Out of Benin, one of the ancient cultural centers in Africa, comes the colorful Gangbé Brass Band. Their music takes from the many traditions of their homeland as well as from the African diaspora in America and it moves from traditional voodoo rhythms to jazz without missing a beat. There is a tight unity in the dense brass section as they shift with the melodious call and response vocals backed up by intricate percussion. It is happy, high-energy music and they had the house rocking last night in our local Kuumbwa Jazz Center.
Here is the translation of their song Awhan-Ho, the War:
Men who had the same origins at the beginning are divided by all kinds of wars.
A whole nation is punished by the mistakes of a single head of state.
Man’s abuse of power and greed increase the sorrow of orphans.
Forget about war! Let’s make peace.
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