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[email protected]   www.facebook.com/shokazoba  shokazoba.bandcamp.com  www.instagram.com/shokazoba
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Shokazoba (Nigerian for shock absorber) is an award winning horn driven dance party powerhouse performing original top quality high energy music designed to move our feet, inspire the mind, & activate our souls! Founded in 2005 as a Fela Kuti tribute project, their aim is to proliferate conscious awareness & positive social change through the vehicle of an irresistibly danceable polyrhythmic trance music they call New World Funk.

You'll hear an eclectic blend of influences prominently featuring Fela's proprietary genre he named Afrobeat which takes the listener on a journey of self discovery Fela termed "An Underground Spiritual Game". Shokazoba devoutly carries Fela's integral intentions of true egalitarianism with respect for everyone's feelings as fundamental philosophies fully reflected in their passionately urges of critically honest crucially topical lyrical messages. Shokazoba's existence is of a spiritual inspiration rooted in deep meaningful human connections found within the timeless joy of ecstatic heartfelt celebratory dance music. 

​Voted "Best of the Valley" five times by the Valley Advocate Reader's Poll, nominated for "Live Act of the Year" by the New England Music Awards, winners of the 2017 Valley Music Showcase, & recognized with several honorable distinctions by the African Jazz Review, Shokazoba is currently working on new material to share with the world as they draw ever closer to their 20th year. New World Funk will likely exceed one's expectations as the recordings are teaming with unrivaled artistic creativity, so be prepared to be absolutely blown away in the best possible way. Shokazoba aims to provide the most fun you will ever have listening and dancing at a live show in the Pioneer Valley and beyond so do come out to see them soon!

​Shokazoba offers our fullest love and gratitude to Fela Anikulapo Kuti and Tony Allen for inventing Afrobeat and therefore inspiring, shaping, guiding & instilling deep meaning & magic into our journey. We recognize every contribution of every musician, audience member & all the beautiful people we've had the genuine pleasure of meeting through Afrobeat culture. We wholeheartedly thank the beautiful Marigold Theater in Easthampton MA for so graciously providing the space for us to continue our work. Please check out our contact page to find out more about Afrobeat & it's origins by clicking on the buttons and pictures. Thank you for visiting our virtual home so please explore, enjoy & share our music & the messages within. Love & Respect - Shokazoba

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(Some) Noteworthy Performance Venues:
LIT Fest ME, Inn on the Blues ME, Parkville Market CT, Race Brook Lodge MA, Cisco Brewers NH & MA, Warner Fall Foliage Festival NH, One River Festival VT, Whip City Brewfest MA, Green River Festival MA, Colonial Theater MA, Skinny Pancake VT & NH, Red Square VT, Garlic & Arts Festival MA, Columbia University Earth Day Festival NYC, Somerville Jazz & Blues Festival MA, Theodore's Blues & BBQ MA, Discover Burlington Jazz Festival VT, Harry Brown's Farm ME, MGM Springfield MA, HiLo MA, The Ritz MA, The Brewmaster's Tavern MA, Hatbox Theater NH, Parlor Newport RI, Charlie O's VT, Extravaganja MA, The Hive NH, Some Kind of Jam PA, Meeting of the Minds PA, Brooklyn Bowl NYC, Strange Creek Music Festival MA, Boston Cannabis Freedom Rally MA, The Shrine NYC, The Middle East MA, Exhibit A Brewing MA, Club Bohemia MA, Luthier's Co-op MA, The Milky Way Lounge MA, Opus Underground MA, BSP Kingston NY, Chatham Brewing NY, New City Brewery MA, Tree House Brewery MA, Drunken Rabbit Brewing MA, First Night Northampton MA, Union Station MA, Whetstone Station VT, The Taste of Amherst MA, The Taste of The Valley MA, Amherst Outdoor Concert Series MA, The Main Pub CT, La Boca CT, Latchkey NH, The Press Room NH, Brick & Ash MA, Zenbarn VT, Empire ME, Parish Public House NY, Pitman's Freight Room NH, Charlemont Reggae Festival MA, Sanctuary for Independent Media NY, 1794 Meetinghouse MA, Penuche's Music Hall NH, Warwick Town Hall Concert Series MA, New Africa House MA, The Oasis Pub CT, Rockwood Music Hall NY, StArt on the Street MA, Electric Haze MA, The Shea Theater MA, Upper Valley Music Festival MA, Mill Number 5 MA, Cannery Music Hall MA, Amherst Block Party MA, Jamherst MA, Schackstock MA, L'Escalier Montreal Canada, Energy Park Concert Series MA, Bella Terra Music Festival NY, Harlow's Pub NH, Deja Brew Pub MA, Stone Church VT & NH, NuBlu NYC, Maggy's Lounge MA, Stomping Ground CT, Bishop's Lounge MA, Iron Horse Music Hall MA, Hawks & Reed Performance Art Center MA, Gateway City Arts MA, Arch Street Tavern CT, Black Eyed Sally's CT, Stella Blues CT, Christy's Irish Pub CT, Courthouse Center for the Arts RI, Riverwalk Cafe & Music Bar NH, The Parlour RI, Green Door Pub VT

SHOKAZOBA 2024

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​"With a groove so funky you can smell it, they blend several different genres in a mixer and leave the listener convulsing to the sounds. From Jazz to Funk to an addicting West African beat, they have developed a wonderfully unique soundscape that fits perfectly with the inspiring message the band delivers." - http://bandsforbernie.co
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​"Sometimes a record really can wake you up from whatever slump you’re in, and make you feel refreshed. For an amateur of New World music like myself, Shokazoba is perfect; the band’s music is succinct, exciting, new and makes you want to listen for a deeper understanding." - CMJ
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"New England Afrofunk Ensemble embracing Fela's legacy with a conscious message delivered in powerful danceable music." - ​Iohann Vega, Radioplasma
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"It's a fantastic track: like musical ​gold flowing through my head."  ​Andy Mattholie, Jazz Central on Sine FM

LIT Festival ME 7/23/21 

ONE DESTINY 2015

CONGRESS FOR SALE 2010