Fanfara Station is an Italian-Tunisian trio that combines the power of a brass band, electronics and North African vocals and percussion.
Inspired by Marzouk Mejri’s memories of his father’s brass band, Fanfara Station celebrates the journeys of the Mediterranean’s migrants, the musical cultures of the African diaspora and the flows that have long connected the Middle East, the Magreb, Southern Europe and the Americas.
It’s dance music created live by only three musicians thanks to the use of loop stations for live over-dubbing. The stage is filled with instruments: scascika, tar, bendir, darbuka, tabla, trumpet, trombone, clarinet and three Tunisian woodwind instruments: nay, mizwed and zocra. Then there are dozens of wires connecting loop stations, controllers and an array of effects pedals. A wide range of acoustic and electric sounds interact and sustain the vocals of singer-songwriter Marzouk Mejri.
The line-up includes Marzouk Mejri on vocals, percussion, Tunisian winds, loops; Charles Ferris on trumpet, trombone, loops; and Ghiaccioli e Branzini on electronics and programming.
Discography:
Tebourba (Agualoca Records, 2018)
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.