Blending American and West African influences into a sound all its own,
Toubab Krewe has set "a new standard for fusions of rock 'n' roll and
West African music" (Afropop Worlwide). Since forming in 2005, the
magnetic instrumental quintet has won a diverse and devoted following
at performances everywhere from Bonnaroo to the legendary Festival of
the Desert in Essakane, Mali, known as the most remote festival in the
world. They developed their unique sound over the course of numerous
extended trips to Mali, Guinea, and Ivory Coast, where they immersed
themselves in the local culture and studied and performed with
luminaries. But the group has its roots in Asheville, NC, where many of
its members were childhood friends and long-term musical collaborators.
And it was there, at home in the Appalachians, where the band chose to
record Their sophomore album is Live at the Orange Peel. The new album
captures their outstanding 2008 New Year's run at the Orange Peel in
their hometown. All of the songs are previously unreleased and continue
to mix American rock 'n' roll with the West African musical traditions
the band fell in love with on their travels. Along the way, they
explore the worlds of surf and zydeco, fusing it all together into what
the Village Voice describes as "a futuristic, psychedelic, neo-griot
frenzy" and Honest Tune hails as "one of the most innovative voices in
music today." The new release features collaborations with legendary
spoken word artist Umar Bin Hassan of The Last Poets and fiddler Rayna
Gellert of Uncle Earl. It was produced by Grammy winning producer
Steven Heller, who also produced the band's debut. The band is
preparing to release the album as it continues an extensive North
American Fall Tour.

Date:

Dec 30, 2009

Time:

08:00 PM-11:00 PM

Location:

The Orange Peel
101 Biltmore Avenue
Asheville
, NC 28801