Promoting and strengthening the artistic and cultural development of Orange County, North Carolina
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Shaun Martin of Snarky Puppy, Electric Kif
February 25, 2020 @ 8:00 pm - February 26, 2020 @ 12:00 am
Do you wish to rise? Begin by descending. You plan a tower that will pierce the clouds? Lay first the foundation of humility.(Saint Augustine) Yes, Shaun Martin has a natural gift that has been evident since he began playing drums in church at the age of 4. Yes, his mother had the vision to arrange piano instruction from Carolyn Campbell and guide him on his path. Yes, he has several Grammys from his work with Kirk Franklin and the gospel powerhouse God’s Property and Yes, he has a Grammy that crowns his many years with jazz fusion phenomenon Snarky Puppy. But you will not find this information in discussion with this gently powerful man because he wears none of this on his sleeve.
Shaun Martin has been playing, creating, and collaborating for most of his life, yet his contributions go much further than just playing. When you move through the projects that Shaun has been a part of you can feel his style and influence; you can sense his presence throughout the compositions. Shaun’s willingness and ability to be a subtle part of each band has allowed him to be part of the very foundation.
Seven years ago Shaun began a project of his own. A story of his life, a contribution to the world of music from his eyes (and ears). In demand by many, Shaun took his time with the album as the story expanded to include a wider range of experience. And so, on July 7th 2015, Mr. Martin presented to the world SEVEN SUMMERS – a big chapter in the history of the great Shaun Martin. Seven Years. Seven Summers.
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Electric Kif are a Miami-based power quartet that explore the boundaries between rock, jazz fusion and electronic drum & bass. Made up of bassist Rodrigo Zambrano, keyboardist Jason Matthews, drummer Armando Lopez and guitarist Eric Escanes, the “Kif” describe their music as “post-nuclear,” a dynamic mash of hard hitting groove, high octane riffs and cosmic melody.
On September 17th, Miami’s most in-demand fusion band are set to release their newest album, JEFE, an arrival point in the evolution and sweetening of the band’s unique chemistry. Known for their aptitude of seamlessly dipping in and out genres, Electric Kif approach their latest work in symmetry, where no one individual takes charge over the other. The result is a textured sound of infectious rhythm, grooving low-end, edgy rock guitars and an analog spectrum of experimental keyboards. With JEFE, Electric Kif set out to cover a vast area of music, an innovative spirit that reflects influences of Weather Report, Radiohead & JoJo Mayer’s Nerve.
Notable past performances include Ground Up Music Festival, Rochester International Jazz Festival, Miami Downtown Jazz Festival, and more. Performance highlights have also included opening for artists like Snarky Puppy, Ghost-Note, Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe, The Motet, Stanley Jordan and many others. In addition, the band has had some fantastic guest appearances at their monthly Miami residencies with Cory Henry, Michael League, Roosevelt Collier, Mark Lettieri, and other top notch musicians.
