Mwenso and the Shakes are a unique troupe of global artists who present music that merges the highest form of entertainment and artistry while commanding a formidable timeline of jazz and blues expression through African and Afro American music. Immigrating from Sierra Leone, London, South Africa, Greenwich Village, Madagascar, France, Jamaica, and Hawaii the Shakes all now call Harlem their home.  Taking from the stylings of Fats Waller, Muddy Waters, James Brown and many other American musical legends - Mwenso leads an electrifying show the New York Times calls “intense, prowling, and ebullient.” 

Russell Hall is an Emmy, Grammy, and Golden Globe nominated jazz artist from Kingston, Jamaica. He was introduced to jazz at the Dillard Center for the Arts directed by Christopher Dorsey. He continued his studies with master bassists Ron Carter and Ben Wolfe at The Juilliard School in New York City. He has worked with legends such as Edward Norton, Kathleen Battle, Wynton and Branford Marsalis, Barry Harris, Wayne Shorter, Roy Haynes, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Mwenso and The Shakes, Emmet Cohen and Jonathan Batiste, and Stay Human. His band, “Bessie and The Rainbowkids” is a group comprised of artists from all around the world whose mission is to bring peace to all ears and love to all hearts. 

Click on the YouTube logo on the embedded player to chat with the artists and other virtual audience members during the premiere.