Dancing into the night: Mdungu

Mdungu is a nine piece band based in Amsterdam. The musicians from Holland, Luxembourg, Spain and Gambia bring their African based music with skill, flair and energy irresistible to any audience.

20101116124252

Information

Date and time Saturday 22 January 2011 23:50 tot 01:30 uur
Location Theater aan het Spui - foyer

Mdungu is a nine piece band based in Amsterdam. The musicians from Holland, Luxembourg, Spain and Gambia bring their music with skill, flair and energy that is irresistible to any audience. African music by Mdungu is a strong musical experience: it funks, it grooves, it moves your feet and feeds your soul. The percussion is dazzling, the melodies enchanting and the vocals captivating, creating a chemical reaction that makes people start dancing and romancing. The moment Mdungu kicks off and the music takes over there is no future, no past. No borders, no passport. The groove is king, and that’s the way it should be.

Line-up

Mdungu

is convincing proof that swinging Afrojazz can also come from the Netherlands. Only in 2009, six years after its foundation, the band made its debut on CD with Afro What!? Afrobeat, jazz, griot-music from Mali and funk melt here into a delicious massive sound. The Gambian Dutchman Ebou Gaye Mada, of Ifang Bondi, plays percussion and raps. Michiel Bel’s and Frank Gones’ guitar-playing is enormously propelling on the one hand but at the same time you hear beautifully screeching solos. But the sound of this band is first and foremost defined by the three-strong mighty wind section who form the frontline of the band. Tenor sax David Beukers, Job Chajes of the Amsterdam Klezmer Band on baritone sax and founder Thijs van Milligen himself on alto, make for a deliciously swinging gang. Drummer Benoit Martiny, percussionist Ruben Montes and Merijn van Wijdeven on double bass take care of the finishing touch. The band have played on many stages and festivals in the past year. It is impossible to stand still or remain sitting, there’s a party everywhere.
20101116124252

Discover