EMEFE x Brighton Beat

An inscription on the new EMEFE vinyl reads: “This album is for you - our listeners - thank you for inspiring us to keep moving forward.” EMEFE has developed a loyal-turned-fervent following since their beginnings as classmates in NYC jazz programs, hungry to revel in the joy of musicmaking together. Back then, they yearned to express their musicianship as individuals and connect as a whole, free of judgment and focused on fun. 15 years later, with band members having played with Mark Ronson, David Byrne, The Roots, Sharon Jones and many more musical luminaries, their 2025 album FORWARD showed that their initial mission remains exactly the same. Through 10 energetic and inspired tracks, the album exhibits a tight knit group of longtime friends seasoned in accessing that musical joy together. “We just flip a switch, and boom, we’re locked in - it’s a level of connection we don’t take for granted,” says drummer and producer Miles Francis, who founded the band in 2009 just before joining acclaimed New York band Antibalas and mentoring under legendary Afrobeat drummer Tony Allen. EMEFE’s initial guiding light was Fela Kuti’s Afrobeat, but they would incorporate funk, new wave, and neo soul influences to create their own unique sound that recalled past classics while leaning into the future. From their 2012 album Good Future to signature tracks like “Sun Spat,” their songs - lead by their iconic horn section as the proverbial lead singer and anchored by the bass presence of Doug Berns - have garnered millions of organic streams and have been played by school ensembles and marching bands around the world. At their legendary live shows, as cathartic and potent as ever, the crowd is made up of both longtime followers and many who just discovered them online in the last few years. “We’ve been actively motivated by our fans to celebrate what we’ve built so far and stay true to our path ahead, ” says Berns. “They are the engine that propels us to keep making new music that we’re overflowing with excitement about." Saxophonist Jas Walton chimes in: "Same as it ever was!”
The Brighton Beat's influences range from Afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti, to modern cutting-edge NYC Jazz with a heavy helping of classic New Orleans brass band Funk. Performing up and down the East coast since 2010, the band has developed a style of performance that uniquely engages the audience and is fun for the whole family. Positive, uplifting, danceable music is a trademark of The Brighton Beat sound. Instrumental songs that feature room for the horn section to improvise anchor the band's set, but the show often includes guest vocalists, audience participation, group sing-a-longs and even the occasional circus act.
The Brighton Beat have the honor to perform with many legendary artists such as Femi Kuti, Roy Hargrove, Mike Stern and The Soul Rebels just to name a few. In their hometown of NYC, the band has been featured at venues like The Brooklyn Bowl, The Blue Note, Joe's Pub and many more. In an effort to give back to younger musicians and inspire the next generation, The Brighton Beat developed their flagship in-school education program; Jazz In The Classroom and has been bringing it to schools for almost 10 years.
Faculty of Berklee, New England Conservatory, NYU, Broadway pit musicians, top call session players, and world touring musicians all call The Brighton Beat there own, their home and heart. The fruit of their lifelong passion for music art and entertainment is presented each night on stage for all to experience and be inspired by. This passion, honesty and positive music is deeply necessary in our current cultural climate. This family truly believes in the power of music, and all it can bring.