On March 11th, progressive reggae band John Brown’s Body and West African-influenced quintet Toubab Krewe kick off a 13-city co-headlining U.S. tour. The tour begins in Brooklyn, NY, and ends in Solana Beach, CA.
Each group has achieved mainstream success by performing their own forward-thinking approach to traditional roots styles, John Brown’s Body with reggae and Toubab Krewe with West African music.
In recent years both groups’ music has spread like a grassroots wildfire to the farthest corners of the world. While Toubab Krewe performed in Mali and Portugal, John Brown’s Body completed first-ever tours of New Zealand and the UK in late 2009.
This month, the musicians were re-introduced aboard Jam Cruise — the celebrated, floating music festival in the Caribbean. Returning from stops in Jamaica and Grand Cayman Island, the bands met up during an all-artist basketball tournament (neither advanced past the first round). Despite a disappointing showing on the court, they spent the night catching up and watching each other perform as the ship sailed out to sea.
The upcoming tour will build on the friendly vibe forged in far away places, where the bands found common ground.
John Brown’s Body & Toubab Krewe Co-Headlining U.S. Tour Dates
March 11 – Brooklyn, NY – Music Hall of Williamsburg
March 12 – Ithaca, NY – Castaways
April 03 – Chicago, IL – Double Door
April 04 – Madison, WI – Majestic Theatre
April 05 – Minneapolis, MN – Cedar Cultural Center
April 08 – Boulder, CO – Fox Theatre
April 09 – Englewood, CO – Gothic Theatre
April 12 – Salt Lake City, UT – The Depot
April 16 – Seattle, WA – Tractor Tavern
April 17 – Portland, OR – Doug Fir Lounge
April 19 – San Francisco, CA – Independent
April 20 – Los Angeles, CA – Roxy Theatre
April 21 – Solana Beach, CA – Belly Up Tavern
