The Afro-Semitic Experience

Overview

The Afro-Semitic Experience is an American roots jazz band with a difference.  Founded in 1998 by pianist Warren Byrd and bassist David Chevan, they have been performing, recording, and teaching together for over 25 years. Their friendship ignites their passion and purpose: Together, as a band, they merge their musical roots, Jewish and Afro-diasporic melodies and grooves, combining the core concepts of ase and shalom – power, action, unity, and peace. The result is a powerful and poetic musical experience that celebrates diversity, promotes social justice, and inspires hope and joy.

Their music embodies the radical notion that people of different faiths, races, and beliefs can come together through music; to celebrate and build community.  The result is what one music journalist called, “a whoopin’, hollerin’, testifyin’ celebration of multicultural soul music. Imagine Charles Mingus sitting in with a Klezmer band, playing Gospel music set to the polyrhythmic pace of congas and bongos.”