Ozomatli
Wednesday, June 22, 2011 at 7:00 PM
Red Hook Park
Ozomatli celebrates the multitude of cultures in Los Angeles with their music – a notorious urban-Latino-and-beyond collision of hip-hop and salsa, dancehall and cumbia, samba and funk, merengue and comparsa, East LA R&B, Jamaican ragga and Indian raga.
For 15 years, they have entertained audiences around the world with their unique sound of horns, percussions, strings and vocals while promoting a positive message of peace. They served as official U.S. State Department Cultural Ambassadors and exemplified how diversity promotes change. According to the LA Times, “Ozomatli’s deep community connections and polyglot mix give the band a musical and cultural cachet.” The seven multi-racial members of Ozomatli are committed to addressing social issues of local, national, and international importance through fun, yet inspirational entertainment.
Reggie Watts with special guest Natasha Leggero
Wednesday, June 22, 2011 at 7:30PM
Central Park/Mainstage
Hilarious, brilliant, unpredictable comedian/musician Reggie Watts is a staple of the international performance scene.
Reggie’s improvised musical sets are created on-the-spot using only his voice and a looping machine. No two songs are ever the same. An avowed “disinformationist,” Reggie loves to disorientate his audiences in the most entertaining way. You may not know what Reggie is going to do, but that’s okay – he doesn’t either. By blending the genres of music and comedy, Reggie has appeared on every form of media imaginable, from touring and appearing on TV with late night host, Conan O’Brien to releasing his highly acclaimed debut comedy cd/dvd, “Why $#!+ So Crazy?” in May 2010. Join him as he rocks SummerStage with his impromptu lyrical style and see why The LA Times has called him “deliciously strange.”
Natasha Leggero is an actress and comedian who can be seen regularly on E!’s, “Chelsea Lately” and is famed for her witty humor and appearances in movies and shows as diverse as “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” to stand-up on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.” As a star in Comedy Central’s new hit animated series, “Ugly Americans,” she has been gaining notoriety for both her acting as well as her stand-up, touring the country headlining packed comedy clubs.
Reggie Watts / DJ Stormin’ Norman
Friday, June 24, 2011 at 7:00PM
Red Hook Park
Reggie’s improvised musical sets are created on-the-spot using only his voice and a looping machine. No two songs are ever the same. An avowed “disinformationist,” Reggie loves to disorientate his audiences in the most entertaining way. You may not know what Reggie is going to do, but that’s okay – he doesn’t either. By blending the genres of music and comedy, Reggie has appeared on every form of media imaginable, from touring and appearing on TV with late night host, Conan O’Brien to releasing his highly acclaimed debut comedy cd/dvd, “Why $#!+ So Crazy?” Join him as he rocks SummerStage with his impromptu lyrical style and see why The LA Times has called him “deliciously strange.”
DJ Stormin’ Norman, founder of the incredible feel-good event series, Sundae Sermon, plays soulful house, disco, classics, afro beats, Latin and other genres with a following that tears it up on the dance floor. Gaining fame as part of a groundbreaking DJ collective who brought the Thunderstorm Mix on NYC’s WBLS 107.5, he introduced live mixing to daytime radio. For over twenty years, he has played major clubs and elite private events around the world.
Lee Fields & The Expressions / Fitz & The Tantrums / KING / Rich Medina
Saturday, June 25, 2011 at 4:00PM
Central Park/Mainstage
Presented in association with Giantstep.
Lee Fields is a bona-fide, unadulterated soul singer. While the funk and soul community bestowed “legendary” status upon him due to his series of rare 7″ singles and one LP released on his own labels in the 70’s, he’s never been one to sit in a dusty corner. After linking up with Truth & Soul’s house band The Expressions, he has successfully created a sound that can hold court with the sweet soul bands that came before them.
Six musicians, five dapper suits and irresistible songs are the backbone of Fitz & The Tantrums. With the release of their five-song EP, Songs for a Breakup, Vol. 1 and their newest release, Pickin’ UpThe Pieces, the band has begun its quick ascent towards fame. Having performed with bands like Sharon Jones and The Dap Kings and Maroon 5, it’s obvious that their brand of soul-clapping, get-down-on-the-floor music is here to stay.
KING was born out of twins Paris and Amber Strother’s chance meeting with Anita Bias, a young woman with a golden voice and creative styling. The trio’s unique blend of voices, engaging harmony, and detailed songwriting gave birth to THE STORY EP, the group’s debut project. Praised by artists such as ?uestlove from The Roots and Erykah Badu, KING’s SummerStage appearance marks the group’s premiere in NYC.
Rich Medina has taken crowds on a journey through hip-hop, house, funk and soul, for twenty years. From NYC to Tokyo, music lovers know not to miss a night when Medina is manning the decks as DJ.
Hugh Masekela / Freshlyground / Somi
Sunday, June 26, 2011 at 3:00PM
Central Park/Mainstage
Legendary South African trumpeter Hugh Masekela is an innovator in the world music and jazz scene and is active as a performer, composer, producer and activist.
Renowned for his talent and ability to bring to life the energy of South African music, he has collaborated with numerous artists internationally and also co-created the Broadway smash musical, Sarafina. Masekela’s Grammy winning single, “Grazing in the Grass,” sold over 4 million copies and propelled him to international stardom.
Freshlyground is the musical voice of a nation’s adolescent democracy. The diverse backgrounds of seven members from the different ethnicities of South Africa, Mozambique and Zimbabwe means they weave musical magic that is highly infectious and undeniably groovy. With four celebrated albums, an MTV Award and a collaboration with Shakira in the 2010 World Cup song, “Waka Waka- This Time For Africa,” Freshlyground has established their place on the international music map.
Often compared to famed chanteuses Sarah Vaughan and Miriam Makeba, Ugandan vocalist Somi blends African & jazz inspired rhythms into a unique global sound. A rising star in the jazz world, The Boston Globe has exclaimed of her latest album, If The Rains Come First, “[it] glistens with the sheen of an almost impossibly perfect cosmopolitanism.” Singing in English and three east African languages, Somi’s vocal delivery is subtle, yet the power she exerts is enormous