SWIRLING LOTUS BLOSSOM BANDITS BAND
This group primarily celebrates playing the Mbaqanga (or Kwela) music from South Africa. Strictly speaking, Kwela (‘get moving’, in Xhosa) applied to the penny whistle bands (combined with a particular dance style) of the 1950s, like that of Spokes Mashiyane. Key to its influence is the 1960’s album: Kwela by Gwigwi’s Band (they cover quite a few tunes from this lp), which features the musicians Gwigwi Mrwebi and Dudu Pukwana on alto saxophones. Ronnie Beer on tenor saxophone, Chris McGregor on piano, Coleridge Goode on double bass, and Laurie Allan on drums. These are wonderfully danceable tunes. Harmonically, there is a C-F-C-G7 chord sequence that shows up a lot.
In addition, they play a special diverse songbook of tunes consisting of Dollar Brand, Johnny Dyani, Dudu Pukwana, Stan Kenton, Howlin’ Wolf, Sun Ra., etc. With strong improvisational skills, this group possesses the uncanny ability to create new musical constructions in continuum through the interpretation of their written music.
Featuring:
Michael Evans – leader/conspirator, drums and percussion, Adam Lane – contrabass, Evan Gallagher – co-conspirator, keyboards and arrangements, Jeff Hudgins – alto and baritone saxophones, Michael Attias – alto and baritone saxophones and Peter Zummo – trombone and percussion
Hayini Bo (from Kwela By Gwigwi’s band)
MRA (from Kwela By Gwigwi’s band)
Howlin Wolf Blues (Lightin’ Hopkins)
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AUDIO
Kweeltonga – Gwi’s Gwi’s Band / early SLBB band demo
Wish You Sunshine – Johnny Dyani / early SLBB band demo
Blue Set – Sun Ra / early SLBB band demo
2010
October
The Swirling Lotus Blossom Bandits Band
Issue Project Room
232 3rd Street
Brooklyn, NY
(718) 330-0313
8pm
$10
Featuring:
M. E. – drums, percussion + leader
Evan Gallagher – keyboards + arrangements
Brian Groder – trumpet + flugelhorn
Jeff Hudgins – alto saxophone
Charles Waters – alto + baritone saxophones
Lorne Watson – percussion + drums
Peter Zummo – trombone + percussion
(with the Zach Layton, Ryan Sawyer & Alex Waterman Trio opening!)
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2008
August
The Swirling Lotus Blossom Bandits Band
P. S. 1 Contemporary Art Center
22-25 Jackson Avenue (at the intersection of 46th Avenue)
Long Island City, NY
(718) 784-2084
Featuring:
Michael Attias (reeds)
Matt Bauder (reeds)
Evan Gallagher (keyboard + arrangements)
Reuben Radding (upright bass)
Danny Tunick (drums + percussion)
Peter Zummo (trombone)
Eric Mingus (vocal)
D. J. Poodle Canon DJ’ed in between sets.
1st performance is the Op : Bastards
2nd : the SLBB band
3rd : Jimi Tenor and Kabu Kabu.
3pm
$15
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2004
October
Swirling Lotus Blossom Bandits Band
Zebulon
258 Whythe Avenue
Williamsburg, Brooklyn, NY
9pm
$ by donation
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2003
March
Swirling Lotus Blossom Bandits Band
Sine
North 6th Street
Williamsburg, Brooklyn
8pm
$ by donation
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January
Swirling Lotus Blossom Bandits Band
Pourhouse
790 Metropolitan Avenue
Williamsburg, Brooklyn, NY
8pm
$8
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2002
Monday Night Residencies in July, May & April
Swirling Lotus Blossom Bandits Band
Knitting Factory Tap Bar
Leonard Street
NYC
10pm
$ by donation