The California Jazz Conservatory's Way Out West concert series presents an evening with New Zombies, Oakland's avant jazz world music ensemble, performing one long set of original instrumental compositions. The Way Out West series provides composer-performers from the Bay Area and beyond with a showcase for forward-looking original work in jazz and related genres.
New Zombies:
Aaron Bennett – tenor sax
Michael Zelner – alto sax
Dan Plonsey – baritone sax
John Shiurba – guitar
Randy Porter – guitar
Lynn Murdock – keyboards
Steve Lew – bass
Suki O’Kane – percussion
Jason Levis – drums
with special guest:
Michaelle Goerlitz– percussion
About New Zombies:
Emerging from the Bay Area experimental new music scene, New Zombies is an 11-piece band playing original pieces by Dan Plonsey, influenced by Afrobeat, Afropop, highlife, reggae, and other energetic world music. The band draws its name from Fela Kuti’s landmark album Zombie; its musical inspirations include Fela, King Sunny Ade, James Brown, and Sun Ra, creating a new sound that takes international dance music in adventurous directions. Fronted by four saxes and propelled by a dynamic rhythm section, the group features musicians who can be heard regularly performing some of the Bay Area’s most creative new music.