SILA! Funk on the Bottom ... World Groove at the Top! April 28, 2012

In association with Urban Music Presents, George's presents SILA! Funk on the Bottom ... World Groove at the Top!

Winner, "Best Funk Band" Los Angeles Music Awards

In January 2010, Sila announced the next step in his musical journey: a solo album which explores even more of his diverse musical tastes, from Ethiopiques-esque jazz-funk to Afro-rock, Afro-reggae and Afro-Brazilian rhythms.

Working the new songs into shape during an open rehearsal residency at SF club Coda, he also found time to headline the “SF Hearts Haiti” benefit at the Independent, which raised over $10,000 for earthquake relief.

The as-yet-untitled album is scheduled for summer 2010 release.

SILA won "Outstanding World Music Album" at the 2010 NAACP image Awards, 2009 San Francisco Weekly Music Awards for "Best International act" and has played such prestigious events as the inaugural Outside Lands Music Festival, Stern Grove Festival, Fillmore Jazz Festival (headliners for five years in a row including at the 25th Annual festival occurring on July 4 & 5, 2009), and Berkeley Jazz Music Festival.

The band's current lineup consists of:
Roger Cox: Tenor saxophonist
Mike Shiono: Bass
Khalil Doak-Anthony: Guitar
Bennie Murray: Drumm ,
Andre Webb: Trombone,
Karamba Kouyate: Master African percussionists(from Guinea)
Samba Guisse: From Senegal

In keeping with his mission to combine music with humanitarian efforts, SILA has for the past five years co-produced the Afrofunk Festival, raising musical consciousness among audiences from Seattle to San Diego to raise much-needed funds for education, medical, and health services for East African children orphaned by the AIDS epidemic. Playing benefit shows, Sila explains, is his way‚ to stay connected to other people, to remember that it's not only about us but community."

"The best of all possible worlds in World Music terms: uptempo, polyrhythmic, socially conscious (but not pedantic), strikingly melodic, and eminently danceable." - San Francisco Bay Guardian

"Mixing the legendary sounds of Fela Kuti with some tricks gleaned from James Brown and P-Funk,Sila and company create a dancefloor-ready throb guaranteed to move you." -San Francisco Weekly

"James Brown's dance floor boogie strut infused with the manic drumming and serpentine guitar jams of Sila's native Kenya." -San Francisco Magazine

"Guaranteed to keep you glued to the dance floor." -San Francisco Bay Guardian

Official Website: http://www.georgesnightclub.com/?option=com_eventlist&view=details&id=300&Itemid=3