The Occidental Brothers’ blend of high-energy soukous, rootsy Ghananian Highlife, and African Jazz conjures the sound of the golden age of the African guitar band. Founded in Chicago, the group has collaborated with musicians from Ghana, Congo, and Zambia. Bandleader and guitarist Nathaniel Braddock was a faculty member at Chicago’s Old Town School of Folk Music for ten years and is a veteran of Chicago’s indie rock scene. Now living in Cambridge, Mass, he also leads Trio Mokili and Air Congo. The group features the acclaimed jazz musicians Greg Ward on alto saxophone and Makaya McCraven and Greg Artry play drums. Bass duties are handled by Chicago’s beloved Joshua Ramos. The Occidental Brothers have energized festival stages in Europe and North America, including Poland’s Made In Chicago 2017, Chicago World Music Festival 2016, Chicago Jazz Fest 2011, Nijmegen Music Meeting NL 2010, Moers Fest DE 2010, Ottawa Bluesfest 2010, Toronto AfroFest 2010, GlobalFest 2009, the Montreal and Vancouver Jazz Festivals 2009, and Pitchfork 2008. The group presents a new collaboration with Brooklyn-based choreographer Edisa Weeks in 2020.