Kuumbwa Jazz & Indexical Present: dragonchild x Sunken Cages

Conceived by Ethiopian-American saxophonist D.A. Mekonnen–– co-founder/leader of the widely celebrated Debo Band– the solo project dragonchild is a culmination of decades of musical experimentation, embodied spiritual practice, and critical thinking. Danny Mekonnen is a Boston-based musician and the founder of the widely celebrated Debo Band, whose self-titled debut was included on NPR’s ‘50 Favorite Albums of 2012.’ Growing up in Texas as a first generation Ethiopian-American, Mekonnen often heard traditional Ethiopian instruments and vocals, later seeking out master Ethiopian musicians to learn to play the traditional instruments of his heritage. The groundbreaking Debo Band combines those influences with American jazz, soul and funk and the instrumentation of Eastern European brass bands.

Sunken Cages is the moniker of Indian-born drummer/electronic music producer Ravish Momin, originally an acoustic drummer/percussionist, who has worked with a wide array of musicians, from pop-star Shakira to legendary jazz musician Kalaparusha Maurice McIntyre (of the AACM) in addition to leading his own innovative global groups Tarana and Turning Jewels Into Water (with Haitian electronic music pioneer Val Jeanty) on international stages for the past 15 years.

Together, they create an exciting new global music that draws from their respective cultural backgrounds as well as contemporary electronic dance music. Sunken Cages plays electronic and acoustic drums, triggers melodies/textures and generates loops in real-time, while dragonchild shifts between saxophones and cymbals/gongs.

(Ticket Includes 5% City of Santa Cruz Admission Tax)
Photo by Rich Wexler