Banda Olifante – Banda Olifante

A fine instrumental ensemble of wind and percussion instruments offering a repertoire influenced by the best popular band tradition, yet mindful of sound experiments ranging from improvisation to western cultured composition, from klezmer to afro-funk.
That’s Banda Olifante. An authentic fusion brass band expressing a warm homage to the brass universe; a tribute to popular band music characterised by intricate yet ever transparent polyphonies, articulated through infectious rhythms of transnational branding. Compositions are partly original, partly drew from jazz and world music contexts.

Culture Music Club – Spices of Zanzibar

The island of Zanzibar, steeped in legend, conjures up endless images of oriental mystery. For more than a thousand years, it has been an important waystation on international trading routes and a meltingpot of African, Asian and Oriental cultures. It is this rich cultural diversity that lends the unique and enthralling music of the taarab orchestras its fascination. The sound of these wonderful melodies taps a wellspring of yearning, transporting the listener to the rolling waves of the Indian ocean, where the triangular sail of a dhow glints white in the sunlight, like the crystalline notes of the kanun zither floating on the groundswell of violin, cello and double bass. The nai flute hovers over the violins like a warm tropical breeze. A distinctly African touch is added by the nightingale voices of the singers and the polyphonic women´s choir. Subtle rhythms on dumbak and bongos accompany the soli on oud lute and accordion.