Zongo

Over the years, Zongo has evolved through many forms without ever losing its ability to keep a room moving and dancing. Conceived as a duo between keyboardist Woody Woodmansee and drummer Dan Barkman in early 2004, the project quickly moved beyond its original boundaries. After their debut release as a four-piece in February of 2007, which Tim Roberts from Louisville Music News describes as "less funk and more fusion, less booty-shaking and more thought-provoking, like the work of Pink Floyd without the pretentious sourness and navel-gazing, or some of the works of Frank Zappa," Zongo has augmented their lineup to include a horn section consisting of some of the best players in the Louisville area. The band, headed up by veteran Zongo members Michael Dufresne, Tripp Bratton and Dave Chandler, have worked and performed with such artists as Bernie Worrell, Days of the New, The Roots, Bobby Lee Rodgers & The Codetalkers, Groovatron, Peter Searcy, Nego Gato, Devan Evans (of Bob Marley & Jimmy Cliff), in addition to many others. The newest additions, long-time jazz/funk/fusion drummer Theo Richardson, Maurice Hamilton of Big Diggity and Nashville's Muzic Mafia on saxophone & vocals and Tim Harris of G Funk Allstars and Inner Vision Collision on saxophones, round out the bands' already honed sound as well as spilling the music into realms previously tread by Parliament Funkadelic, Fela Kuti and the like. Regardless of your musical tastes, the funky or the melodic, catchy or strange, Zongo is sure to hook you and reel you in all night long.