All Words and Photos by Salvatore Colleluori

After a long Saturday at the Capitol Skyline Hotel pool, I trekked my way to the 9:30 Club for Femi Kuti. There were many people outside and I was confused at what was going on. Apparently, tickets had just sold out and there was a mad rush for people to try and get their hands on what was now a coveted commodity. Luckily, that was no concern to me. God Bless press passes. I entered the club and made my way to the front to try and get a good vantage point for some pictures. The doors for the show were slated at 8, but Femi didn’t come out til 9:45. By that point the crowd was ready to dance and move.

Femi did not come out right away. First, he had parts of his band come out and begin dancing on stage and singing and playing music. Finally, when Femi entered there was a thunderous roar from the sold out crowd. He comes out and screams “ahalalalalala” in the the microphone which is equally responded to with an “ahalalalala” from the crowd. Apparently, Washington DC is the only crowd who has not forgotten his chant. He jumps into one of my personal favorite songs, Eh Oh. The extended take on this song with Femi running around the stage greeting those in the front row, made the song that much more enjoyable.

The sound from the band was huge. With a full horn section, piano player, drummer, and conga player backing Femi, the sound was powerful and the horn lines were beautiful and accentuated. However, you can always tell that Femi is the leader of the band. When he plays the saxophone, he can make quick drastic dynamic changes and the entire band follows. He moves his hands in a “bring it down a notch” motion and the band all follows. It’s amazing to see such a skilled musician be so aware on stage that he can interact with the band, audience and still manage to play well himself.

Femi uses all the instruments he brings out on stage. Not only does he play 2 types of saxophone but also trumpet and organ. And each instrument he plays he brings a new voice to. While some tunes focus more in a rock grove others sound similar to a Miles Davis “Kind of Blue” track, while others are straight reggae. He never forgets his influences though, asking if we (the crowd) remembers Miles, and John Coltrane, and Billie Holiday, and explains how they created revolutions in music, soul, and energy, just as Obama will now create revolutions in the world. The energized crowd cheered even harder at this.

As the night progressed, Femi showed why he is a true master of African music. Thankfully, there is someone who can carry on the torch in the Kuti family. If only Fela can see him now.

Want more Kuti family adoration on BYT:
check this and this and this out