The Souljazz Orchestra is about to embark on their first extensive All-American headlining tour! Formed in 2002, the Ottawa-based collective has been busy over the last several years touring in much more exotic locales than the boring ol’ US of A, making stops in Europe and Africa and sharing bills with a who’s who of afrobeat and soul all-stars and pioneers like Femi Kuti and Sharon Jones.
What will they be playing, though? Most likely a number of tracks from their all-acoustic 2010 Strut Records release, Rising Sun, as well as some deep cuts from their decade-long career. But if it’s new music you desire, you will also be in luck, as The Souljazz Orchestra have promised to play some unreleased tunes from their yet-to-be-named Fall 2012 release, also on Strut. The album is said to feature “heavy tropical cuts,” and really, what more could you ask or desire for your listening pleasure in February?
Worried you’re being tricked into attending a dreaded ‘world music’ show? Well, shame on you for being so narrow-minded! While The Souljazz Orchestra’s sound definitely pulls from a wide range of multi-cultural influences, this is fun, energetic music that doesn’t water itself down for the sake of cross-national togetherness. And come on, check out the various openers — who doesn’t want to go see someone named Dr. Ruckus?
Dates:
02.15.12 - Providence, RI - Fête
02.16.12 - Boston, MA - Scullers Jazz Club
02.17.12 - Burlington, VT - Nectar’s %
02.18.12 - New York, NY - Webster Hall (The Studio) #
02.20.12 - Philadelphia, PA - World Cafe Live #
02.21.12 - Washington, DC - Rock N Roll Hotel &
02.22.12 - Cleveland, OH - Grog Shop @
02.23.12 - Kalamazoo, MI - The Strutt
02.24.12 - Chicago, IL - Double Door - $
02.25.12 - Minneapolis, MN - Triple Rock
% Dr. Ruckus
# Zongo Junction
& The Funk Ark
@ We The People, The Neil Chastain Trio
$ The Right Now
• The Souljazz Orchestra: http://www.souljazzorchestra.com
• Strut: http://www.strut-records.com
