Rocky Dawuni This weekly AfroFunke Thursday at Zanzibar, in California, founded by African Afro-Roots reggae star, Rocky Dawuni and talent booker/photographer Cary Sullivan on November 11 turned out to be a milestone event, and quite a surprise for most in attendance.
For some Santa Monica locals, it was just another night out of a couple of drinks in the plush Moroccan-styled Zanzibar. For others trying to grab a rare show of hour or so from Rocky Dawuni and The Revelation Project live, they were anticipating his fusion of reggae, African rhythms and soulful, funkfilled grooves.
With DJ Jeremy Sole spinning his unique mixture consisting of mostly Afro-beat and World Beat vinyl pieces, the colorful and danceable-ready young adults made the atmosphere resonates with energy, love and such respectful sexiness, everyone seemed liked family.
Without paying much attention to the few video cameras set up in the back of the club, not to mention a handful of scattered photographers, my casual thought was that Rocky's performance was getting some extra attention tonight. No one really paid it any mind, but little did we know?
Just before midnight struck after Rocky Dawuni completed a few songs from his forthcoming album tilted 'Book of Changes', he stood purposely to the side of the stage and made an announcement that confused the audience. ""Tonight, we have a very, very, very special guest with us. Everyone, I want us to give a very warm welcome to royalty. We have Stevie Wonder in the house joining us on stage!"
Some cheered, but to be honest, most of us before we could actually see Stevie Wonder being guided through the middle of the dance floor, parting us like Moses did the Red Sea, our months fell agape. Indeed, it was the man in flesh, Stevie sporting his purple Sean John velour suit, making his way to the stage, of course with the support of two of his people.
With harmonica in hand, he joined Rocky Dawuni & The revelation project and they jammed amidst the now noisy cheers that at first drowned-out the music for minutes. Even the bartenders stopped pouring drinks for a while, and this would have been great time if you were outside, to enter free - since the bouncers seemed to distract inside as well. The atmosphere was electric!
As another guest, Rolling Stones' renowned percussionist Remi Kabaka came on stage as well, the crowd erupted after every note Stevie sang or played on his harmonica. And the class act that he is, he respectfully performed alongside the Afro beat vibe, not at all trying to take over the spotlight with his soul classics.
It was after all. Rocky's night, so Stevie respectfully accompanied Rocky's lead. At times Stevie did a call-and-response type of playful games with the crowd, hitting impossible notes with his golden voice, making it enjoyable Ricky for us to follow, but it was Africa we (including Stevie) saw in the distance. It was night "Hotter than July".
Rocky Dawuni This weekly AfroFunke Thursday at Zanzibar, in California, founded by African Afro-Roots reggae star, Rocky Dawuni and talent booker/photographer Cary Sullivan on November 11 turned out to be a milestone event, and quite a surprise for most in attendance.
For some Santa Monica locals, it was just another night out of a couple of drinks in the plush Moroccan-styled Zanzibar. For others trying to grab a rare show of hour or so from Rocky Dawuni and The Revelation Project live, they were anticipating his fusion of reggae, African rhythms and soulful, funkfilled grooves.
With DJ Jeremy Sole spinning his unique mixture consisting of mostly Afro-beat and World Beat vinyl pieces, the colorful and danceable-ready young adults made the atmosphere resonates with energy, love and such respectful sexiness, everyone seemed liked family.
Without paying much attention to the few video cameras set up in the back of the club, not to mention a handful of scattered photographers, my casual thought was that Rocky's performance was getting some extra attention tonight. No one really paid it any mind, but little did we know?
Just before midnight struck after Rocky Dawuni completed a few songs from his forthcoming album tilted 'Book of Changes', he stood purposely to the side of the stage and made an announcement that confused the audience. ""Tonight, we have a very, very, very special guest with us. Everyone, I want us to give a very warm welcome to royalty. We have Stevie Wonder in the house joining us on stage!"
Some cheered, but to be honest, most of us before we could actually see Stevie Wonder being guided through the middle of the dance floor, parting us like Moses did the Red Sea, our months fell agape. Indeed, it was the man in flesh, Stevie sporting his purple Sean John velour suit, making his way to the stage, of course with the support of two of his people.
With harmonica in hand, he joined Rocky Dawuni & The revelation project and they jammed amidst the now noisy cheers that at first drowned-out the music for minutes. Even the bartenders stopped pouring drinks for a while, and this would have been great time if you were outside, to enter free - since the bouncers seemed to distract inside as well. The atmosphere was electric!
As another guest, Rolling Stones' renowned percussionist Remi Kabaka came on stage as well, the crowd erupted after every note Stevie sang or played on his harmonica. And the class act that he is, he respectfully performed alongside the Afro beat vibe, not at all trying to take over the spotlight with his soul classics.
It was after all. Rocky's night, so Stevie respectfully accompanied Rocky's lead. At times Stevie did a call-and-response type of playful games with the crowd, hitting impossible notes with his golden voice, making it enjoyable Ricky for us to follow, but it was Africa we (including Stevie) saw in the distance. It was night "Hotter than July".
