This band sounds like nothing you've ever heard before. It is a mixture of cantorial, gospel, jazz, funk, and other genres of music all mixed into one band.
"When Connecticuts Afro-Semitic Experience think Jewish wedding, revival meeting and Charles Mingus all at once lays down the groove, your ears pop with strange sensations. A lot of genre combining ends up being mediocrity with an identity problem. But jazz collaborators David Chevan and Warren Byrd are so good at what they do that the resulting mix is compelling and decidedly not esoteric.
Many of the songs sound like straight-ahead jazz at a cursory listen, but the details get cross-cultural fast the melody might turn Middle Eastern while the rhythms go African. When lap steel comes sliding in with a bluesy twang, all bets are off, and the multi-ethnic party really begins. This is multi-culturalism with its hair down, and well worth a listen.
The Afro-Semitic Experience brings home the bacon and the gefilte fish." ----James Heflin, The Valley Advocate.
The Afro-Semitic Experience began performing in late 1999 as an off-shoot of the creative work of African-American pianist Warren Byrd and Jewish-American bassist David Chevan. In 1999 they were asked if they had a band that could perform their brand of Jewish and African-American music. As much as they liked the idea of expanding the duo to perform large ensemble versions of pieces of sacred music, Chevan and Byrd were also interested in finding a musical setting where they might be able to explore not only the sacred sounds of Jewish and African-American music, but the secular as well. At the time they both belonged to the New Haven based jazz group, Bassology. It was not before they began adding new material to the Bassology set lists. Soon the group was jamming on Klezmer, Gospel songs, spirituals, and Yiddish songs along with their usual assortment of jazz and world music pieces. As word got out they found themselves playing the occasional wedding and Bar Mitzvah (yes! We still do play weddings, Bar Mitzvahs and parties--musicians gotta eat and feed their families!! Plus we have fun bringing joy into the world). People in the New Haven area were thrilled to hear a group that could encompass such a wide range of musical styles and languages.
Pretty soon it was obvious that a second band had emerged and that it was no longer Bassology. This is THE AFRO-SEMITIC EXPERIENCE.
The Afro-Semitic Experience's Friend Space (Top 12)
Im proud of being now Your Friend on myspace. Thank you for the acceptation and for the adding Thank You for Mission Here Stay with us- You are our Space. best greetings from Dara Navrodska
Bonjour Le chanteur-Bassiste PATRICK RUFFINO sera en concert: Samedi 7 et Jeudi 19 mars au "Baiser Salé" à partir de 22h Entrée: 12€ En prévente 17€ sur place Adresse: 58, rue des Lombards 75001 Paris Métro: Chatelêt/ Les Halles
voici encore une occasion pour faire la fête.......
Hey-that David Weidenfeld guy below looks familiar but I don't recognize the shirt....wait that's mine!SERIOUSLY: To Dave and the rest of you Afro-Semites; Please come show & some achdut w/your brother musicians in Brooklyn-Be my honored guestat a CD Release Party!!! Sunday June 29th, 2008 Moshe Weidenfeld & New Moments Live at the Jewish Music Cafe in Park Slope,Brooklyn,NY featuring Yaaki Levi(drums), Mike Savino(bass) Elie Massias (guitar)with special guests. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. Moshe Weidenfeld/In the Moment Available on CD Baby and iTunes.
Hey, thanks so much for the add and the friendship, I truly appreciate it! Sorry it took a while, I was in Switzerland, but now I’m back in the US to finish my debut album (featuring Take 6). I’ll keep you posted :))
Greetings from a Swiss brother in Nashville,
blessings,
Vlada
http://www. vladamusic. com
Shalom, What's happening, to David and friends! Great to hear your unique sound again. I caught you live back maybe 6 or 7 years ago @Umass-Amherst. Good to see that you continue to move on together. Drop by my site and check out some great Brazilian artists I have been starting to connect with. Take care!, David
it's so relaxing to listen your songs...it gives me peace of mind, and it kinda takes me places I've never been. Please let me know when you're coming to NY
Afro-Semitic friends,im really thankful for the awesome music you do that transmit happiness,energy and make me feel in a song allover the world at the same time.Really Great talent,creativity and performance,thank you for the add,i feel blessed. My best wishes,Love Peace and Prosperity for you all. From Lima-Perú,
Hey David - I hope you're enjoying the holidays. May the new year bring you good health, happiness, true peace and all you wish for. Drop by anytime and catch some soul! All the best from Israel, Nomi
Hey David - Thank you for finding me. I'm sorry it took so long for me to visit but this was worth the wait. You and your band are terrific! Firstly I love the logo. But the music - so much fun and well done! Much success to you. Drop by sometime and catch some soul. I recently uploaded my version of "The Prayer", a duet with my daughter. Hope you like it. All the best from Israel, Nomi
Hey A-S-E Thanks 4 the request and welcome 2 Connecticut Bands Remember to post your CT Dates in our comments so our visitors know where and when you are playing.
