Biography

AFRO DIZZI ACT

musician

AFRO DIZZI ACT – Biography.

For just over decade, Afro Dizzi Act has been performing in Australia and throughout East Asia, collaborating with musicians of the globe and performing a style of music the industry has described as fusion, or, as preferred by the band, roots infused World Beat. The unification of the bands sound lies in their ability to perform with the depth, feel and telepathy nurtured from 10 years of playing together, their collective compositional skills and the exceptional craftsmanship of the bands vocalist, Senegalese born Jali Buba Kuyateh. Sonic stylist and saxophonist Nick Aggs, guitarist/lyricist Sol Carroll, Bassman OJ Newcomb and drummer Mark Landsbury Henman are not only the backbone of Afro, they stand out individually as being exceptionally gifted musicians with a plethora of recordings and tours under their belts.

Over ten years the sound of Afro Dizzi Act has evolved from its humble beginnings as a five piece party band to an internationally travelled unit with a catalogue of recordings and a solidified and focused sonic direction. As word spread in the late nineties of Afro’s outrageous musicianship and fun filled jams, invitations came thick and fast to play throughout Queensland. A dedication to funk and odd time rhythmic explorations was documented in 1999 with a now collectable limited run of CD’s recorded at the Woodford Folk Festival.

It was the release of their Hip Hop and Drum and Bass tinged debut studio album Audio Cookie through Hydrofunk records in 2002 that catapulted the band onto the Australian festival and touring circuit. Performances as a headliner at the following three Woodford Folk Festivals, the Byron Bay Blues and Roots Festival, The Big Day Out and Livid ensured Afro’s reputation as being a premier festival band.

Whilst they “blew up” in Australia, their dedication to continued learning as musicians through jazz and world sensibilities brought them opportunities to attend the Kathmandu Jazz Festival for two years running and a world music festival in Dubai where they performed alongside Trilok Gurtu. An invitation by the Indian Government to perform at Indian Independence Day was accepted creating an opportunity become the first Western band to tour North East India. These years of honing their live sound through national and international touring were released on ‘Go with the ‘Fro 2000-2003’, and represent the bands sonic palate and global influences.

In 2005, Brisbane’s cult record store Butter Beats approached Afro Dizzi Act to record two instrumental tracks that would be released on a limited edition funk 45. The two tracks recorded for the release received extensive radio play throughout Australia and are available from dealers globally.

Being the first Western band to tour North East India and two tours of Nepal had far reaching effects on the band as a creative unit. The release of their second studio album ‘Walkin’ in 2007 as a sonic documentation of these tours has left a lasting impression on the Australian music Industry. The single track ‘Walkin” as sung by Jali Buba Kuyateh is about the spiritual significance of walking, and OJ Newcomb’s instrumental ‘Drop Off’ has been licensed by Ubiquity Records for the soundtrack Under the Sun.

A distribution deal with Vitamin Records in 2008 of the entire catalogue has given Afro the opportunity to solidify their work until now and concentrate on workshopping new material for their next release. Now with Jali Buba Kuyateh being granted Australian citizenship and the recent input of Tabla sensation Dheeraj Shrestha, Afro Dizzi Act has become a genuine melting pot for musical ideas of a global perspective, a message to the world that cultural differences need not be a source of conflict but a source of peace and unity.

CONCERT HIGHLIGHTS

• Woodford Folk Festival 1999 to 2007
(Big top Stage, The Grande stage Cap. 3000 & Amphitheatre shows)
• Bellingen Global Carnival 2007
• North East India Roots Tour 2003
• Performed at the India Independence Day Festival.
• (Afro were the first Foreign band in History to tour North East India)
• Kathmandu Jazz Festival, Nepal (Jazzmandu) 2002 & 2003
• Dubai Fusion Festival (JazzMajahlis) 2003
(other performers include - Trilok Gurtu)
• Blues & Roots Festival 2003
• Big Day Out 2003 & 2008
• Livid 2002
• Valley Fiesta, 2004 Headlining Rocket 2003 (approx. 2000 people)
• Sold Out The Great Northern Hotel, Byron Bay – November 2003
• Sold Out THE ZOO (Brisbane) on the 14th of June 2003
• Sold Out THE ZOO (Brisbane) in September 2002 for the launching of their
debut album "Audio Cookie" (capacity 530 people)
• VALLY FIESTA 2002 (approx. 1500 people)
• Headlined "Get the Funk" in King George Square for Brisbane City Council
• Performed @ Pinnacles Festival of Improvised music 1998 & 1999
• Supported Australian Jazz Legends such as Bernie McGann & Don Burrows

“ One of the best African/Australian fusion bands I have ever seen come out of Australia.”

Ben Walsh (The Bird, Circle of Rhythm).

Afro Dizzi Act

You can listen & Download Afro Dizzi Act at:
www.soundfoundation.com.au

The Music of AFRO DIZZI ACT

Afro Dizzi Act are set to tour India in January 2009, with Jali Buba Kuyateh and bunch of other funky cats.

Afro Dizzi Act are playing the Mullum Music Festival late November, see below for more details.

Afro Dizzi Act albums available in the shop.

Afro Dizzi Act set to record their 3rd Studio Album late November! With Jali Buba Kuyateh and guests...stay tuned, it will be funky and Worldy and available through Vitamin records.

For more information on Jali Buba Kuyateh visit: jalibubakuyateh.com

Download Afro Dizzi Act's Music:

Afro Dizzi Act Downloads

Buy Afro Cd's at Switch-foot Shop:

Afro Dizzi Act Cd's

Afro Dizzi Act Myspace Link

myspace/afrodizziact



MULLUM FEST. 2008

AFRO DIZZI ACT feat. Jali Buba Kuyateh - Date: Friday November 21
Time: 7 - 10pm
Venue: Bowlo

- Afro Dizzi Act will be playing a KILLER show with Jali Buba Kuyateh and Dj Del Larkin from 7pm till 10pm Friday November 21 at the Mullumbimby music Festival Bowling club venue.

LIFE LIKE LIQUID -
Date: Saturday November 22nd
Time: 2-5pm
Venue: Mullum Civic Hall

- Low Pressure Productions & Vitamin Records Presents LOW PRESSURE SOUND SYSTEM at the Mullum Music Festival. SATURDAY 22ND NOVEMBER 2pm till 5pm
Feat. members of
BAND OF FREQUENCIES
w/ guest Tony Hughes (King Tide)
& OKA & Afro Dizzi Act

AFRO DIZZI ACT feat. Jali Buba Kuyateh Date: Friday November 23rd
Time: 7 - 10pm
Venue: Bowlo

mullum music festival

Afro Dizzi Act
feat. Jali Buba Kuyateh (Senegal)
w/ Funkenstein (Israel)

The Zoo The Zoo
Wednesday 3rd December 2008

Tickets @ thezoo.com.au




AFRO DIZZI ACT Music Releases: vitamin.net.au/

WALKIN’ (2007)



Afro Dizzi Act have just completed their 2nd Studio Album ‘Walkin’, creating a sonic journey that captures adventures they shared with musicians in locations of India, Nepal, Dubai, West Africa & Australia.

The first single (track 3, Walkin’), featuring West African master Kora & vocalist/story teller Jali Buba Kuyateh, is a multi-lingual global feast that cooks along with rich flow of African roots & melodies blended with the signature deep grooves of Afro Dizzi Act

This track written by Nick Aggs (Ziggzaggs) & Afro Dizzi Act with Lyrics by Jali Buba Kuyateh is about the importance of discovering & exploring different global lifestyles (with great respect), understanding other cultures as well as comprehending the art of walking itself.

In many indigenous cultures, throughout the world, walking is an activity that represents the strong connection we have as humans to the spirit world as well as the earth we live off and live on.

Walkin' Review:

by Aidan Roberts (Time Off Magazine)

What starts as a subdued and quietly psychedelic jam, Fender Rhodes and dubby bass-lines gradually bubbling away, soon develops into a sturdy world-beat dance-off, and Afro Dizzi Act have taken the stage. So goes the first 10 minutes of Walkin', the first full-length record from this Australian trans-continental instrumental outfit. Their funky jams bare more than a passing resemblance to Waiting-era Santana, and Latin and African rhythms and textures clearly mark these guys as a sure-fire hit at the hippie festivals and summer parties. Sunrise over Meherabad is a real sonic globetrotter, and title track Walkin' is affecting in its 'groove' (for want of a less hackneyed phrase), and well shows off the band's penchant for dizzy instrumentation coupled with the understated fun of guest vocalist Jali Buba Kalayeh's Afrikaan scats. It's pretty sexy stuff, if slightly repetitive for the headphone listener. But for a reviewer who is fairly quickly scared away from extended funk jams, this is a quality record which spreads its own kind of love to one and all.

WELCOME SPEECH EP & 7” (2005)



Afro Dizzi Act is pleased to announce the release of their new EP 'Welcome Speech'. It was written as a reflection of our times whilst the band was touring throughout North East India. 'Welcome Speech' features pure world funk flavours. On the EP it is accompanied by dance floor starter 'Let Yourself Go' as remixed by Dave Dog (Resin Dogs) and a 9 minute psychedelic jam titled 'Rainbows'. Both 'Welcome Speech' and 'Let Yourself Go' are also released on an American pressed, limited edition vinyl 7" single, available exclusively through Butter Beats.
(www.dustygroove.com or www.butterbeatsrecordstore.com)

GO WITH THE FRO 2002-2003 (2003)



This is the album many people have been waiting for, recorded live at woodford folk festival over three years this album is one album guranteed to please your ear drums, and if you were there we are sure that it will bring back some great memories.

AUDIO COOKIE (2002)



Afro Dizzi Act’s debut release ‘Audio Cookie’ was issued in 2003 to glowing reviews. It can be difficult for groups with such a strong live reputation to achieve an equally energetic studio sound, but Afro Dizzi Act’s intensity carried over with little resistance due in part to the assistance from engineer Jeff Lovejoy, who was able to create a fertile studio setting for the band to work in. Released through Hydrofunk Records, the debut has since attracted significant support from a variety of street papers, magazines and radio stations both in Australia and abroad.

Contact:
Nick Aggs
0422 741 764
afrodizziact@hotmail.com
Oj Newcomb
0408 433 926
oj@switch-foot.com

News:
Sol & Oj recently toured Japan promoting the Life Like Liquid Movie & Soundtrack which is being released in Japan through the label Surf Rock International/Pony Canyon.

Quotes:

“Having travelled to several international jazz festivals in Dubai and Kathmandu,
the group are currently preparing for their next jaunt overseas to India. It's no
wonder Afro Dizzi Act have been successful in the exportation of their
sophisticated jazz grooves - they're easily the most skilled and versatile of their
local contemporaries and rarely fall short of expectations.”

(Lawrence English, Timeoff Magazine 2003)


"The extraordinary fusion of jazz, funk, rock, hip hop and electronic sounds of
Brisbane's super group Afro Dizzi Act had the whole crowd up on their feet and
swarming to the stage area. Hundreds started swaying and jumping to their
funky grooves and catchy lyrics."

(Nepali Times 2003)


Afro's rhythmic jams have become the stuff of inner city legend. They manage
to combine a natural approach to their music with a deadly precision when it
comes to both arrangement and instrumentation."

Gavin Sawford (Editor. Rave & Street Press)


"Afro dizzi Act have a lot to answer for. They're partly responsible for giving
Brisvegas its reputation a city that knows how to fuse its funk, jazz, rock & hip
hop."

Joel Dullroy (Courier Mail)

Selected Audio

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