JUMP N FUNK NYC PRESS RELEASE

JUMP N FUNK + LIBATION = FELABRATION @ S.O.B.'s
(A Fête For the Birthday of Fela Kuti and the New Broadway Musical FELA!)

It is rare that an artist erupts onto the musical landscape, defines a genre, shakes the world its core and departs too soon leaving a legacy that can fill the night sky. Jazz had John Coltrane. Rock had Jimi Hendrix. Afrobeat had Fela Kuti and on THURSDAY, OCTOBER 15th Jump N Funk, Libation, FELA! The Musical, The Museum for African Art & S.O.B.'s pay homage to the life of Nigeria's warrior poet and the Godfather of Global Soul with FELABRATION!

FELABRATION takes its audience through an interactive journey of the life of Africa's most prolific musical pioneer with a documentary, Music is the Weapon, live drummers, special performance by dance virtuosos Afro Mosaic Soul and leading the evening's tribute are DJ Rich Medina, the global ambassador of Jump N Funk and DJ Ian Friday, minister of sound for Libation, ground zero for the Soul Revolution.

Fela Kuti was born October 15, 1938 in Abeokuta, Nigeria, north of Lagos and received his early education in his homeland. In 1958 Fela's parents sent him to London to go to school for medicine, but he opted to register at Trinity College's School of Music where he studied composition and chose the trumpet as his instrument. Fela became influenced by legendary artists such as Miles Davis and Frank Sinatra and formed the Koola Lobitos in 1961. They soon became a fixture in London's club scene. Two years later, he created
"Afrobeat", which was inspired by James Brown, the Yoruba culture, high life and jazz. Fela reformed the Koola Lobitos to Nigeria 70 and returned to Lagos. He founded a commune/recording studio called the Kalakuta Republic, complete with his own private nightclub, The Shrine.

Playing constantly and recording at a ferocious pace, Fela and his band now called Africa 70 became huge stars in West Africa and beyond. His music served as a rallying cry for the disenfranchised, critiquing the military government and made Fela not only a pop star but a political figure as well. People took to the streets singing his songs and the military responded by viciously harassing Fela, jailing him and nearly killing him on several occasions. As with any musical icon, his work crossed over musical genres and influenced a multitude of artists. Fela died on August 3, 1997 of complications from AIDS. One million people attended his funeral in Nigeria. His incredible body of work, almost 70 albums, is now available
through public demand all over the world.

FELA! The Musical brings the colorful life of this icon front and center through a provocative hybrid of concert, dance and musical theatre. FELA! features arrangements by Aaron Johnson and Antibalas with direction and choreography by Tony Award winner Bill T. Jones.

DJ Rich Medina's renowned Afro-dance party, Jump N Funk, is the world's premier celebration of the life, legacy and music of Fela Anikulapo Kuti. Armed with an unparalleled love for Fela and an unrivaled collection of Afrobeat records, Rich Medina re-creates the vibe of a Fela Kuti concert. Jump N Funk has been a staple in venues from New York to Berlin for nearly a decade and has established itself as the only DJ-based party dedicated to Fela Kuti and his message of peace and equality through music.

DJ Ian Friday of Tea Party Music and recording artist Manchildblack are the minister of sound and lyrical minister for the Soul Revolution. Their mission is to bring universal awareness to the Global Soul movement with Libation being its central headquarters. Every second and fourth Thursday of each month resident DJ Ian Friday digs deep in the crates of his eclectic collection to explore the multi-dimensional sounds of this music and invite all to dance, shout, evoke the spirit, pump their fists in air and deliver
hosanna to the glory of Global Soul!

The Museum for African Art is dedicated to increasing public understanding and appreciation of African art and culture. The Museum is recognized worldwide as the pre-eminent organizer of exhibitions and publisher of books devoted exclusively to historical and contemporary African art.

Special guests Afro Mosaic Soul formed in 2005. Creating a dance style known as Mosaic Soul that consists of African dance, Latin dance, tap, modern, popping & locking, break dancing, hip hop, house dance, lofting and capoiera and with movements that carry the fluidity of water, this group has quickly made a name for themselves. They have performed at Melting Pot NYC, S.O.B.s with Haitian artist Errol Josue, House Dance International and with recording artist Fertile Ground. Afro Mosaic Soul also displays their fluid choreography at Libation as the party's hosts.

There might not be a SoHo if there was never an S.O.B.'s. This legendary venue turned a street full of non-descript warehouses into a musical hub hosting the best talent the globe has to offer. For over 20 years, S.O.B.'s has maintained its claim as NYC's musical melting pot fusing all genres into a gumbo that is as tasty as their mojitos. A night as S.O.B.'s is s sure to please every palate.

October 15th only comes once a year. Don't miss the opportunity to celebrate the life and work of an extraordinary man.

$12 in advance/$15 at the door.
To order tickets please visit the S.O.B.'s box office or
http://www.ticketweb.com .
For more information about S.O.B.'s events, log on to http://www.sobs.com.

JUMP N FUNK ATLANTA PRESS RELEASE

FELABRATION - Annual Tribute to FELA KUTI

Presented by Spread Love, Jump N Funk, Hot Ice 
w/ support from Giant Step, Knitting Factory Records & 595 North Event Venue

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2009
595 NORTH EVENT VENUE
595 NORTH AVE, NW ATLANTA 30318
Doors open at 10 pm
Admission: $20 at Door / $15 in Advance at Moods Music in L5P or online at
www.ExperienceSpreadLove.com.

It is rare that an artist erupts onto the musical landscape, defines a genre, shakes the world to its core and departs too soon leaving a legacy that can fill the night sky. Jazz had John Coltrane. Rock had Jimi Hendrix. Afrobeat had Fela Kuti and on SATURDAY, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24th - SPREAD LOVE, JUMP N FUNK, HOT ICE, 595 NORTH EVENT VENUE, GIANT STEP and KNITTING FACTORY RECORDS pay homage to the life of Nigeria's warrior poet and the Godfather of Global Soul with FELABRATION!

FELABRATION takes its audience through an interactive journey of the life of Africa's most prolific musical pioneer: first, with a documentary, "Music is the Weapon," live art, traditional African body/pace painting, highlights of the FELA! Broadway Musical, and a special performance by one of Fela's collaborative partners, ROY AYERS!!

Leading the evening's tribute are DJ KEMIT, minister of sound for SPREAD LOVE, and RICH MEDINA, the global ambassador of Jump N Funk. DJ AUSAR, host of WRFG's Kalakuta Show, will open the night with a musical libation befitting a king. Then MAUSIKI SCALES & COMMON GROUND COLLECTIVE will provide the live musical foundation for ROY AYERS and his magical vibes.

DJ KEMIT and RICH MEDINA will close the night with a record-for-record mash up of Afrobeat, Soul, Funk and House- reminiscent Fela's legendary collaborations with JAMES BROWN, ROY AYERS, and GINGER BAKER, just to name a few.

Guests will receive parting gifts (commemorative FELABRATION posters) courtesy of Giant Step and Knitting Factory Records.

Fela Kuti was born October 15, 1938 in Abeokuta, Nigeria. In 1961 he formed Koola Lobitos in London, two years later, he created "Afrobeat", which was inspired by James Brown, the Yoruba culture, high life and jazz. He founded a commune/recording studio called the Kalakuta Republic, complete with his own private nightclub, The Shrine.

His music served as a rallying cry for the disenfranchised, critiquing the military government and made Fela not only a pop star but a political figure as well. People took to the streets singing his songs and the military responded by viciously harassing Fela, jailing him and nearly killing him on several occasions. One million people attended his funeral in Nigeria.

FELABRATION comes only once a year. Don't miss the opportunity to celebrate the life and work of an extraordinary man.

For vending or sponsorship opportunities, media inquiries, and table
reservations contact:

Aishah Rashied Hyman -
email: arashied@mail.com
tel. 866.286.8405.

For more event details, directions or tickets:
www.ExpereinceSpreadLove.com
tel. 866.286.8405.

OCTOBER EVENT LISTING

Wednesday, October 14th!

Li'l Ricky's Rib Shack at APT
419 West 13th St
11pm to 4am,
10 beans! You already know!

http://www.aptwebsite.com

Thursday, October 15th!
Jump N Funk & Libation & Manchild Black present
Felabration! With DJs Ian Friday & DJ Rich Medina
Presented in conjunction with FELA! On Broadway, Knitting Factory Records
and Giant Step, at SOB's 10 beans entry, 10pm to 4am
www.sobs.com

Friday, October 16th!
Footlong Development & Frolab present
Jump N Funk Los Angeles Volume 1
at Tantra, 3705 W Sunset Blvd, Silverlake Ca 90026
9pm to 2am, Presented in conjunction with FELA! On Broadway, Knitting
Factory Records and Giant Step
10 beans before 11:30, 15 beans after
www.frolab.com

Saturday, October 17th!
330 Ritch & Rich Medina present
Jump N Funk San Francisco Volume 1
Presented in conjunction with FELA! On Broadway, Knitting Factory Records
and Giant Step
330 Ritch St, SF, 94107
Wednesday, October 21st!

Li'l Ricky's Rib Shack at APT
419 West 13th St
11pm to 4am,
10 beans! You already know!

http://www.aptwebsite.com

Friday, October 23rd!
Rich Medina, QTip, and Vashtie are OPEN at Santos
100 Lafayette St (between White & Walker)
11pm to 4am, 10 beans!
www.santospartyhouse.com

Saturday, October 24th!
Spread Love & Jump N Funk present
Felabration! With special guest Roy Ayers!
595 North Event Venue
595 North Avenue, Atlanta, Ga. 30318
Presented in conjunction with FELA! On Broadway, Knitting Factory Records
and Giant Step
www.experiencespreadlove.com

Wednesday, October 28th!

Li'l Ricky's Rib Shack at APT
419 West 13th St
11pm to 4am,
10 beans! You already know!

http://www.aptwebsite.com
Thursday, October 29th!
Rich Medina at The Denver Museum of Art
Details TBA!

Friday, October 30th!
Rich Medina, QTip, and Vashtie are OPEN at Santos
100 Lafayette St (between White & Walker)
11pm to 4am, 10 beans!
www.santospartyhouse.com

Rich Medina
Ricardo Grande Music
The Marksmen
www.richmedina.com
www.myspace.com/richmedina
www.themarksmen.net
ww.myspace.com/jumpnfunk
bookings: tracy@richmedina.com