Antibalas and Cleaveland Jones at the Heineken TransAtlantic Festival 2011

Afrobeat big band Antibalas.

​Think you're down with Afrobeat? Well, if you're not familiar with Antibalas, then you haven't sampled the real deal. But the Heineken TransAtlantic Festival is going to change all that next weekend.

Based out of Brooklyn, the Antibalas Afrobeat Orchestra has straight-up hijacked the boogie from the Bronx. And while this 14-strong orchestra rolls in the tradition of Fela Kuti, its one-of-a-kind, hip-breaking descargas are also informed by Latin jazz, funk, classical music, soul, and an undeniably Afro-Cuban approach to horns.

It's a musical mezcla that fuels the fire of the big band's sound, and incites all-out frenzies on the dance floor whenever this troop takes the stage for one of its now-legendary live sets.



Also playing next Saturday night's installment of the Heineken TransAtlantic Festival at the Bandshell is none other than Miami's very own Cleaveland Jones, whose samba- and tropicalia-inspired tuneage seems like the perfect balance for the fury of Antibalas.



Cool as a Caribbean breeze, the local singer-songwriter has a fresh collection of songs from his recently released second album Tao Jones, a deeply personal nod to his travels, his beliefs, and the experiences that have impacted him along the way.

Antibalas with Cleaveland Jones. Saturday, April 30. North Beach Bandshell, 7275 Collins Ave., Miami Beach. Tickets cost $20 in advance via fla.vor.us or $25 at the door. Call 305-672-5202 or visit transatlanticfestival.com.

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