To see the full bios of Toubab Krewe, The Nag Champayons, Venezoniks, Morikeba Kouyate, Louis Lesly Marcelin (Sanba Zao) and Cortadito click <br><br><br><br>

<b>Toubab Krewe</b> is an American instrumental band which fuses the music of Mali with American musical styles (particularly those of the Southern United States). The group's instrumentation includes kora (21-string harp-lute), kamelengoni (12-string harp-lute), soku (Malian horsehair fiddle), two electric guitars, electric bass guitar, drum set, and African percussion. The group, which is based in Asheville, North Carolina, was founded in early 2005 and has traveled to West Africa several times, working with local musicians. The band released their self-titled debut album in 2005, which was recorded by Steven Heller at Upstream Records in Asheville, North Carolina. The band released their second album "TK2" on September 7, 2010 on the Nat Geo Music label. Again, it was produced by Steven Heller). <br><br>

In several West African languages, including Bambara and Wolof, Toubab means "foreigner." "Krewe" is a reference to the New Orleans region's spelling of the word "Crew.<br><br>

Video - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wNQem3nakKY <br><br>

<b>The Nag Champayons</b> is a six-man “afrogalactic” jam outfit hailing from Miami’s loosely-knit enclave of Francophone cultures known as “Little Haiti,” who thumb their musical noses at the borders of geography and time. If at moments their sound recalls the patient, psychedelic grooves of Nigerian legend King Sunny Ade with a little Woodstock thrown in, at others, it speaks to some illicit rendezvous between hip-hop, droning sitars, funk, and the Afro-Cuban entire. The New Times Broward says this about the groups sound “It’s Frank Zappa and Serge Gainsbourg wrestling Antibalas Afrobeat Orchestra. It’s Sonic Youth’s plane crashing into Fela Kuti’s boat in the Everglades on the hottest day of summer.” Dark, hypnotic, and defiantly unpredictable, the group defies many boundaries and categories. In the end, the band has come up with the best way to describe it, the Nag Champayons sound is Afrogalactic Tropidelic! <br><br>

Hailing from Miami’s loosely-knit enclave of Francophone cultures known as “Little Haiti,” six-man “afrogalactic” jam outfit The Nag Champayons thumb their musical noses at the borders of geography and time. If at moments their sound recalls the patient, psychedelic grooves of Nigerian legend King Sunny Ade with a little Woodstock thrown in, at others, it speaks to some illicit rendezvous between hip-hop, droning sitars, funk, and the Afro-Cuban entire. The New Times Broward says this about the groups sound “It’s Frank Zappa and Serge Gainsbourg wrestling Antibalas Afrobeat Orchestra. It’s Sonic Youth’s plane crashing into Fela Kuti’s boat in the Everglades on the hottest day of summer.” Dark, hypnotic, and defiantly unpredictable, the group defies many boundaries and categories. In the end, the band has come up with the best way to describe it, the Nag Champayons sound is Afrogalactic Tropidelic! <br><br>

Video - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3QIt7VWEOeY&amp;feature=youtu.be <br><br>

<b>Venezoniks</b> is a one of a kind musical collective that blends Venezuelan folkloric rhythms such as tambores, parranda, joropo and instruments like the cuatro and the cumaco drums with electronic sounds and textures. The project was born out of the desire of a group of musicians to reconnect with their roots and express them in a multicultural urban context. Venezoniks strives to create a seamless fusion of preserving popular culture and innovating through the use of technology. The collective features producer Andrés Ponce, percusionist Alan Reyna, percussionist/singer Memín, cuatro player El David as well as other various musical and multimedia collaborators. <br><br>

<b>Morikeba Kouyate</b> is known throughout West Africa for his electrifying performances and virtuosity with the traditional the Kora. The Kora is a 21- string instrument from the West African countries of The Gambia, Senegal, and Mali . It is an ancient instrument that is part of Africa’s rich spiritual music tradition. <br><br>

Morikeba Kouyate was born and raised into a family of Griots, or Jalis, in Bounkiling Senegal. He began his training at the age of eight and was performing professionally by the age of fourteen. He became successful and well-known for his expert storytelling and Kora playing. As a result of his success, Morikeba was given the opportunity to have his own radio program in Dakar, Senegal. His show was aired throughout Senegal and several other African countries. He also made numerous appearances on Senegalese television. Morikeba Kouyate has played before African royalty and the Presidents of several countries, including Senegal and The Gambia. Morikeba Kouyate is a recipient of a 2002 Illinois Arts Council grant for the Master-Apprentice Program; a 2003-2005 Illinois Arts Council Artstour artist; and a recipient of a 2003 City of Chicago, Department of Cultural Affairs Community Arts Assistance Program (CAAP) grant. <br><br>

<b>Louis Lesly Marcelin</b> also known as <b>Sanba Zao</b>, feeds from the core elements of hidden nature. He can be served with a jumble of rare spices, wrapped on secretly coded papyrus, bridging aromas of the triangle passage to the busy streets of modernity. Born in 1955, this poet in the flesh is the founding member of musical groups SA, Foula Jazz, Samba Yo and Djakata which embody the genuine Haitian Voodoo Jazz genre since the 1970s. An accomplished musician and educator, his electricity takes you to the colorful vibrations of mystical lands, filled of spiritual people and strongly kept traditions. <br><br>

<b>Cortadito</b> is a traditional Cuban Son Duo which focuses on performing the music of early Cuban origins. From Son Montuno to Boleros and Bolero Son, this dynamic duo brings you back to a time when Trio Matamoros, or Ignacio Piniero ruled the airwaves. An era when popular music was Cuban Music and Son Montuno was influencing the world over. From time to time Cortadito is backed by a variety of guest musicians which gives the group a sound reminiscent of the Buena Vista Social Club.<br><br>

<b>DJ Moses</b>, Jack Shaw, creates landscapes of sound. He opens the door to authentic, high quality world music and invites you in to discover (and perhaps remember) how glorious, diverse and deep music can be. Moses leads his audience through a spiritual, musical journey filled with textured layers of impressions and expressions. He calls upon authentic world roots music as his inspiration and foundation.</p>

<p>The African continent, Jamaica, Brasil, Haiti, the U.S. &amp; Latin America are all represented in his selections. His intention is to bring people together by demonstrating – through music – both our similarities &amp; our differences as citizens of the earth. DJ Moses believes that once we recognize that which we have in common with all people we may then open ourselves to discover our differences with respect, interest &amp; compassion. Music is a blessed ambassador &amp; DJ Moses’ work is a blessing.</p>

<p>Originally from New York City, Moses has been living &amp; working in Miami since 1995. Some of the many highlights of his career include being the only DJ to ever perform at The Broward Center for Performing Arts while opening up for Salif Keita (Mali), selecting most and playing all the music for Caribbean Fashion Week held in Kingston, Jamaica in 2002 &amp; 2005, being an invited guest to play music on Rockers International Sound (Kingston, JA) to celebrate the birthday of the maestro, Augustus Pablo in 2005 &amp; every year since</p>