The Durham, NC based Triangle Afrobeat Orchestra (TAO) is a high-energy band that gets audiences of all ages moving and grooving with their electrifying performances.
Led by bassist/composer Vattel Cherry, TAO is an effort to wake up consciousness, bring people together, interpret, explain, denounce, keep record, and provoke changes through music. TAO takes its inspiration from: Afro Funk pioneer, Geraldo Pino, Afro Beat creator Fela Kuti, pianist/singer Nina Simone, pioneering funk singer Betty Davis and activist/revolutionary Fred Hampton.
TAO has performed at: Shakori Hills Grassroots Festival (Pittsboro, NC); Cat's Cradle, Carrboro Music Festival (Carrboro, NC); Francis Marion University (Florence, SC); New Belgium Brewery (Asheville, NC); Snug Harbor & Petra's (Charlotte, NC); Motorco Music Hall, Fullsteam Brewery, BULL HORN FEST (Durham, NC); The Pour House Music Hall & Kings (Raleigh, NC).
Genre Description:
Afrobeat is a music genre which involves the combination of elements of West African musical styles such as Fuji music and highlife with American funk and jazz influences, with a focus on chanted vocals, complex intersecting rhythms, and percussion.
