Occidental Brothers Dance Band International

NATHANIEL BRADDOCK, GuitarGREG WARD, Alto SaxKOFI CROMWELL, Trumpet and vocalsJOSHUA RAMOS, BassASAMOAH RAMBO, DrumsChicago's Occidental Brothers Dance Band International plays Central and West African classical dance music, specializing in soukous, highlife, rumba, dry guitar, and other genres from the great continent. The multi-racial band mixes their backgrounds in traditional African music, jazz, and underground rock to bring these sounds to life. Word of the group's electrifying live shows is spreading as they play sold-out shows with Afropop legend Oliver Mtukudzi and art-pop superstar Andrew Bird. They were also showcased at the Pitchfork Festival, Chicago SummerDance, Millennium Park, and the Art Institute of Chicago last summer.The band originally covered songs of Congolese greats Mwenda Jean Bosco, Franco, and Bantous de la Capitale, and their debut album Thrill Jockey/FINA features many of these tunes.