Occidental Brothers Dance Band International

Co-founded two decades back in Chicago by guitarist Nathaniel Braddock and saxophonist Greg Ward, Occidental Brothers Dance Band International creates music celebrating the joyful, distinctive sound of African guitar bands. The group has featured various players from around the world during periodic reunions over the years, and for this weekend’s concerts (including April 12 in Chicago) Braddock and Ward will be joined by drummer-composer Makaya McCraven and bassist Joshua Ramos. The quartet will be playing music from the recent album release Likambo Te and segments of 3 Rites: Happiness, a collaboration with Ugandan-American choreographer Edisa Weeks. Tickets for this BlueStem Jazz concert will be available at the door.

media release: BlueStem Jazz and WORT Present The Occidental Brothers Dance Band International, who blend high-energy soukous, rootsy Ghananian Highlife, and African jazz, conjuring the sound of the golden age of the African guitar band. $20 Cover.

This weekend they celebrate the release of their new record, Likambo Te--a mix of African Jazz, classic Congolese rumba, highlife, and our own unique take on this music’s possibilities. These previously unreleased tracks feature the band’s golden line-up of Nathaniel Braddock and Antonio Carella on guitars, Greg Ward on saxophone, Joshua Ramos on bass, Makaya McCraven on drumset, and Asamoah Rambo on percussion. The recording showcases our collaborations with two stellar vocalists: Congolese legend Samba Mapangala and Zambian roots artist Mathew Tembo. The band will showcase this music as well as pieces from the dance piece, 3 Rites: Happiness--a collaboration with Ugandan-American choreographer Edisa Weeks which premiered in New York City in November 2023. 2024 marks the group’s twentieth year of music-making.

Show lineup: Nathaniel Braddock- e guitar; Greg Ward- alto**; Joshua D Ramos-** e bass**; Makaya McCraven-**drums