The Next Stage Bandwagon Summer Series presents an evening of pan-African roots music with Ugandan musician, educator, and creative arts producer Chinobay.

“The music of Uganda is robust and unique, and Chinobay serves as the region’s finest example of educator and musician,” says Keith Marks, Executive Director of Next Stage Arts. “We look for artists from around the world to be a part of the Bandwagon series, and we jumped at the opportunity to work with this rising star from Africa. I know the community will feel the power and energy from his ensemble.”

Chinobay

Chinobay’s work has been described as “some of the most exquisite music coming out of Africa today”. Since his youth, he has captivated audiences with world-roots rhythms and melodies that emanate from the diversity of the many traditional instruments he customized to develop his unique sound. The diverse textures of Chinobay’s music make it soothing, pulsing, meditative, refreshing, and intimate —much of it a mix of original and traditional with global influences—but the sounds are uniquely his.

Chinobay’s pan-African quartet brings together Cameronian producer and bassist Jonas Yologaza, Nigerian drummer Olaolu Ajibade, and duo national keyboardist William Pefok from Cameroon and Nigeria. Led by Chinobay’s voice African traditional instruments i.e. Kora, Kalimba, Endongo, and Tama, this band has created a unique sound of their own tapping into various global influences with a strong foundation in African roots.

Chinobay’s education and outreach programs provide global audiences with a knowledge gateway into Africa through cross-cultural experiences and learning journeys that introduce Africa’s cultural arts, social studies, and stories rarely covered by mainstream media, to lead a unique understanding of how we connect as humans across cultural and national lines.

Chinobay uses his music and voice to empower children and youth living in underserved communities to find purpose, restore dignity, develop talent, and build transformation. He founded Dance of Hope, an initiative that uses the transforming power of music, dance, and storytelling to educate and empower young people to become independent global citizens.

Bandwagon Summer Series

The Bandwagon Summer Series is a family-friendly outdoor cultural performance series from early May through mid-October. More than 20 performances from a diverse group of musical styles, circus arts, dance, and theater will take place at ballfields, farms, and parks throughout Windham County. Kids under 12 always get in for free, and a dedicated play area will be available at all shows. Refreshments are sold onsite, including the return of last summer’s hugely popular Barr Hill cocktails, and the new addition of some selections from Mad River Distillers. Bring a picnic and a blanket or fold-up chair to enjoy our concerts.

Support for the Bandwagon Summer Series is provided by VTDigger, Brattleboro Reformer, Oak Meadow, Whetstone Beer Co., Landmark College, Barr Hill, Mad River Distillers, The Porch Café and Catering, and People’s United, a Division of M&T Bank.

Next Stage

Next Stage serves southeastern Vermont as a regional cultural hub, arts producer, and instigator of meaningful cultural experiences. Founded in 2010 as a nonprofit organization, Next Stage Arts is a transformative, community-centered project dedicated to revitalizing Putney’s cultural and economic village center through excellence in arts programming valuing diversity as a springboard for nurturing community.