Baraka Moon
Kevin Mfinka
World
African
Doors at 8:30 pm
Show at 9:00 pm
$15 Advance
$18 Day of show
Baraka Moon
Formed on the eclipse of the full moon in 2008, Baraka Moon returns to our stage with its ecstatic global trance grooves for achieving a higher consciousness through listening, dancing, or any other means. Bringing together global citizens with origins in Pakistan, the United Kingdom, Canada, and the U.S., the quartet’s all-original music ignites from ancient Qawaali Sufi trance songs, Indian classical ragas, Middle Eastern overtones, and African drums and percussion, plus the Australian Aboriginal didjeridu. The musicians bring those influences into an uplifting and resonant whole, which the bandmembers proclaim is “spiritually charged and soulful dance music with a positive message of peace for the whole world! Even the Gods are dancing and smiling. Open your soul, sing your heart. Baraka Moon at your service!”
Baraka is the Sufi word for blessing. Charismatic and passionate vocalist Sukhawat Ali Khan fronts Baraka Moon, performing on the harmonium and drawing from his luminary family’s 600 years of vocal tradition with a voice that comes straight from the heart, while one-man-band didjeridu virtuoso Stephen Kent, a globally acclaimed pioneer in bringing the ancient Aboriginal instrument to the contemporary world, plows a deep earthy groove and shakes it down together with Peter Warren's driving drums, as Anastasi Mavrides paints singing constellations with his shimmering guitar.
Kevin Mfinka
Kevin Mfinka is an all-around musician, singer, dancer, multi-instrumentalist, percussionist, and choreographer. Solo or in small groups, he performs his original music based on traditional Congolese folk music. Born in 1973 in Brazzaville, capital of the Republic of the Congo, Mfinka began playing percussion at the age of 7. He danced in traditional Congo ballet troupes and later toured internationally in Brazza Drums.
Mfinka moved to France in 1999 and began composing his own music to the sound of the likembé (thumb piano). His first album, “Congo Drums,” expanded his artistic horizons and gave him the idea to create the Africa Walla group, whose repertoire navigates between Congolese musical traditions and jazz. He added rhythms of African drums (ngoma and djembe) and other percussion along with guitar and bass melodies. With that foundation Mfinka cultivated his artistic vision without forgetting his music’s origins, singing and playing as he creates a festive journey for listening and dancing. Eager to share his culture, he also teaches classes and leads workshops in percussion, as well as traditional dancing and singing, for both adults and children.
