Chicago Afrobeat Project Adds Dates to 2009 Summer Tour

Winner of the "Best African Artist" award in the 2009 Chicago Music Awards, Chicago Afrobeat Project adds new dates to its 2009 Summer Tour which crosses the U.S. from the West Coast to the Southeast. Known for its blazing live shows, the band blends pulsating funk, aggressive jazz, and rock energy into an explosive stage performance that is classified unmistakably as "American Afrobeat." The group is at the forefront of the [wiki:afrobeat] revival in North America and was recently featured on the compilation album "Rough Guide to Afrobeat Revival."

Chicago Afrobeat Project has released three studio albums to date and is currently working on its fourth for release in autumn, 2009. As a result of its seven-year history, the group’s sound has coalesced into a distinct and refreshing interpretation of the [wiki:afrobeat] music pioneered by Fela Kuti in Nigeria in the early ’70s. The influence of the genre’s politicized and polyrhythmic roots are evident, while the group’s urban-crafted musicianship injects an edgy, improvisational element into the song structures. Drummer Marcus Evans (Prefuse 73, Fred Anderson, Nicole Mitchell) and drummer/percussionist Ricardo Gonzalez (Boubacar Diabate) join Chicago Afrobeat Project for the 2009 Summer Tour. The music ensemble tours in support of its E.P., "Off The Grid" (CAbP Music, 2009).

hicago Afrobeat Project’s confirmed tour dates are:

June 25 The Union Terrace – Madison, WI
June 29 Taste of Chicago, World Music Day – Chicago, IL
July 3 Quixote’s – Denver, CO
July 4 Whistler’s – Nederland, CO
July 6 Exchange Place Plaza – Salt Lake City, UT
July 7 Reef – Boise, ID
July 8 The Good Foot – Portland, OR
July 9 Eastside Club Tavern – Olympia, WA
July 10 Oregon Country Fair – Veneta, OR
July 11 Downtown Bend Festival – Bend, OR
July 12 Red Fox Tavern – Eureka, CA
July 13 Yoshi’s – San Francisco, CA
July 15 Moe’s Alley – Santa Cruz, CA
July 16 Zanzibar – Santa Monica, CA
July 18 Truckee Park Amphitheater – Truckee, CA with Prezident Brown
July 25 Tabfest – Mendon, OH
July 26 Celebrate Clark Street Festival – Chicago, IL
August 5 Studio on 4th – Reno, NV
August 6 Urban Lounge – Salt Lake City, UT
August 7 Dancin’ in the Streets Festival – Denver, CO
August 8 Zoo Bar – Lincoln, NE
August 11 Millennium Park – Chicago, IL
August 12 Mulberry Mountain Festival – Ozark, AR
August 13 Mercy Lounge – Nashville, TN with Rhythmystik
August 14 Emerald Lounge – Asheville, NC with Rhythmystik
August 15 World Grotto – Knoxville, TN with Rhythmystik

Recordings available: Chicago Afrobeat Project, (A) Move to Silent Unrest and Off The Grid