Red Pants Jam: A Tribute to Peter Nelson & Shangoya Reunion

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More About

• Aldric Peter Nelson
• Cheryl Davidson
• Chico Harris
• Duluth
• Jose James

From our relatively enlightened perspective near the end of the first decade of the 21st century—African bands at the Dakota, Caribbean bands at the zoo, Mongolian bands at the Cedar—it's a little difficult to comprehend the profound influence Shangoya had on the Twin Cities and the surrounding region beginning in 1972, when Trinidad native Aldric Peter Nelson founded the band. But the charismatic Nelson introduced the feverish sounds of the Caribbean to the land of wind-chill factor, and soon Shangoya was steaming up local stages with a potent brew of reggae, calypso, and soca; breaking down cultural barriers with its infectious rhythms; and paving the way for a significant broadening of the regional musical palette. Nelson died in 2004, just hours after regaling the faithful yet again with a show in Duluth. His spirit lives on whenever those tropical rhythms slither off an Upper Midwest stage, and no doubt will be present when dozens of former Shangoya members gather at the Cabooze to pay tribute. A partial list of those on hand includes Cyril Paul, Lynval Jackson, Stephen Scott, Cheryl Davidson, Wain and Juju McFarlane, Tony Paul, Cliff Alexis, Chico Harris, Lloyd Cordner, and Jose James. There's no word on Peter Himmelman, but if he's in town, don't be surprised. Otherwise, get on your red pants and jam! 21+.
Fri., July 31, 8:30 p.m., 2009