Two blistering nights of progressive jazz await patrons of the +233 Jazz Bar & Grill in Accra as the United States-based Native Vibe band takes to the stage again there on July 8 and July 9.
Native Vibe comprises bassist Nee Sackey and guitarist Bill Macpherson. They were last at +233 in February 2022 for the venue’s Blues & Jazz Festival. Having played together since 1995, the duo has evolved a radiant synergy that always reflects in their carefully-brewed fusion stuff.
The great news for their fans in Ghana is that the band will perform with two special guests also from the United States: keyboardist Kevin Flournoy and saxophonist/flutist Jeff Kashiwa. They are both heavyweights on their own.
Kevin Flournoy has produced, written, performed and recorded with many outstanding artists including Chaka Khan, Dionne Warwick, Gladys Knight, Teena Marie, The Jazzz Crusaders, Ronnie Laws and Kirk Whalum. He has also been involved in performing and providing music for several television projects including American Idol.
Jeff Kashiwa’s firm musical roots started gaining attention in 1989 as a member of a contemporary jazz group called The Rippingtons. He later created a new group called TheSax Pack in 2004 with two other sax players. The widely-travelled Kashiwa has several albums under his own name and has appeared on two Grammy-nominated instrumental jazz recordings by Acoustic Alchemy and The Rippingtons.
“Native Vibe is no stranger to our venue. Every time the band had been here, the response had been overwhelming,” a management member of +233 said. “We are looking forward to a rollicking time with them and their first-rate guests.”
Since the release of its ground-breaking debut album, ‘Medicinal Purposes’ in 1996, Native Vibe has moved on to release more than 10 other albums, a couple of which were recorded live in Ghana. A favourite track of their Accra fans is a Nee Sackey composition titled ‘Doc and the Bottle.’
Also on the bill alongside Native Vibe and their guests is the GH Jazz Collective. With its core membership of Victor Dey (piano), Bernard Ayisa (saxophone), Frank Kissi (drums) and Gaddiel Amoah (bass), the band executes brilliant musicianship at all times and has a reputation as a sizzling jazz outfit.
It should be two nights of memorable fun for all patrons at the +233 Jazz Bar and Grill on July 8 and July 9.
