Hopkins Center for the Arts

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U.S. Premiere

Still Black, Still Proud:

An African Tribute to James Brown

Musical directors Pee Wee Ellis and Fred Wesley
with JB Horns alums/special guests
Cheikh Lo (Senegal) and Vieux Farka Toure (Mali)

Tuesday, August 19 • 7 pm
Spaulding Auditorium
$28 • Dartmouth students $5

Godfather of Soul James Brown said it loud: “I'm Black and I'm Proud”—an exuberant declaration, an infectious funk classic, an anthem of Black pride in 1968. Now, two of Brown's chief sidemen and collaborators—saxophonist Pee Wee Ellis and trombonist Fred Wesley—get down, foot it and strut their stuff with an international funk lineup of extraordinary talent. Together, they celebrate how the foundational influence of “The Hardest Working Man in Show Business” continues to connect continents. Crisscrossing from Senegal to U.K. to Mali, this African tribute showcases the cross-fertilization of West African highlife, Brown's brand of soul and funk, and everything in between, from effervescent Afrobeat to traditional Cameroonian music. Superstar vocalist Fred Ross reignites James Brown classics like Cold Sweat and Pass the Peas, rousing people out of their seats with Brown's flair for the extravagant. With the volume at a fever pitch, you won't miss a beat of the heat.

Part of Dartmouth's Summer Arts Festival AFRICAS with support from the Student Programming Board.