Afromotive - It's About the Beat

Afromotive founder, Ryan Reardon, who describes his music as "Afrobeat - uptempo funk with African rhythms," brings his unique sound to Odin's Den in Winter Park on April 10.

"Afromotive stays true to the elements that started afrobeat music," Reardon said. "West African rhythms, song forms and instrumentation - while bringing the music to the 21st Century through strong song-writing, improvisation and heavy beats."

The seven member ensemble includes:

Adama Dembele: djembe, congas, timbales, vocals
Tyler Cates: guitar
Brian Jones: drums
Ryan Knowles: alto saxophone, vocals
Ryan Reardon: bass, vocals
Sean Smith: trumpet
Jesse Howerton: keyboards

Reardon holds a master's degree in jazz and classical music. "Other instrumentalists have been trained in funk, jazz and classical music as well as extensively studying the rhythms of West Africa," Reardon explained. "Collectively, they have created a sound that crosses musical and ethnic boundaries."

One of the core members of the band, Dembele is a thirty-third generation djembe drum player from Cote d'Ivoire, Africa. This instrument, familiar to many as the magical drum, is carved from hardwood trees and is said to contain three spirits: the spirit of the tree, the spirit of the animal of which the drum head is made, and the spirit of the instrument maker player.

While Afromotive is based in Asheville, North Carolina, Reardon shared some advice for the Orlando music scene. "There needs to be some talent, of course, but those talented people need to have a way to communicate, whether through a collective website of some kind or at music clubs" he said. "The more people are able to shed their egos and open the lines of communication, either in the rehearsal setting, on stage at a jam session, or just talking, the better the music will be."

Reardon added that "venues like The Social are great because they bring in bigger acts as well as some that are more underground, which helps local musicians and fans understand what is going on elsewhere in the country. This, in turn," he said, "can inspire new music and bring new energy to the local scene." The group's debut album, "Scare Tactics," is available at the Afromotive website, including sound clips.

Odin's Den is located at 1335 Howell Branch Road in Winter Park and can be reached at 407-644-3588