Ropeadope: LIVE in BK [The Flowdown's "WorldSpeak" Album Release, Tacuma Bradley, Jesse Fischer, DJ Russian Bear]

on TUESDAY, APRIL 26TH, 2016

THE FLOWDOWN: "WorldSpeak" Album Release Show!
TACUMA BRADLEY'S UNITY BAND
JESSE FISCHER
DJ RUSSIAN BEAR

Tickets are $10.00
Peace & Love & Groove

www.ropeadope.com
www.theflowdown.com
www.tacumabradley.com
www.jessefischer.com

THE FLOWDOWN

The Flowdown (Ropeadope Records) is an eclectic jazz-rock-hip-hop-world music group from New York City, USA. And in many ways, the band is a reflection of the urban playground that it calls home. To begin, the members met over a diverse set of scenarios; Adam Ahuja (keys, vocals) and Gavi Grodsky (guitar, vocals) connected online whilst seeking newcomer musicians in the city shortly after moving to the Big Apple; Gavi and Lavondo Thomas (bass, vocals) were musician roommates during a week of cruise-ship entertainment work; Adam and Srikala Kerel Roach (percussion, vocals) befriended another while exploring avenues of spiritual living within New York City. The four all had something in common though: to continually push their musical minds to furthest of reaches.

A band was soon formed, featuring drummer-in-residencies, and "The Flowdown" began performing in New York City in 2009. Major elements of the group's personality began to emerge: celebration of different cultures, creation of spaces for individuals to fully be "themselves" musically, and the cultivation a dynamic, joyful stage experience. Musically, the band drew from an affinity with instrumental jazz harmony and groovy rhythms, featured shared lead and vocal harmonies in their music, and carried a love for spontaneity and improvisation. Regular performances eventually led towards shows at Blue Note Jazz Club NYC as well as club and festival dates outside of the city. Meanwhile, members’ continually added colors and experiences to the stage, learned from touring in other prominent acts (Robert Randolph & the Family Band, Daisy Jopling, Srikalogy)

In 2011, band released its debut record, "Metamorphosis." The album caught the attention of the late Bruce Lundvall, music industry veteran and former Blue Note Records President, who became an invaluable mentor and friend to the band, which inspired the group moving forward. Bruce summed up the band as follows: “The Flowdown is a true fusion of jazz, rock, R&B, hip hop and reggae. The band is very exciting live, the writing is impressive and the musicians are at a very high level.”

As the band entered its next writing phase, a deeper sense of collaboration began to guide the creative process. The group's "Metamorphosis" debut record was mostly formed from pre-composed materials brought in by individual band members, later sprinkled upon or re-shaped by the impacts of the other members. For the new record, band members met weekly at their rehearsal space in Astoria Queens, without any knowledge of what is was they were about to create beforehand. As a result, practically all of the writing and arranging for the next album happened in a fresh, member-collaborative environment, often with all bandmates present simultaneously. "Let's Try It" emerged as a band mantra to inspire open-mindedness, teamwork, patience, and deeper creative inspiration between members while forming the new music.

The Flowdown is energized in 2016 to be teaming up with Ropeadope Records for its sophomore record release and is honored to work within a family of diverse, musically riveting acts. As much effort as the band has put into writing, recording and mixing its own record, the band is equally as excited to continue blasting the stage with high energy, heartfelt performances for eager audiences of all kinds.

TACUMA BRADLEY'S UNITY BAND

The Unity Band actively cultivates sonic experiments that fuse elements of HIp-Hop, Jazz, Funk, and World musics. Envisioned by Brooklyn native, Tacuma Bradley, the band seeks to render out good vibes and positive energy from anyone and anything within earshot. Their sets are filled with improvs and original compositions which have been further imagined over the space-time continuum; as they continue they’re search for a sound rife with elements of J Dilla, St. Germain, and The Headhunters. Using horns, drums, bass, keys, guitar, and the human voice, they blend rhythm and sound to create a space of openness so we (all people) can communicate on another level. A simpler level. Where a hip shake, or head nod, are signs of immersion into that space. Where you can be yourself with no hesitation. Where a smile can gain you access to all you need in this wondrous life.

JESSE FISCHER

For Brooklyn-based pianist/composer/producer Jesse Fischer, the simplest things are best — a catchy melody, a heartfelt lyric, an irrepressible groove. Known for his warm, soulful touch and singable melodies, Jesse crosses boundaries between jazz, soul, and singer-songwriter genres with his latest offering, Day Dreamer (Ropeadope Records, Sept 25, 2015). Featuring guest appearances from vocalist Sarah Elizabeth Charles, trumpeter Takuya Kuroda, violinist Zach Brock, and alto saxophonist Godwin Louis, the album is a modern update on 1970's jazz-funk with influences from Jewish folksong, traditional American music, West African rhythms, gospel, and French impressionist composers.