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Obasi Akoto
After 15 years of teaching on the university level, Obasi is back to performing and composing full time, most notably with his new ensemble SPARX! SPARX! Is an exceptional group of seasoned professionals whose collective talent transcends boundaries. This ensemble is the culmination of countless performances, where the paths of the musicians intersected, creating and undeniable chemistry and cohesion.
Musicians, like storytellers, thrive in tribes, with their reputations spreading through word of mouth. The members of SPARX! Having collaborated with each other in various configurations and combinations over the years, Sean Jones on trumpet, Warren Wolf on vibes, Tim Green on alto sax, Aaron Goldberg on piano, Obasi Akoto on bass and Alon Benjamini on drums which have converged to create this exciting new creative collective called SPARX! At the heart of SPARX lies the visionary genius of Obasi Akoto. As the band's leader and composer, Akoto is the driving force behind the compelling music that ignites their performances. His compositions embody an explosive blend of innovation, sophistication, beauty and creativity. Obasi's compositions serve as the foundation upon which SPARX builds their dynamic sound.
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Derrick Gardner & The Jazz Prophets: Pan Africa
by Mike Jurkovic
A big man with a big plan and a boisterous sextet at his back, trumpeter Derrick Gardner and his razor-fine Jazz Prophets unapologetically and unflinchingly blow the walls down with Pan Africa. Hyperbole? Not really. Just let Gardner and company free on Jackie McLean's hopscotching Appointment In Ghana" (from Jackie's Bag, his first for Blue Note in 1960). And feel the fever, fervor, and drive. Long time Jazz Prophet's alto/tenor saxophonist Robert Dixon, and trombonist brother Vincent Gardner ...
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