Afrobeat Awareness w/ This Way Orkestra

Join an evening of afrobeat, jazz and reggae as local band This Way Orkestra wows audiences with Afrobeat Awareness!

The “Afrobeat” musical genre was created in Nigeria in the late 1960’s and blends traditional African rhythms with funk and jazz. A night of “afrobeat awareness” exploring this music and the legacy of Nigerian artist and political activist Fela Kuti – afrobeat’s originator and chief proponent.

This Way Orkestra are Canberra’s very own enclave of Afrobeat + Ska + Reggae sounds. This 10-piece orchestra combines the mighty Afro-Funk of Nigeria’s Fela Kuti with a tight brass section and jazz + ska grooves – heavy dancefloor energy at all times! From West Belconnen to West Africa and beyond, this musical collective will keep your nyash shaking!

Originally formed in 2012 by Nicholas Combe and Simon Milman – two stalwarts of the local jazz and reggae scene in Canberra – the band recorded their debut EP as “NYASH” the same year and played around the ACT. Seven years later the band has reformed with original members and some great new additions, including a frontman Jim Sharock on vocals and percussion – flexing new musical influences beyond ska and Afrobeat to include reggae, ethio-jazz, and dub.