Afrobeat Tribute to Michael Jackson

COMMOTION with DJ Santo

Calling all P.Y.T.s! Put on your dancing shoes for an Afrobeat concert inspired by Michael Jackson's music. Innovative Portland-based composer Ben Darwish will lead a nine-piece band interpret Jackson's songs using Afrobeat techniques popularized by Fela Kuti. Featuring members of COMMOTION, with Tahirah Memory and Gretchen Mitchell on vocals, master African drummer Neindow Mashud, who frequently performs with Obo Addy, and DJ Santo. Don't stop till you get enough!

Ben Darwish is a pianist and composer who has been playing music since the age of six. He attended University of Oregon and received a Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies. Upon graduation, he was awarded "Outstanding Undergraduate Performer in Jazz Studies." Darwish has played with many artists, including Kevin Mohagany, Rich Perry, Ron Miles, Devin Phillips, Esperanza Spalding, Alan Jones, Reggie Watts, Bill Summers (of The Headhunters), Stephanie Schneiderman, Ohmega Watts, and Ryan Dolliver. In 2009, he was nominated for “Outstanding Achievement In Jazz” by the 2009 Portland Music Awards and recently released his second album Ode To Consumerism with his band, the Ben Darwish Trio.

Do not forget about Portland's jazz scene. And if you do, God save you, let Darwish teach you a lesson. Willamette Week