Global Groove Fest at the Shea

Global Groove Fest at The Shea Theater

WHO: TapRoots, The Lost Tribe, Jose Gonzalez and Banda Criolla

WHAT: Global Groove Fest

WHEN: Friday, August 19, 8:00 p.m. (doors open at 7:00 p.m.)

WHERE: The Shea Theater, Turners Falls, MA

TICKETS: $16 advance/$20 day of show

#GETTOTHESHEA on August 19, 2022, as Matthew King, lead composer and creative force behind the Latin Funk Fusion band TapRoots, will be organizing a “mini-festival” at The Shea Theater that celebrates Afro-diasporic and Latin music, arts and culture. The festival will include live painting, vendors, and incredible performances by world music masters TapRoots, Connecticut’s The Lost Tribe, and the legendary Jose Gonzalez and his Banda Criolla.

Despite being shut down by the pandemic, King and TapRoots have been busy recording a new album, including the release of a new summer single, “Song for the Ocean,” which honors and celebrates the Yoruba Orisha of the Sea, Yemaya. King wants to build on his message of community arts-based celebration, and broaden the area’s awareness and appreciation for Caribbean music. “For most of my life, I have been drawn to exploring diverse styles in music from around the globe, and I’ve known that American popular music was just one of thousands of ways that musicians and artists have expressed themselves, their cultural heritage, and the way they see and experience the world,” King explains. “The idea behind Global Groove is to create a kind of mini-festival vibe, highlighting bands that brought elements of Caribbean and Afro-diasporic music into their repertoire. I wanted it to be eclectic stylistically, but united by a love of rhythm and spirit, as well as great musicianship and a message of unity.”

King’s own band, TapRoots, draws from a number of traditions, including Afro-Cuban folklore, Jamaican reggae, Brazilian samba, Nigerian afrobeat,  jazz, and other elements; “Their influence is blended and married into the overall sound of the band’s musical tapestry of rich harmonies, pulsing rhythms, socially conscious messages, and intricate layers of musical conversation.” While the music is at once familiar - borrowing from elements of rock, soul, reggae, salsa, soul, hip-hop, samba, folkloric rhythms, and beyond - it taps into the roots of these traditions while imagining something refreshingly new. TapRoots brings together both the ancient and contemporary into a musical melting pot that bridges and defies genre. The experience will appeal to all who revel in the music of artists such as Carlinhos Brown, Ruben Blades, Fela Kuti, Ozomatli, Santana, and many others. 

The other two bands on the event’s lineup are a perfect complement to the sonic and creative vision of TapRoots: The Lost Tribe is a drum-centered Afro-funk fusion ensemble, led by multi-percussionist, Jocelyn Pleasant. Their sound winds through many genres that are rooted in West African rhythms and sensibilities, with performances that are full of energy and groove. They have opened for international acts Mokoomba (of Zimbabwe), and Trio da Kali (of Mali), were a featured artist at the 2018 Greater Hartford Festival of Jazz, and won first place at the 2019 Valley Music Showcase (of Western Massachusetts).

“Jose Gonzalez and Banda Criolla” – is anchored by Jose Gonzalez – one of the most distinguished and versatile musicians from Puerto Rico who has performed hundreds of concerts highlighting Latin, Jazz, Spanish, Brazilian, Smooth Jazz, World, Classical, Pop and Caribbean music. Banda Criolla brings the festive rhythmic excitement, color and passionate energy of authentic Latin/Spanish/World Music to any concert hall.

Together on stage they are a Caribbean powerhouse bringing to life the high energy of Puerto Ricos Cuatro (Jibaro music), the excitement of Afro-Boricua drums (bomba and plena) and the elegant guitars of Spanish Old San Juan.