WorldBeat: Artsouca

• Doors open: 6:30 pm
• Show 7 pm
• All tickets: $20
• Parties of 4 or more can reserve a table for an additional $25. Send a request to [email protected]
• Minors are welcome but must be accompanied by parent or guardian.
• Free street parking, no food or drink minimum, no charge to stay for second set.

The music of Artsouca (previously known as Touch Acoustra) is based on original compositions of various forms and harmonic styles including jazz, European classical, the music of West-Africa and spontaneous improvisation. The music is fused with West-African and Latin rhythms.

The band was founded by guitarist Rob Coltun, who grew up in the multi-cultural Brooklyn NY, and began performing in clubs at a fairly young age, playing such diverse music such as Doo-Wop, R & B, NYC Funk, Latin Rock, Country Music and Jazz. Rob studied classical music and jazz guitar with the legendary jazz guitarist Tal Farlow. After moving to Washington DC, Rob started performing with internationally acclaimed Griot and N’goni player Cheick Hamala Diabate and has since performed a number of times both in East and West Africa and has performed/recorded with legendary artists Vieux Farka Touré, Oumous Sangare, Toumani Diabate, Sidiki Diabate and Djelimadi Tounkara.

Touch Acoustra/Artsouca’s first album “When It Comes Upon You”, reached the top of the college charts, and the hit song "Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow" with singer Norah Jones, has over 25M views on YouTube. Artsouca will be performing the music from When It Comes Upon You and other recordings, including the recently released Sly Hy.

The lineup is:

Joe Herrera (Trumpet)

Sara Zhu (Flute)

Andrew Musselman (Bass)

Chris Payne (Drums)

Dave Foreman (Congas)

Rene Ibanez (Congas)

Rob Coltun (Guitar)