians will hunker down for another frigid winter.  Not before we warm their hearts with a sizzlin' hot riff!  Let me interject right now quickly thatSarah Palin sucks!! See you soon y'all.  Get out the VOTE!!!...Read more »

We're off to Bowling Green this weekend for a Friday show, gracing the stage at Howard's yet again.  It'll be our 3rd time playing there.  The 1st time was off the hook.  The 2nd time, we played after a series of metal bands and it wasn't working so well, but we're almost sure that this time will be really, really good.  After that, we're off to another performance at 'Hookah In the HIlls', an outdoor mini-fest put on by our friends in Ekoostik Hookah.  We're playing Saturday.  It's in Guysville, which is near Athens, Ohio.  Tickets are around $40 for the weekend. Also, I swear that our new EP, "Off the Grid" is on its way.  We had an issue with the master recording we sent them--the one used for duplication.  We have new posters, stickers, merchandise, and other Afrobeat Project Projects all in the works and available soon....Read more »

We continue our Midwest touring in Fall '08 to the states to our immediate west/northwest, but only after a 1 week hiatus.  September 25th brings us to MSU near Minneapolis at the Performing Arts Center--an early show from 7 to 9pm.  Then we continue on to the Zoo Bar once again, in Lincoln Nebraska--site of many a truly revelrous show and some bizarre police interaction due to a drunken altercation with a plate glass window at the clothing store next door.  All's well in the end....After that, on Saturday, the 27th of September, we hit the Iowa City Yacht Club in, well, Iowa City, IA--our favorite venue to play in IC despite the giant water main line in the middle of the stage.  We seem to be more "invisible" at other venues in that town.  We'll catch up with our friends in the area when we arrive.  And a fond farewell to our good friends in Euforquestra who moved to Fort Collins, CO.  Guess they like mountains.  Best of luck to them indeed....Read more »

Summer of '08 was an eventful one for us, taking us from one coast to the other in a short period of chronological time.  We ran as much vegetable oil in our bus as we could, engaging in many interesting conversations with folks about it, and also saving mad cash.  The West Coast tour was a string of amazing shows mostly at outdoor festivals and the weather never washed us out.  We also made it back to New York City, where we're most likely returning this fall.  Looking forward to the summer of '09 already....Read more »

We retrieved our bus this last weekend from the post WestCoast tour storage in Colorado after performing at the Carbondale Mountain Fair--a truly awesome time for the band.  It's getting harder to leave these western states, but we still like coming back to Chicago after these jaunts.  No worries for the homies. We're performing Tuesday night (July 29th) at a fundraiser for One World Africa along with Zeleke and Funkadesi at the Wild Hare in Wrigleyville.  Starting around 11pm ourselves, but don't miss these other guys either.  We have a few guests joining us including local hip hop artist Antar.  Don't miss it folks!...Read more »

Our big summer tour has brought us safely back to Chicago with a lot of crazy tales to tell.  We put about 5500 miles behind us with stops all over the western US along the way.  There was a string of festival dates to kick things off with a few club stops scattered here and there.  Our Salt Lake City arts festival gig was completely off the hook, to name one, but our shows in MIchigan, Idaho, Montana, and southern Utah (Cedar City) were also super memorable on the way out west.  The weather was basically perfect the entire time save for the haze and smoke created by the extensive forest fires in California.  We spent four days at the High Sierra Music Festival in Quincy, CA with two performances--a late night set and an afternoon slot on the main stage. At High Sierra we had a few impromptu jams with some of the members of Gamelan X and Sambada at the bus camp as well as a slew of percussion jams sitting on the back of our gear trailer.  Other stops in California included a great show at Yoshi's in San Fran where we loaded up on Sushi and a little waste veggie oil fuel for the bus, and stops at Temple Bar in LA where Jason Thor (trombonist virtuoso) joined us, and a show at Winstons in Oean Beach, San Diego.  The band also stopped in for a show at a great venue in Crystal Bay, Nevada on Lake Tahoe at the Crystal Bay Casino.  We rendezvous'ed with our good friends from Chicago-based 56 Hope Road in Denver at Cervantes Ballroom before playing a great 'finale' show at one of our favorite clubs to play anywhere--the Fox Theater in Boulder, CO. A lot of hard work went into keeping us...Read more »

It's a lot like last year's summer tour, but longer and more bad-ass!  Also, with any luck, we'll be burning a great deal of waste veggie oil this time.  Hopefully our engine won't explode driving up mountains with the distinct smell of freedom fries blowing out the exhaust pipe.  Highlights include: Teusday, June 24th: our first time in Missoula, MT at 'The Loft' Monday, June 30th at the new Yoshi's in San Fran A first stop in Santa Cruz at Moes, July 1st July 4th and 5th at High Sierra Music Festival A return to Temple Bar in LA on July 8th Fox Theater on July 12th Check out the "Performances" section in the links above to see our full summer tour schedule, which also includes stops in Boise and McCall, Idaho; two festival dates in Salt Lake City, a return to San Diego, CA and Denver, CO to name a few more.   ANY TIPS ON WHERE TO FIND CLEAN, VEGETARIAN WASTE VEGGIE OIL ARE OF GREAT SIGNIFICANCE TO OUR CAUSE AND THE GREATER ENVIRONMENTAL MOVEMENT WORLDWIDE! Special thanks to KCRW for our return to Temple Bar in Santa Monica, CA.......Read more »

This week brings us down to the Kansas City, MO, Lawrence, KS, and up to Lincoln, NE.  We're playing the Bottleneck in Lawrence on Friday for the 1st time.  Should be exciting.  We've played through a few peoples' entire college experience in that town now that we've been at it for a few years.  In other news, Angelo, our tenor sax player as we all know, has been down with the Chicken Pox of all things for a few weeks. We're rootin' for him, as well as the entire 3rd grade class at Lincoln Park Elementary.  No connection between the two really other than the Chicken Pox, but it's good to rally the cause....Read more »

Late February is taking us to a few spots in Wisconsin.  We're performing at the Racine Theater Guild on the 28th and doing a 'leap year' performance at the Alvord Theater at Northland College in Ashland, Wisconsin.  The Ashland show is free and open to the public.  In other news, we'll be starting another recording phase in March and have a 4 song EP coming out soon also.  Happy Winter.......Read more »

This Friday, CAbP helps Milwaukee get over the New Year's blues with a special performance at the Mirammar Theatre. Master talking drummer T.J. Okulnola from Lagos, Nigeria joins us for the performance along with CAbP dancers Tosha and Koya. Live artist Chadwick will paint on the spot, and we'll be introducing some recently written material to Milwaukee. If you haven't had chills from music in a while, come play along with CAbP. Tickets are only $8....Read more »

After many years (more than five!) of playing our 1st Saturday of the month "First Beat" series in Chicago, we're moving onward.  No more 1am to 5am sets at Kinetic Playground.  The first Saturday in February (the 2nd) will mark the end of an era.  It all began at the Note in Wicker Park playing for the rowdy off-the-streets crowds that packed into the place at 2am as the earlier bars closed.  We had many a fun night there.  Kinetic was a nice change of venue--really cool atmosphere.  The fact is, we've decided we're only going to play more 'accessible' shows from now on (for the most part) covering the 'normal' evening entertainment hours.  Who knows, we might even try out some new venues.  Stay tuned for a whole array of unpredictable events with CAbP around Chicagoland!...Read more »

Hip hop meets afroeat this Friday night, January 11, at the House of Blues in Chicago when CAbP helps Kenyan/American band Extra Goldenwho has serveral members currently living in Kenya and unable to work due to the humanitarian crisis there. The Kenyan Red Cross is raising $15 million for for 500,000 Kenyans suffering from a recent post-election uprising in Kenya. CAbP is donating a portion of the House of Blues benefit to both Extra Golden and the Kenyan Red Cross. At the performance, CAbP will feature emcees from the All Natural Crew along with break dancing from the Chicago Brickheadz, CAbP's African dancers, and live art from Chicago artist Chadwick (Mos Def, Cook Kids, Lady Soverign). Master talking drummer T.J. Okulnola from Nigeria also joins the band. Fareed Haque kicks off the night at 9 p.m. VIDEO PREVIEW OF THE SHOW: Chicago Brickheadz       Emmonia       Eboney & Tosha     ...Read more »

We're injecting some urban elements into our Chicago House of Blues show on Friday, January 11.  We will feature some socially conscious emcees along with breakdancing from our friends the Chicago Brickheadz. Of course, CAbP dancers Tosha and Koya wil perform their take on traditional West African dancing, and our live artist Chadwick will paint some works on the spot....Read more »

The afrobeat machine moves for a quick trip -- well a slow trip throuh the snow -- to Kalamazoo on Thursday, Dayton on Friday, and Yellow Springs on Saturday. We want to take a second to thank all of our new Iowa City and Davenport friends for making it out to the shows last weekend -- what a blast. Most fun we've had in a long time. And you guys like Obama. What more could we ask for? I suppose we could all stay active after an election year -- that goes for us too. Keep conscious. See you this weekend....Read more »

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The new album "(A) Move to Silent Unrest" is now officially released! The first printing offers a limited edition copy with an 8" by 12" fold out poster of album artwork done by Lemi, the visual artist who's done numerous Fela Kuti albums. We will be celebrating the release of the album with a series of CD release performances through the rest of October in Philadelphia, New York, Lawrence, Lincoln and Chicago -- go Cubbies.  Order your copy today.  Thanks!...Read more »

Thursday, August 1st brings us to Milwaukee for Jazz in the Park.  We have a little time off in August for many of us to travel apart from the band to various spots on the globe--Mexico, Alaska; places like that.  There's a string of festivals coming up towards the end of August.  Check the schedule for more info....Read more »

We're starting a 4 show run this weekend at the Note in Chicago for "I Love House Music Wednesdays"--1565 North Milwaukee Ave., 12 to 1am with Kennedy Octane.  It's our 1st time there since it was our long-time running "1st Beat" spot (which has now moved to Kinetic Playground as you may know).  Thursday is a return to Champaign, IL at Cowboy Monkey, followed by a gig in Peoria on Friday (Universal Rhythm Assembly) and a show at Spin Nightclub in Indianapolis on Saturday, June 23rd.  Presales of our 2nd album are happening now at a discounted cost of $12/CD (it'll be $15 when it comes out)....Read more »

Summerdance is coming up this week on Thursday, June 14th--opening night.  We're playing in Grant Park off Michigan avenue near Adams.  Our 2nd CD is done and we're gearing up for the release in a few months.  The artwork has been provided by Lemi, the artist who did tons of Fela album covers.  In other news, our tour bus is back in the Chicago metropolitan area awaiting some final adjustments before it can once again entertain us and our friends with the spectacle of its sheer size and numerous odd features. There are also a variety of additional festival dates scheduled for this summer including Dogstock, Jazz in the Park in Milwaukee, Forecastle Festival,  Celebrate Clark Street in Chicago, Art Street in Green Bay, and the High Sierra Music Festival in Quincy California in July--2 days, Saturday and Sunday, July 7th and 8th.  We'll be making stops on the way out and back in the western states, so stay tuned.   End the war!!!  See you around........Read more »

This Friday brings us to Lucas School House in Saint Louis for an evening show, then Saturday at the Broadway Oyster Bar for an afternoon show (3pm).  That night, we're performing at "Forty Niner Bye Bye" in Springfield, Illiinois.  Then a late added show--House of Blues on Sunday--sets us opening up once again for Steel Pulse, international mainstays in Reggae.  Thanks to all our supporters for keeping us moving!  Too bad the Bears lost a fair fight in Miami, but yo, in 2027, when we're in our fifties, they'll come back for what they left behind!!  They'll be passing scoring touchdown bombs and we'll be passing kidney stones!  PEACE!, WE OUT......Read more »

This weekend (Feb. 1st through 3rd) takes us down to St. Louis for a show at Wash U (private / for students), then to the Red Stone Room once again in Davenport, Iowa, and back on Saturday for our "First Beat" show at the Kinetic Playground.  The last show at Kinetic drew one of the funnest crowds there for us so far.  We start at around 1:30 AM.  Kinetic Playground is across the street from the Aragon Ballroom on Lawrence, near Green Mill and the Riviera....Read more »

We made it back from a highly encouraging California tour.  Our first time there was a total blast.  After driving nearly 40 straight hours to San Diego via the "Route 66" way, we met up with Particle for a show in Solana Beach.  The following night's show in LA was off the hook with Rhythm and Roots All Stars opening up.  Several members of that band were acquaintances from Colorado days for a few of us, so there was a strange "small world" vibe to it, not to mention that the crowd was off the hook.  San Francisco was equally good with an old friend Jason Thor sitting in on trombone, normally seen with Brian Setzer Orchestra--a serious west coast hitter who's recorded with Quincy Jones and Stevie Wonder.  We spent NYE in San Fran at a small bar called the Fishbowl.  Angelo got lost and ended up at IHOP, Garick was knocked over by drunk females (accidentally),  and we all got...well....drunk as all hell.   If we can avoid blowing up another diesel engine, we'll be sure to try that run again sometime.  Word up to Shamrock Texas, and a nod to Clay and the boys.  We'll be taking donations for a new diesel engine at all our shows for the next 2 years.  Don't forget the late night Kinetic Playground series back in effect in January (first Saturday, the 6th), and February with special guests in the works.......Read more »

Members of CAbP are excited to perform with other afrobeat bands at a tribute to Fela Kuti on Friday night, December 1, 2006. Brooklyn's Northsix will host the event free of charge, and the event takes part on World AIDS Day. in the spirit of Fela's late night performances, the show will be late-night at midnight. Money raised from the performance will benefitJournalists Against AIDS Nigeria (JAAIDS). The Northsix has donated the facilities and all performers have donated their time for the event. 100 percent of the money collected at the door is going to JAAIDS. The bands and musicians involved all perform afrobeat music throughout the United States and abroad. As of November 13, the line-up consists of members from CAbP, Kokolo (New York), Chopteeth (DC) and Boston Afrobeat Society (Boston). More artists are expected be added. JAAIDS is a media-based non-governmental HIV/AIDS prevention advocacy organization. JAAIDS constructs and implements innovative communication programs to help change behavior to reduce the spread of AIDS. According to UNAIDS, 5.4% of the population in Nigeria is infected with HIV. In addition, at least 270,000 Nigerian children are infected with HIV, and the country has the world's highest number of AIDS orphans. Last month Omololu Falobi, founder/executive director of JAAIDS, was killed in Nigeria from injuries sustained in an armed robbery operation on his way home in Alagbado. The robbers shot at him while trying to avoid the shoot-out. Falobi was on his way home from a speaking engagement where he addressed young entrepreneurs on the importance of social responsibility. EVENT DETAILS: Date: Friday December 1, 2006 Time: Midnight Location: Northsix 66 N. 6th Street, Brooklyn,NY11211 Web site: www.northsix.com Cost: Suggested donation between $7-$10. Restrictions: Open to the public Confirmed Performers: www.chicagoafrobeatproject.com www.kokoloonline.com www.chopteeth.com www.bostonafrobeat.com...Read more »

It is with deepest sympathies that we announce the death of Omololu Falobi, founder and executive director of Journalists Against AIDS Nigeria (JAAIDS), the non-profit organization that creates innovative communication programs to help combat AIDS in Lagos, Nigeria. Falobi was killed during an armed robbery on his way home from a speaking engagement to teenagers about social responsibility. On a personal note, Omololu showed immense enthusiasm in partnering with Chicago Afrobeat Project from our very first email exchange. He worked dilligently with us to craft appropriate messages for our CD release party and ongoing communication at our performances.  We are further saddened that Omololu did not live to see CAbP's largest donation to the organization which we contributed just days after his death (prior to hearing the news). We look forward to working with the organization further and helping to promote Omololu's vision for JAAIDS. Farewell to a Fearless Advocate EURweb - MOURNING THE LOSS OF AIDS LEADER OMOLOLU FALOBI: Senseless Crime Takes Life of One of Africa's Best and Brightest allAfrica - Nigeria: Tears As Slain Falobi, HIV/AIDS Activist Goes Home allAFrica - Nigeria: Tears As Slain Falobi, HIV/Aids Activist Goes Home allAfrica - Nigeria: Unmask Falobi's Killers, NGE Tasks Security Agencies allAfrica - Nigeria: Death of HIV/AIDS Crusader allAfrica - Nigeria: Activist Journalist Gunned Down ...Read more »

We made it back from the Rocky Mountain region alive, but changed forever.  On the road bus repairs cost us some delays, and forced us to rent a fleet of mini-vans for the mountain shows, but we hauled all 15 tons of our bus back eventually.  Not before a tire exploded on us and the exhaust pipe broke in two places.  Ahh well.  1982 luxury has 2006 prices.  Next we have dates in Ohio, Iowa, and we're heading towards our New York tour in December.  Check out the "Performances" section for more info....Read more »

Off to Jimmy Sea's again in Green Bay for a Thursday performance this week.  Then Friday and Saturday is our triumphant return to Marquette Michigan at Upfront and Company.  After a brief boycott by the local Alphamale Stigma Pie fraternity, we've been re-welcomed by the local "cool people."  Both nights are sure to pack very different experimental twists and turns.  Click on the "Performances" link above for details on  this weekend's shows.  Don't forget to request your favorite Americana Classic played by the onboard computer on our new tour bus including "Deep in the Heart of Texas", "If I were a rich man", "Wild Blue Yonder" and other American RV classics....Read more »

This Friday night we cap off our two-week return to Chicago with a 10 p.m. performance at darkroom on Chicago Avenue, collaboarting for the first time at a event with Mwelma, who hosts an residency at darkroom on the second Friday of every month. In addition to our show, expect an eclectic mix of down tempo, future boogie, afrobeat, latin grooves, Brazilian beats, African variety and house with resident DJ 4BZ with guest DJ Select. On Saturday we'll brush off any lingering snow from our bus (early snow showers here in Chicago this morning) and truck down to Champaign for a gig at The Canopy Club. Print out this page and bring it to the Champaign show for a $2 discount. We'll see you there....Read more »

We're enjoying a rare weekend off this week.  We're gonna party like mad all over town, freed from the confines of the stage and insane from months of touring, a 2nd album recording session, and lots of free schwag beer and well drinks.  We're also giddy from getting mentioned briefly in Esquire magazine.   Look for remnants of CAbP in local bars, clubs, a really cool party on Saturday by our bus parking spot,  and in the revery of sweet freedom, no thanks to George Bush and the global war on tear(-r)!  In other news, Cavestock was a mud party run by angry ex-deadheads and didn't pan out.  We couldn't park our tour bus in their muddy grass and were soon chased off the premises by angry hippies--failed revolutionaries, now addicted to trailer crack, we surmise.  It was all very strange.  (What's with all the Sudafed?)  Carbondale, at the Hangar 9, was a blast as always.  Check out our 2nd of the new "1st Beat" series at The Kinetic Playground on Saturday, October 2nd....Read more »

We're taking the Magic Bus down to Cavestock Harvest Fest 3 this weekend in the Shawnee Caves Amphiteater.  We're performing around 4pm on Saturday afternoon.  It's a camping and music event so get what may be your last dose of good weather (hopefully).  That same night, on Saturday (the 23rd), we're riding a short way down to Carbondale to play at Hangar 9 once again.  Check it out if you're in the neighborhood.  Hotels are cheap, but we're parking by the caves for the night....Read more »

Friday's show keeps us at home as we perform a part of the annual Chicago World Music Festival. We will be sharing the stage of the Park West with Teddy Afro from Ethiopia. CAbP hits at 8:30 sharp, so get there early. Saturday night we play a couple hours east at a lake-side down in Michigan called St. Joseph's. We've played the club (Czar's) once before, and there are good folks there....Read more »

The new CAbP 35' Bluebird Bus is heading out for its first tour with the band this weekend. We've got shows in Nashville, Atlanta (at a Brave's game), Decatur GA, and finally in Charleston SC. Stop by the RV for some strawberry/banana daquiris....Read more »

We are pleased to announce that DJ Jesse de la Pena and guitarist Bobby Broom will join us at Kinetic Playground on Saturday, September 2 for the return of "First Beat," the monthly late-night CAbP series from 1-5 a.m. Jesse has long been one of the most in-demand Chicago DJs, and we're honored to have him join us. After honing chops with Miles Davis and other jazz greats, Bobby now performs in the Deep Blue Organ Trio at the Green Mill in Chicago on Tuesdays as well as in his own trio around town. Keep checking back at our site as we'll be announcing more guests soon. The return of First Beat will start off on the right foot......Read more »

For a few of us who grew up in St. Louis, we head back home next weekend for a gig at Blueberry Hill's Duck Room on Delmar Avenue. All you STL locals know why it's a legendary venue in town, and all if you who don't should come check out it out to see what the fuss is all about. Tickets are $10 and we'll be performing with special guest Papa Ray, the Soulselector, doing a funk, dub African and reggae mix. We'll also performa a special in-store performance at Vintage Vinyl on Delmar at 6 p.m. Friday....Read more »

In late-breaking news, CAbP's debut album from '05 has just reached No. 11 on the CMJ Top 20 New World Music chart. Listen to your local college radio stations to hear CAbP on the air. You can also download CAbP's entire debut album from iTunes....Read more »

Our first show for the 2nd weekend in August is happening Thursday, the 10th in Madison, Wisconsin at the student Union.  It's a free show right on the lake (weather permitting).  Last time it was a blast even though we had to move it inside due to cold weather.  On Friday the 11th we're performing at the River Music Experience in the Red Stone Room in Davenport, Iowa--a great looking room and stage, and it's a 19 and over show.  Finally, on Saturday we hit Martyrs again as headliners.  In other news, we're scoping out a 35 foot 15 ton tour bus straight out of the Afrobeat time machine.   You might see us pull up in it really soon.  We're so excited....Read more »

The first weekend in August brings us to the Retro on Rosco outdoor festival on the corner of Leavitt and Rosco in Chicago.  We play from 4pm to 5:30pm on Sunday, the 6th.  Our friends Cornmeal are performing right after us on the same stage.  For those interested in an "unofficial" educational performance with many members of CAbP (and a few young guests), check out the Art Institute on Saturday the 5th at the Family Day event.  We perform a short show from noon to 1pm....Read more »

This week we're heading for shows in the surrounding states.  Thursday brings us to Colubus, Ohio for our 1st show at Little Brothers; from what we've heard it's a great venue.   Taste of Kalamazoo in Michigan follows on Friday, once again playing before the Jerry Garcia Band--minus JG,  of course.  It's really more like the Melvin Seals Band, which is just fine in and of itself....Saturday is a return to Grand Rapids, this time at Ten Bells--a peanut free venue, which is good news for the keyboard player who played our last show in GR doped out on Benadryl ("Bennies" as they're know on the street)....Read more »

Look for CAbP on the bill these summer music festivals in '06. Click the links below for full festival line-ups: July 21: Taste of Kalamazoo - Kalamazoo, MI July 30: Bele Chere Music Festival - Asheville, NC August 6: Retro on Rose - Chicago, IL August 25: Orton Park Festival - Madison, WI August 26 - Art Street - Green Bay, WI ...Read more »

On Saturday, July 8, we return to HotHouse in Chicago for two shows: an early show at 8 p.m. and an evening show at 11:30. One ticket for $15 will provide access to both shows, and live art will be provided by CAbP's favorite Chicgao artist, Chadwick. The night will run as follows: Early Show 8:30 p.m.: CAbP early set Late Show 9:45 p.m.: DJ Kennedy Octane 10:30 p.m.: Sekou Conde's West African Percussion Group 11:15 p.m.: DJ Kennedy Octane 11:30 p.m.: CAbP late set...Read more »

You can now download our entire debut album on iTunes. Also, feel free to write a review or two while you're there. You can also buy a hard copy of the album in our store....Read more »

The band is working on the beginning phases of a new CD this month and taking a relative break from touring.  We still have a small number of dates on the books for May however, playing in Madison, Milwaukee, our monthly Note series, and a show at the Cubby Bear the end of this month.  We have a confirmed spot at Wakarusa this summer and are playing a number of festivals around the U.S.  With any luck our 2nd studio album will be out before the end of '06.  Stay tuned.......Read more »

This weekend takes us down river for two shows on Friday in the Gateway to the West, St. Louis, Mo. We first play an intimate in-store performance at the legendary music store Vintage Vinyl on Delmar at 5 p.m. (a short set where we will be selling discounted CDs). That evening, we then return to Off Broadway in Soulard for a full performance with local world music band Dub Kitchen. Dub Kitchen will open the evening around 9 or 10, with CAbP to follow. Based on our elbo-to-elbo peformance last time at Off Broadway, we're expecting a big turnout, so get there early claim your dancin' room. Saturday evening we return back to Hangar 9 in Carbondale, Ill. It will be good to see ya'll college folk once again!...Read more »

The band had a great time during our 10 show run to the Rockies and back. Great spring weather, skiing (or in Marshall's case snowboarding), hiking, and of course, playing lots of shows for mostly new audiences. Opening for Buckethead at the Park West kicked off the tour which ran through Des Moines, Lawrence, Boulder, Winter Park, Steamboat, Dillon, Laramie, and Denver. On an anti-climactic note, the Pizzeria show in Omaha was cancelled. Not before we ate our 8th pizza dinner of the tour together! (Every club assumes we'd like nothing better than a nice cheese pie when we settle in. After 10 shows of it you'll want to quit pizza for months). Still, you can look for us in Omaha most likely by the end of the summer, back to the kind wait staff and warm cheese piles, and of course, the miles and miles of endless brown plains of grass off the highway. Next up is a few days in the Carolinas. We'll see you 'rado folks in a couple months. Lookin' forward to more Fig 8's and some fresh Pow-Pow (and some ra-a-a-d Afrobeat jammies)!!...Read more »

The Rocky Mountain Tour '06 has taken us to four new towns over the last week as well as a return visit to one of our favorite towns, Lawrence, Kansas. Just four more shows to go on the tour, though we're having such a good time that we wish we had 30! So far we've recruited some new fans in the organically friendly town of Boulder, Colorado (a big change of pace for us urban Chi-town boys). At stops in Winter Park, Des Moines and Steamboat Springs, we've been digging the new crowds and showcasing some new CAbP material. The Rocky Mountain Tour '06 has taken us to four new towns over the last week as well as a return visit to one of our favorite towns, Lawrence, Kansas. Just four more shows to go on the tour, though we're having such a good time that we wish we had 30! So far we've recruited some new fans in the organically friendly town of Boulder, Colorado (a big change of pace for us urban Chi-town boys). At stops in Winter Park, Des Moines and Steamboat Springs, we've been digging the new crowds and showcasing some new CAbP material.   Tonight takes us to Dillon, Colorado for a gig at Dillon Dam Brewery near Keystone and A-Basin ski resorts. Some of us will catch a few runs at keystone on Friday, so look for us if you're on the mountain if you're in the area. Friday evening takes us to our first Wyoming gig at a local bar called Buckhorn in Laramie known more for its fast-picking bluegrass than its heavy-hitting afrobeat. We're thinking our funky change of pace will heat things up for a crowd that loves to dance. Saturday night takes us down out of the mountains back into Denver for a gig at Dulcinea's Hundreth...Read more »

Starting with this Thursday's Buckethead show at the Park West, the band's starting a 10 show run in to Iowa, Kansas, Colorado, Wyoming, and Nebraska.  We're playing a full week in Colorado with shows in Boulder, Denver, and a few mountain towns.  Check the schedule for details.  Bring your skis and hit the slopes with us!...Read more »

Our 3 night run in New York State went well. Some very receptive audiences. Great time had by all in the city. We were treated to kindness by a condo doorman that let us park in front of his building and acted as hired security for our vehicle. He let us wheel our equipment down the street on his luggage cart. This week we perform in Milwaukee and at the Note in Chicago. Check the "performances" section for details.......Read more »

The band's 2nd trip to the state, but will include our 1st ever performance in New York City. CAbP will play at Makor Jazz Club in upper Mid-town on Saturday, March 25th. New York has become the nation's capital for Afrobeat music with Antibalas, Kokolo, Femme Nameless and others, all native to the NYC area. We're also performing in Syracuse and Ithaca in upstate NY. Check the calendar for details.......Read more »

We'd like to thank everyone who came out for our House of Blues headline on March 17th.  It's a great privilege to play such a fantastic venue.  The crowd energy was electric and the turnout was good. See you there again soon!...Read more »

Chicago Afrobeat Project returns to the Chicago House of Blues for a headlining gig on Friday, March 17. Also included on the bill are Musical Outfits, Frank Tribes Band and Radio Mango. Doors are at 7:30 p.m., and Musical Outfits kicks off the night at 8:30 p.m....Read more »

It is with the deepest sympathies that we announce famed African guitarist Ali Farke Touré died this week -- after just collecting another Grammy award for his collaboration with kora master Toumani Diabte. Toure also won a Grammy in 1994 for a collaboration with Ry Cooder, as you may know as the man who rediscovered the Buena Vista Social Club. Many of us in Chicago Afrobeat Project are great admirers of Touré and are saddened by this loss. For more about the life of Ali Farke Touré, visit: The Times Online World Music Central Salon.com MSNBC BBC ...Read more »

Four months after releasing their debut album, Chicago Afrobeat Project has just received their second batch of 1,000 CDs. You can order the album online, or pick it up at any one of CAbP's upcoming shows. The album features many talented guest musicians such as kora master Morikeba Kouyate on "Jekajo," guitarist Fareed Haque on "BMW," and Diverse and Poetree Chicago as emcees on "Zambi." Pick it up today....Read more »

In early- and mid-April, Chicago Afrobeat Project heads west to the Rockies for a 10-day run of debut performances throughout Colorado and other Western states. Beginning with a kick-off in Chicago on April 6 at the Park West with the mysterious guitarist Buckethead, the group heads to the following clubs and cities: Vaudeville Mews: Des Moines, Iowa The Jazzhaus: Lawrence, Kansas Southern Sun Pub & Brewery: Boulder, Colorado Winter Park Pub: Winter Park, Colorado Colorado Mountain College-Alpine Dining Hall setting: Steamboat Springs, Colorado Buckhorn: Laramie, Wyoming Dulcinea's Hundredth Monkey: Denver, Colorado ...Read more »

We journey east this weekend (3/10 -3/11) for our first appearance at The Acorn Theater in Three Oaks, Michigan and a return visit to little town that packs a big afrobeat punch, Yellow Springs, Ohio. We're hoping that bringing our funk to the elegance of The Acorn Theater will recruit some South Bend and Elk Hart, Indiana folks to the show -- it's only about a half hour's drive for you guys. Pass on the word if you have friends there. In Yellow Springs, Peach's Grill once again hosts CAbP. We look forward to heating up the room with some familiar faces....Read more »

Afro-Nets, the African Network for Health Research and Development, recently highlighted Chicago Afrobeat Project's contributions to Journalists Against AIDS Nigeria (JAAIDS), a non-profit organization that creates innovative communication programs to battle AIDS in Nigeria. According to Omololu Falobi, executive director of JAAIDS, "We deeply appreciate this [donation], particularly coming as it were from a group that maintains close links to Afrobeat and to Fela, whose AIDS-related death did a lot to change the tide in public awareness about HIV and AIDS Nigeria." View more about the contribution at www.afronets.org....Read more »

Saturday, March 4 brings us back home for our monthly late-night gig at The Note from 2-5 a.m. Come feel the vibe as we throw out some hard-hitting afrobeat with some new faces on stage. After a weekend off, we're pumped and ready. See you there. Peace....Read more »

Tonight (Thursday) we brave the winter weather to spend the evening in our favorite small town in Iowa -- Iowa City. We play at the Iowa City Yacht Club, and the evening will begin with local band New Beat City followed by CAbP. The venue is downstairs and cozy -- a great vibe for a Thursday night. Friday takes us back home for a double bill with theFareed Haque Group at Martyrs' Live on Lincoln Avenue. Expect four total sets of music between the two groups and plenty of "sitting in." Saturday we wind up the weekend back north in Madison at the High Noon Saloon. Last time felt really good there, and we're expecting to take it even higher Saturday. See you there. Peace, CAbP...Read more »

We're braving the snow for a visit to three Michigan towns this weeked. We stop off first Thursday night in St. Joe's at Czar's for our first time at what we hear is a tremendously friendly venue. Looking forward to bringing our sounds to some new ears. Friday takes us back to our favorite brewery in Kalamazoo -- Bells. Look for some new faces as we're bringing some new friends Segun and and Shawn to play percussion and kit for some new tunes. Saturday night marks our return to Founders Brewery in Grand Rapids. Last time there we converted quite a crew. If you were there, come back with friends!...Read more »

We'd like to thank each and every one of you for packing the clubs in Champaign, St. Louis and Carbondale this past weekend. We loved the energy of the crowds and owe much to you for making those rooms as packed as they were. We will be back to those towns in a few months, so keep your eyes on our Web site for the specifics. We are taking this weekend off to work on some new material and will be back at The Note for a First Beat show on February 4. Come join us for some late-night grooves from 2-5 a.m....Read more »

The afrobeat machine hits the road again with a three-day run down south: We hit the The Canopy Club in Champaign on Thursday, 1/19, where we play the Groove Jammy event with Beat Kitchen and the Alma Afrobeat Ensemble (view flyer). For Friday, there are two shows in St. Louis: a morning show at Forest Park Community College (11 a.m.) and an evening performance at Off Broadway with Dub Kitchen, a local dub reggae act. We wrap up the weekend with at Hangar 9 in Carbondale, where we split the evening with Abateria....Read more »

Get over the new year's blues with Chicago Afrobeat Project and Abateria, our favorite Latin band from Missouri, as we turn up the heat for an up-beat dance gig at the HotHouse on Friday night, 1/13. CAbP dancers Tosha and Eboney will perform along with talking drum master T.J. Okulnola and other good friends....Read more »

Chicago Public Radio's Passport show , airing on 91.5 WBEZ Fridays at 9 p.m. CT, has ranked the Chicago Afrobeat Project debut album as one of the Top 10 World Music Albums of 2005. Next to albums from Ry Cooder and other great artists, we're humbled by the recognition and would like to thank Chris Heim, host of Passport, and all at WBEZ for their support in 2005....Read more »

Ring in the new year with CAbP at The Note! CAbP starts at 10 p.m., with DJ Shon Dervis and local hip-hop band Bad News Jones to follow CAbP until 5 a.m. Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 day of show. We'll see you there!...Read more »

Chicago Afrobeat Project has been nominated for the second year in a row as Best African Entertainer in the Chicago Music Awards. Vote CAbP on nomination No. 22 at http://www.chicagomusicawards.com. Since it's inception in 1980, The Chicago Music Awards (CMA) celebrates and recognizes the quality and diversity of music and artistry. Each year the Awards pay tribute to the best and the brightest among Chicago area entertainers....Read more »

We'd like to thank everyone who came out to our sold out CD Release Celebrations at Martyrs'. Performing for you was more fun than we could ever expect, and we are happy to provide JAAIDS a significant donation because of the event. If you didn't get a chance to pick up your CD, you can buy it online at the CAbP store. Next up, we're at The House Cafe (Fareed Haque's club) in Dekalb, IL on Friday, December 3 and then a First Beat show at The Note on Saturday, December 4....Read more »

On Friday, November 11, tune in to 91.5 FM at 10:30 a.m. CT to hear Kevin and Marshall interviewed on Chicago Public Radio's daytime radio show "848." Hear the guys field questions at the end of the show about the origins and future of CAbP, the new self-titled album and the CD Release Party on Saturday, November 12. You can listen online at http://www.wbez.org/audio_library/ram/livefeed/livefeed.ram....Read more »

We in CAbP feel it's important to give back to the community in which the source of our music began. As such, we will be donating a percentage of all CD sales of our new album to Journalists Against AIDS Nigeria (JAAIDS), a non-profit group based in Lagos, Nigeria that develops innovative communication programs to help battle AIDS in Nigeria. In addition to donating a percentage of CD proceeds, we will also be donating a percentage of the proceeds from our CD Release Celebration on November 12, 2005. We are hopeful that a representative from JAAIDS can speak a bit about the organization, but we are still working on the logistics. We'll keep you posted. To learn more about JAAIDS, visit www.nigeria-aids.org....Read more »

On Saturday, March 18, Chicago Afrobeat Project will perform at one of Chicago's hottest jazz clubs, Green Dolphin Street. Located at Ashland and Webster, the Green Dolphin is a staple in the jazz scene, bringing talent from the world over to a monstrous stage in a comfortable, upscale room. If you have an entire evening to spare, the food at Green Dolphin is worth a visit. There's also plenty of room to dance. We're lookin' forward to this one with plenty of good friends sitting in like Sly on bass, TJ on talking drum and more. See ya'll there! Showtime: 9:30 p.m. Tickets: $15 Ages: 21+ ...Read more »

Chicago Afrobeat Project and Jeff Parker will appear onstage together March 5. CAbP's "First Beat" series which began almost two years ago has been drawing packed houses the first Saturday of every month. This late-night appearance at 1565 N.Milwaukee Ave, in Chicago's Wicker Park neighborhood, draws a diverse crowd, filling the club to capacity with frenzied dancers until the liquor license ends and the sun begins to rise. Jeff Parker is best known for his guitar work with the Chicago super-group Tortoise, as well as performing with Isotope 217, the Jeff Parker Trio as well as many others. Tortoise helped place Chicago on the musical map by revolutionizing American indie rock in the '90s by fusing together a variety of musical genres. The tasteful guitar playing of Jeff Parker mixed with the dynamics of CAbP will present a truly original evening of music in the Windy City....Read more »

Chicago Afrobeat Project has been nominated this year for a Chicago Music Award in the Best African Music Entertainer category. Cast your vote for CAbP today in the 24th annual Chicago Music Awards!...Read more »

The band has begun recording its first studio album at their rehearsal loft on Lake Street on the west side of Chicago. Due out in Fall, 2004, the album will feature Chicago Afrobeat Project staples from the last couple of years as well as some surprises....Read more »

Ever extending its geographic reach, Chicago Afrobeat Project has booked three performances during the first weekend of the New Orleans Jazz Festival: Thursday, April 22: Maple Leaf Saturday, April 23: The Core at the State Palace Theater Sunday, April 24: CAbP Crawfish Boil Party Visit the CAbP tour schedule for specific venue information. Thursday, the boys bring their funkified Afrobeat blend to the Maple Leaf, a pillar of the New Orleans jazz scene, as they open up for 2 sic featuring George Porter Jr. and David Torkanowski. Showtime starts at 9 p.m. Then on Sarurday, The Core at the State Palace Theater hosts CAbP as they open for the Sam Kininger Band. Shotime is also 9 p.m. Make sure you come hungry on Sunday as the band hosts the CAbP Crawfish Boil in Uptown New Orleans. The show begins at 4 p.m. Call 504.905.7862 for directions. Come one, come all and get yourself caught up in the beat -- NOLA-style!...Read more »

Join us on November 12, 2005 at Martyrs' to celebrate our debut disc we've been working on for almost 18 months. We're playing two shows: an all-ages afternoon show at 2 p.m. and then an evening show at 9 p.m. with Howard Levy, Fareed Haque, Morikeba Kouyate Zach Brock and other guests. Advanced ticket purchasing for the shows is now closed. You can pick up tickets at the door at Marytrs'. We can't wait to see you there. Percentage of Proceeds Benefit Journalists Against AIDS Nigeria A portion of all proceeds from the CD Release Celebrations as well as the CD will be donated to Journalists Against AIDS Nigeria (JAAIDS), a non-profit organization based in Lagos, Nigeria that develops innovative communication strategies to help fight the spread of AIDS. Location: Martys' Restaurant and Pub 3855 N. Lincoln Ave Chicago, IL 773.404.9494 Evening Performance Details (21+) Day-Of Tickets: $12 Special Guests: Howard Levy Fareed Haque Morikeba Kouyate Zach Brock Live art with Chadwick DJ Kennedy Octane to spin between sets Showtime: 9 p.m. Afternoon Performance Details (All Ages) Day-Of Tickets: $8 Showtime: 2 p.m. ...Read more »

Starting in November, Chicago Afrobeat Project will perform a late-night dance set on the first Saturday of every month at Chicago's hot club, The Note. The Note is located at 1565 N. Milwaukee Ave. Billed as First Beat shows, CAbP will perform from 2-5 a.m. Come one, come all -- instead of turning in, come hear us turn up...Read more »

Chicago Afrobeat Project will be taking the stage at the prestigious House of Blues Chicago Saturday, July 9. Expect the works at we debut as the HOB's headlining act. The performance will feature live breakdancers from Chicago's own Brickheadz as well as many musical surprises. Our good friends Free Space will kick off the night at 9 p.m., and we are very excited to have Abstract Giants join us immediately before we play. For those of you that were able to attend the sold out New Year's show at The Note this past year, you will remember Abstract Giants as the amazingly talented live hip-hop group that rung in the new year. Tickets are just $10 in advance and $12 at the door. Doors are at 7:30 and Free Space hits at 9:00. This is a special late night show at HOB, and the music will continue until 4:30 a.m. This is also a very rare "18 and up" show for CAbP, so we hope to see all of you out there who can't experience us in a regular club setting. Doors: 7:30 p.m. First Band: 9 p.m. Ages: 18+ Bands: Free Space, Abstract Giants, then CAbP Cost: $10 in advance, $12 at door ...Read more »

You can view the story on the Chicago Tribune web site after logging in (login/password: cabp/afrobeat) or view the full story below. Article reprinted below courtesy of the Chicago Tribune. "Chicago Afrobeat brings Fela Kuti's word to the people" By Ytasha L. Womack Special to the Tribune Published February 6, 2004 Afrobeat, Nigeria's electrifying contribution to world music, is thriving in the Chicago Afrobeat Project. Viewing themselves as musical ambassadors for an art form few Americans are familiar with, the group hopes to enlighten as well as entertain. "We feel like we're taking the torch and getting [the music] out to people," says David Glines, the band's guitar player. Afrobeat, a hybrid of funk, jazz and traditional African percussion, could easily be pegged as Afro-jazz. The genre was the brainchild of Nigerian political activist and musician Fela Anikulapo Kuti. Kuti's bands were huge, colorful armies of dancers, percussionists, saxophonists, trumpeters and guitarists, with most of his songs criticizing government regimes. He recorded 77 albums before his death in 1997. "We all love James Brown," says Gendelman, "and musically, afrobeat is an extension of that." The Chicago Afrobeat Project was sparked by a group of college buddies including Glines, and manager/percussionist Scott Gendelman, who played in a local rock band together. They stumbled across some afrobeat recordings shortly after Kuti's death in 1999 and instantly "fell in love with it." "We listened to one Fela song and it changed our whole direction," says Glines, who adds that the improvisation and movement in afrobeat is a natural extension of their rock and jazz backgrounds. The friends listened to countless afrobeat classics for over a year before they felt comfortable enough to try playing the music. But it was witnessing a 2001 performance by Femi Kuti, Fela's son and award-winning bandleader, that solidified Glines' decision to form the project with percussionist Marshall Greenhouse...Read more »