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He’s a jolly good Fela: Singer Duain
Richmond and eight other dancers will
sing the music of Afrobeat pioneer Fela
Kuti in “Fela! the Concert,” at the Ford
Amphitheater on July 26. Aric Thompson
Fall for Fela!
Free Coney concert celebrates the Afrobeat pioneer
COURIER LIFE, J 24-7 ULY 26-AUG. 1, 2019 41
By Bill Roundy They got the ’beat!
A free concert in Coney Island
will celebrate the music of Fela
Kuti, the Nigerian artist who fused funk
and jazz with African rhythms to create
Afrobeat. “Fela! the Concert,” at the Ford
Amphitheater on July 26, showcases songs
from the biographical Broadway musical
“Fela!,” and has played continuously since
that show closed in 2010, said its musical
director.
“It’s kind of incredible that it still
lives,” said Greg Gonzalez, who also
plays drums in the band. “I feel great
about it. For me, it’s been an amazing
experience.”
It features a 10-piece band, along
with nine performers who both sing and
dance, all working together to create an
incredible show, said the Williamsburg
drummer.
“This band has a lot of really talented
NYC singers and dancers, and I want to
display all their talents,” he said. “We’ve
got a lot of talented musicians, and it’s
going to be damn good show.”
And the dancing is not limited to
the stage — the performers will teach
the audience some African dance moves
during the show.
“We give the audience a quick dance
lesson on shaking your booty,” said
Gonzalez.
The free concert is part of the city’s
Summerstage series, which brings music
to parks across the five boroughs. “Fela!
the Concert” has toured the world,
including a stop at Kuti’s home country
of Nigeria, where they were warmly
received, but the Coney Island concert
will mark the first time the show has
played in New York City. Gonzalez said
that the band members are excited to play
their hometown.
“Playing Summerstage is definitely
a big deal for those of us who are from
here,” he said. “We’re psyched, all of our
friends are coming out, and we’re going
to bring some people on stage.”
Concert-goers who want more of the
Fela Kuti’s music can find similar sounds
throughout Kings County, said Gonzalez.
There are plenty of local bands that play
Afrobeat, including Brooklyn acts Antibalas
and Underground System, he said.
“There’s a bunch of little bands, and a
lot of jazz musicians playing Afrobeat,”
said Gonzalez. “Definitely in Brooklyn
it’s still alive.”
The unique music style pioneered by
Kuti has also evolved into new forms
around the world, he added.
“It’s kind of morphed into this new
style they call Afrobeats — with an ‘s’ —
which is pop music with an African and
Caribbean sound,” said Gonzalez. “It’s
become a part of the African Diaspora.”
“Fela! the Concert” at Ford Amphitheater
(3052 W. 21st St. at the Boardwalk in Coney
Island, fordamphitheaterconeyisland.com).
July 26 at 8 p.m. Free.
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