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Sankofa
In February 2006, Sankofa Strings, a progressive collective comprised of percussionist Sule Greg Wilson along with multi- instrumentalist Dom Flemons and singer Rhiannon Giddens, from the Grammy-Award Winning Carolina Chocolate Drops, were taped in concert for inclusion in the award-winning jug band documentary Chasin’ Gus’ Ghost, a film which chronicles a worldwide quest to assemble a comprehensive lineage to Gus Cannon, a seminal figure in the history of American music.
In the 1920s, Gus helmed Cannon's Jug Stompers, one of America's premiere jug bands, whom regularly delighted rambunctious sold-out crowds from Alabama to New York with a showstopper called "Minglewood Blues". Four decades later, the era-defining tune was re-christened as "New, New Minglewood Blues," appearing on the 1967 debut album by a Bay-area jug band called the Grateful Dead.
Duly impressed by Sankofa Strings and their refreshing melting pot of century-old traditional string band music, jazz, folk and blues coated in the context of modern arrangement, Chasin’ Gus’ Ghost Producer/director Todd Kwait offered the band an opportunity to record an album at Nevessa Production in Woodstock, NY, a studio that specializes in recording acoustic orchestras. Three years later, the group took Kwait up on his offer.
Along with original Sankofa Strings members Flemons and Wilson (Giddens had just given birth to her first child and could not make the sessions), The Uptown Strut took shape in the summer of 2009 with the esteemed vocal ambiance of Canadian singers, Ndidi Onukwulu and Allison Russell, whom gracefully take turns up front while also augmenting one another. Dom and Sule Greg are also interspersed throughout as lead vocal captivators.
Joining the groundbreaking ensemble for their historical exploration was John Sebastian, founder of the Lovin’ Spoonful, a Rock ‘N Roll Hall Fame Inductee immensely popular in the late ‘60s that drew inspiration from and paid tribute to jug band music, and pianist Professor Louie, a recent Blues Hall of Fame Inductee, whom fondly remembers the spirited sessions, "While working together in the studio, I realized that all the members of Sankofa have a very deep understanding of music and heritage. As the sessions went on, I felt we all had the same love and understanding of this music.”
From Pandeiro and Bodhran drums to accordion and maracas to kazoo and tambourine to jugs, bones and washboard, The Uptown Strut deftly glides the gamut of instrumentation with Sebastian adding banjo to the Jimmy Cliff classic “Sitting In Limbo” and Baritone guitar and harmonica on the exquisite “If Wishes Were Gold” with a sultry lead vocal by Allison Russell.
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Modern String Band Sankofa, Featuring Dom Flemons Of Carolina Chocolate Drops, To Premiere Debut Music Video “if Wishes Were Gold” On June 27 Via Utne Reader
![Modern String Band Sankofa, Featuring Dom Flemons Of Carolina Chocolate Drops, To Premiere Debut Music Video “if Wishes Were Gold” On June 27 Via Utne Reader](https://s3.amazonaws.com/allaboutjazz/photos/profile/musician/90f3921e156d8b7920d79bee441c9.jpg)
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1888 Media
“If Wishes Were Gold” Features Singer/Instrumentalist Allison Russell of Po’ Girl/Birds of Chicago Digital Single Available July 10 Via Kingswood Records ‘Wishes’ Appears On THE UPTOWN STRUT, A 15-Track Album That Showcases Reinterpretations of Songs by Sly Stone, Ray Charles, Jimmy Cliff, Minnie Wallace, Charlie McCoy, Bessie Smith and Louis Jordan STRUT Features Contributions From Blues Hall of Fame Inductee Professor Louie and John Sebastian of The Lovin' Spoonful New York, NY: On Wednesday June 27th, UTNE Reader will world ...
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Dom Flemons From Carolina Chocolate Drops Collaborates With John Sebastian And Revisits American Classics On SANKOFA, Due For Release On March 27
![Dom Flemons From Carolina Chocolate Drops Collaborates With John Sebastian And Revisits American Classics On SANKOFA, Due For Release On March 27](https://s3.amazonaws.com/allaboutjazz/photos/profile/musician/90f3921e156d8b7920d79bee441c9.jpg)
Source:
1888 Media
15-Track Album Features Dom Flemons of Carolina Chocolate Drops, Canadian Singers Allison Russell & Ndidi Onukwulu Blues Hall of Fame Inductee Professor Louie And John Sebastian of The Lovin' Spoonful The Uptown Strut Showcases The Original Composition If Wishes Were Gold" And Reinterpretations of Songs by Sly Stone, Ray Charles, Jimmy Cliff, Minnie Wallace, Charlie McCoy, Bessie Smith and Louis Jordan New York, NY: In February 2006, Sankofa Strings, a progressive collective comprised of percussionist Sule Greg Wilson along with ...
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Modern Jug Band SANKOFA To Release The Uptown Strut On March 27th Via Kingswood Records
![Modern Jug Band SANKOFA To Release The Uptown Strut On March 27th Via Kingswood Records](https://s3.amazonaws.com/allaboutjazz/coverart/large/SankofaTheUptownStrut700.jpg)
Source:
1888 Media
Album Features Dom Flemons of Carolina Chocolate Drops, Professor Louie And John Sebastian of The Lovin' Spoonful New York, NY: In February 2006, Sankofa Strings, a progressive collective comprised of percussionist Sule Greg Wilson along with multi-instrumentalist Dom Flemons and singer Rhiannon Giddens, from the Grammy-Award Winning Carolina Chocolate Drops, were taped in concert for inclusion in the award-winning jug band documentary Chasin' Gus' Ghost, a film which chronicles a worldwide quest to assemble a comprehensive lineage to Gus Cannon, ...
read more
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