The Asante Groove is a collective whose mission is to usher in a new musical expression centered on Reggae and Afrobeat infused with a mega-dose of American Soul. The groups members have played a variety of musical styles in the past, but reggae is the common thread. World Reggae? Ameri-Afrobeat? Call it what you will. When all is said and done, Asante Groove sounds like nothing youve experienced before- a perfect amalgamation of African, Caribbean and American influences. The group plays an even mix of trend-setting originals and choice cover tunes. Exceptionally versatile, Asante Groove will certainly entertain a wide variety of people. The members understand that truly great music transcends age, race and ethnicity, and they are deeply committed to uplifting and enlightening through their music.
Members:
Charleston Okafor (Lead Vocals & Acoustic Guitar), a native of Nigeria, has spent most of his adult life in the USA. His raspy tenor oozes soul in a manner reminiscent of not only great Jamaican singers like Marley and Burning Spear, but also great American soul singers such as Ray Charles and Sam Cook. He sang with Yankee Dreads in the 90s and fronted Clevelands Riddim Fish in the late 80s that included longtime friend and percussionist Tommy Fox. His earnest demeanor and charismatic stage presence consistently win over the hearts of all those possessing a pulse.
Baba Adetobi (Hand Drums & Vocals) is a Yoruba spiritualist who has performed with the late great Nigerian percussionist Olatunji. His tremendous grasp of rhythm far surpasses that which weve come to expect in the West; other hand drummers inevitably watch Adetobi in amazement. Multi-talented, he is an accomplished stage and screen actor and sings as well. Born in Cleveland, Adetobi has spent most of his life in New York City where he finds consistent musical work.
Bill Nalls (Bass) is a Cleveland born multi-instrumentalist who, while still in his teens, started working professionally with artists such as the OJays and Dennis Edwards of the Temptations. Also known as The Cat with the Hat, Nalls is legendary on Clevelands reggae circuit, having played since the late 70s with acts such as Satta, ITAL USA, Harambe, and Nuhu to name just a few. He has backed internationally known reggae artists and founded the Asante Men, a group that in 1989 accompanied reggae legend Jimmy Cliff on a two-month West African tour.
Brian Marsh (Guitar) is from Traverse City, Michigan. His understated guitar licks can simultaneously draw smiles and tears. Hes a self-taught musician who also handles guitar duty for Clevelands legendary Jamaican expat Hugo Blackwood, as Istan Black and the Sweets, and for Cleveland rockers Broke By Monday. Once Marsh slips into his mojo, elephants and lions mate. Yeah, he is that good.
Marlon Rasta Foot Hatcher (Drums) is one of Clevelands premier reggae drummers whose style possesses dynamics, intensity, and fire. Rasta Foot played reggae around Ohio with the UAG Reggae Band and the Afi Nur Project before joining forces with Clevelands Ras T. Dubflex with whom the versatile Rasta Foot can regularly be seen playing either trap drums or percussion.
Terence Ras T. Dubflex Reynolds (Keyboards and Vocals) is a true musician who was born in Philadelphia but raised in Cleveland by parents of African American and Caribbean lineage. Best known for fronting his own group Dubflex, a regional favorite, Ras T. is also the head engineer at TD Audio and Recording. He has released a number of critically acclaimed CDs exploring the boundaries not only of reggae but jazz as well.
Tommy Fox (Percussion) is a reggae scholar who has been involved with Clevelands music scene for over twenty years. As drummer for the Mice, Fox released a handful of records prior to graduating high school. In 1988 he assembled the Riddim Fish, which featured singer Charleston Okafor. The entire next decade found Fox touring and releasing records with Cleveland rockers the Revelers. Currently, Fox can be seen playing trap drums or percussion with Istan Black and the Sweets, and heard hosting Rudies Hi-Fi, one of Clevelands most respected reggae shows on WCSB 89.3fm.
(Copyright 2006, T.Fox and C.Okafor).
Fore more info go to www.cdbaby.com/cd/okafor
For bookings, call 216.548.6412 or charleston_okafor@hotmail.com
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