Expect to have a funky good time as locally-based musician Oscar Robles Diaz makes his monthly appearance at the Zocalo Café. A skilled multi-instrumentalist, Oscar will perform on drum-kit and some vocals. With the help of special guests, he presents a special evening dedicated to funk, its evolution, and some of its more and lesser known legends.
Anela Kahiamoe, on electric guitar and vocals, Tony Morrison on saxophones and flute and Britt Bowman on bass will join Diaz on stage.
“We’ll be playing some original songs composed by Britt and myself and enhanced by the superb musicianship Anela and Tony bring” says Oscar. “Of course, we can’t get away without doing some James Brown tunes. Amongst other artists, we’ve picked some of the funkiest songs by Nigeria’s Afro-beat king, Fela Kuti and his band – the Africa 70.”
In 1970, The James Brown Band toured Nigeria and visited Fela’s club in Lagos. According to James Brown’s bassist, Bootsy Collins, they were blown away and told Fela and his band they were “the funkiest cats” they had ever heard. The admiration was mutual and their influence on each other’s music, undeniable.
Admission to the venue on the corner of Fifth St. and Cliffe Ave. is by donation.
Visit zocalocafe.ca for more information or call 250-331-0933.