CHICAGO AFROBEAT PROJCT

Chicago Afrobeat Project, winner of the "Best African Artist" award in the 2009 Chicago Music Awards has added new dates to its 2009 Summer Tour. The tour 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 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 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.

Chicago Afrobeat Project Tour Dates:
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
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
August 14 - @Emerald Lounge - Asheville, NC
August 15 - @World Grotto - Knoxville, TN