Zikina: A Free Concert on Historic Northampton's Lawn
Sponsored by Greenfield Savings Bank
Friday, August 20, 2021 at 6:30 pm
(Raindate: Sunday, August 22, 2021 at 12 noon)
Zikini will perform at Historic Northampton on
Friday, August 20th at 6:30 pm.
Composed of musicians from across continents and cultures, Zikina creates new and beautiful music that will get you dancing, clapping and connecting with the people around you.  The group is led by Uganda native Gideon Ampeire, who will draw you in with a variety of traditional East African instruments, including enanga (zither), adungu (harp), and kalimba (thumb piano) - all of which he builds himself.   Joining Ampeire is Northampton's Mike Cardozo on guitar, Roston Kirk on bass and Kade Parkin on drums.  Together, the four weave a sonic landscape that flows seamlessly from intense grooves to joyous dance beats with dreamy textures.  Gideon's vocals cut powerfully through the fabric or float lightly above.  It all adds up to something completely unique, yet immediately accessible.
Gideon Ampeire has been performing internationally for almost 20 years as a bandleader, instrumentalist, singer, dancer, educator, and master instrument maker.  For over a decade, he has been the leader of Echo Uganda, a group that has spread traditional Ugandan folk music throughout the northeast US and beyond, including an appearance at the United Nations.  In 2015, Gideon met up with western MA producer and guitarist Mike Cardozo, who has performed and recorded for nearly a decade in a variety of acts including Gokh-Bi System and Cold Duck Complex.  Gideon and Mike shared the bond of having studied West African drumming at Wesleyan University under legendary professor Abraham Adzenyah.  Berklee School of Music graduate Roston Kirk and western MA drummer Kade Parkin rounded out the group, and what began as a casual set of jam sessions started to progress into something special that stretched musical boundaries in a unique way.  Today, Gideon, Mike, Roston and Kade are always forging ahead, continuing to imaginatively blend Gideon's musical and cultural heritage with the wide palette of sounds and ideas that each member brings to the table.
Sponsored by Greenfield Savings Bank