The Afro-Semitic Experience is an American roots band with a difference--they merge Jewish and Afro-diasporic melodies and grooves, combining the core concepts of ase and shalom - power, action, unity, and peace.
As legendary jazz critic, Nat Hentoff wrote “. . . never before have I heard this lyrically powerful a fusion of Jewish and jazz souls on fire. . .” The Afro-Semitic Experience's music is described by critic Carlos Ramos as "a whoopin', hollerin', testifyin' celebration of multicultural soul music. Imagine Charles Mingus sitting in with a Klezmer band, playing Gospel music set to the polyrhythmic pace of congas and bongos."
The name of the group says it all: Afro-Semitic Experience. Imagine a band that smoothly and creatively moves from Klezmer to hard bop in the same piece. Imagine musicians who have found a way to play with the feel of both a synagogue and an African American church. This is root music-- soul jazz meant to move you as they make a joyful noise!!!
The Afro-Semitic Experience has been together for almost 17 years. The group was founded in 1998 by pianist Warren Byrd and bassist David Chevan. It all began when the duo were invited to play at a Martin Luther King memorial service. They thought this was going to be a one-time gig, but during the reception following the service they had received four more performances. And that is pretty much how it's been since then (word of mouth may be a slow way to grow a group but it is honest and real). As this project grew the duo quickly expanded into a seven piece ensemble that could play music of almost any style from the Jewish and African American musical traditions. In so many ways the Afro-Semitic Experience is a truly American band, albeit the America of immigrants and forced migration and it is the music of freedom that brings these musicians together. In the past sixteen years the band has recorded 8 albums and given concerts throughout the United States.
For more about The Afro-Semitic Experience please visit the band's website: www.afrosemiticexperience.net or send an e-mail to info@afrosemiticexperience.net
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Thomas D. Harris IV Pavilion in Bushnell Park, Bushnell Park, Hartford
The Afro-Semitic Experience will be in concert at the Paul Brown Monday Night Jazz Series at the Thomas D. Harris IV Pavilion in Hartford’s Bushnell Park, or in the case of rain, at the rain venue, Asylum Hill Congregational Church at 814 Asylum Ave, Hartford, CT
The Afro-Semitic Experience perform for the BarnArts Summer Music Series at Feast and Field. Feast & Field is a weekly celebration of music, food and community held in the Fable Farm Orchard. The Feast & Field Music Series is run by BarnArts and the Feast & Field farmers provide locally sourced food and drink, much of which is harvested and produced right in Barnard.
The Afro-Semitic Experience perform a free concert under the stars at beautiful Topstone Park in Redding Connecticut. Bring a picnic dinner and come be a part of the experience!!
Plainfield Performing Arts Center, 1111 E. 2nd Street, Plainfield
The Afro-Semitic Experience celebrate Unity in the Community with our Plea for Peace and hopes for a Brighter Day. Come join the Experience, Let Our Feet Begin to Pray!!
Please join us for our annual outdoor summer concert at Best Video. We'll be playing a danceable selection of some of our favorite Klezmer tunes and we'll turn the Best Video parking lot into a dancehall! If it rains, we'll play inside.
Stacy Phillips (1944-2018)
