Willie and the Locos
Wickedly Delicious World Rhythms
from Willie Royal (of Willie and Lobo)
$18 General Admission
$21 General Day of Show
$30 Reserved Seating
GRAMMY winner Willie Royal of the widely-loved “Willie and Lobo” gypsy boogaloo duo brings his latest royal team, Willie and the Locos, to serve up some of the most dynamic, delicious world music you’re likely to taste all summer. Joining Willie are guitarist Bill MacPherson, bassist and vocalist Nee Sackey, keyboardist Kevin Flournoy, drummer/producer Danny Campbell and percussionist Cole Berry (New World Ape), who will play Willie and Lobo songs as well as an eclectic mix of global rhythms bursting with the flavors of funk, jazz, salsa, blues, flamenco, and tasty tunes from around the globe, including Africa, Brazil, Spain and the Middle East.
There are only a handful of true legends in this genre of music and Willie Royal is among the best. Lobo retired from touring last year, but Willie, known for his high-energy, dazzling performances, is back tonight with the signature “Willie fire”. Born in El Paso, Texas, the son of an Air Force lieutenant colonel, he was raised in Turkey, Germany, France and Florida. He began classical violin lessons at the age of eight. Inspired by rock 'n' roll - as well as the violin-fueled fusion of Jean-Luc Ponty, Stephane Grappelli, and the band It's A Beautiful Day - Royal rebelled against his formal training and began playing country-rock fiddle in a popular Florida-based band, while occasionally sitting in with Gregg Allman and Dickey Betts of the legendary Allman Brothers Band.
Willie continued to absorb diverse musical styles, from reggae to jazz and salsa, and soon set out on the road, playing Europe, Canada, Brazil, and New Zealand, before he settled in sunny Mexico in the early '80s. In 1983 Willie met Wolfgang Lobo Fink, and the legendary Willie and Lobo "gypsy boogaloo" music was born.
Guitarist/composer Bill Macpherson was raised in the Congo by his medical missionary parents, gaining a thirst for travel and an appreciation of different cultures and languages. He was continually exposed to traditional African music from an early age, and translated those musical experience into modern jazz and jazz rock. He graduated with honors from The Berklee College of Music and has a Master's in Jazz Performance from San Diego State University. Bill has been playing music for over 30 years, as well as teaching music for over 15 years in a number of universities.
Bassist and vocalist Nee Sackey hails from Ghana, and comes from a musical and diplomatic background. Like Bill, Nee is a top graduate of the Berklee College of Music, and has performed all over the world.
Kevin Flournoy is a much sought-after keyboardist who has performed with a long list of contemporary jazz and R&B artists as well as an extensive history as part of the band Native Vibe, twice included in the Grammy vote, with Bill and Nee.
Danny Campbell, from Southern CA, is a fiery drummer who graduated from the Musician's Institute in L.A. and the Drummer's Collective in NYC. Danny has played with a long list of notable artists: the Billy Thompson Band with Daryl Johnson and Ivan Neville, Leo Nocentelli of “The Meters”, Daniel Lanois, Peter Sprague, and Kevyn Lettau; he is also a member of the Joni Mitchell Tribute Band "Mutts of the Planet" featuring LA Express founder Maxx Bennet on bass and (Lee Ritenour, George Benson) keyboardist Barnaby Finch. Danny has supported and opened for musicians from Lou Rawls and Tony Bennett to Rich Little and Emmylou Harris. Special guest
Cole Berry, percussion, studied percussion with William Winant and jazz drumset with George Marsh. He also honed his Latin percussion talents extensively with Michael Strunk at Cabrillo. He currently serves as the world-fusion/funk band New World Ape’s percussion virtuoso.
Tonight Willie and the Locos conjure up a magical experience for you, as they take their original music to new improvisational heights in live performance. Please join us for this inventive, joyful, endlessly surprising musical banquet. This is an ensemble guaranteed to make your spine tingle.
Willie Royal violin
Bill Macpherson guitars
Nee Sackey bass and vocals
Danny Campbell drums
Kevin Flournoy keyboards
Cole Berry percussion