The Next Stage Bandwagon Summer Series presents Afrobeat ensemble Armo, on Friday, August 18 at 6:00 pm at the Retreat Farm, 45 Farmhouse Square, in Brattleboro, VT.
Armo’s intimate and energetic sound focuses on classic and contemporary Afrobeat.
Founded by longtime Antibalas bandmates vocalist/keyboardist Amayo, trumpeter/percussionist Jordan McLean, percussionist/vocalist Marcus Farrar, guitarist/keyboardist Nikhil P. Yerawadekar, drummer Kevin Raczka, and bassist Justin Kimmel, Armo creates spontaneous arrangements of the music of Fela Anikulapo Kuti, The Daktaris, Ebo Taylor, William Onyeabor, The Art Ensemble of Chicago, and original rhythm-based music.
This 5-8 piece band features a revolving cast from the Daptone Records family and NY Afrobeat Scene. Members of the band now include Dave “Smoota” Smith on trombone/keyboards, bassists/guitarists Binky Griptite and Timothy James, saxophonist/keyboardist Tony Jarvis, and drummer Dylan Fusillo.
Collectively the members of Armo have performed thousands of concerts around the world working with such luminaries as David Byrne, Angelique Kidjo, Public Enemy, TV on The Radio, Sharon Jones & The Dapkings, Ornette Coleman, and in the band for the Tony Award winning musical FELA!
Their first release, a self-titled EP, was released on System Dialing Records in 2018 and is available on 10” 45 rpm record, as downloads, and streaming on all major platforms. Their 2020 single New Beginning is available on Bandcamp.
With the goal of expanding the New York Afrobeat Scene, the band holds a monthly jam session at the legendary Bitter End in NYC’s West Village. Most recently they served as the house band for theCity Winery/Carnegie Hall afterparty tribute to Paul McCartney, and have restarted their years-long residency at Brooklyn’s famed Bar Lunatico.
The Bandwagon Summer Series is a family-friendly outdoor cultural performance series running from early May through mid-October. More than 20 performances ranging from a diverse group of musical styles, circus arts, dance, and theater will take place at ballfields, farms, and parks throughout Windham County. Kids under 12 always get in for free, and a dedicated play area will be available at all shows. Refreshments are sold onsite, including the return of the hugely popular Barr Hill cocktails, Lawson’s Finest beers, and food from Crossroads Tacos and Vermont Gelato. Bring a picnic and a blanket or fold-up chair to enjoy our concerts.
Support for the Bandwagon Summer Series is provided by Brattleboro Reformer, Landmark College, Oak Meadow, Barr Hill, Vermont Public, Lawson’s Finest Liquids, M&T Bank, and Vermont Plank Flooring.
Tickets are $20 in advance / $25 at the gate / Children under 12 free. Next Stage will provide a cash bar. Advance tickets are available at nextstagearts.org. For information, call 802-387-0102 or visit nextstagearts.org.
