Shawn Thwaites Rebel Quartet with special guest Camilla Covington

Saturday, January 26 at 7:30 pm
Shawn Thwaites – steel drums, Alex Raymond – piano, Elwood Allen – bass, Patrick Anderson – drums, David McKissick – trumpet, and Camilla Covington – vocals

(You are right – that’s more than 4 players, so it’s technically a sextet… but that’s not the name of the band.)

Shawn Thwaites is a Trinidadian-American musician and educator from Washington, DC. His area of expertise is unique – the steeldrum, a relatively new and under-explored instrument born out of the colonial history of Trinidad and Tobago.  His trademark style integrates the very best of his Trinidadian ancestry and his D.C. upbringing, intertwining jazz, hip-hop, funk, calypso, reggae, and more.  This distinct sound, along with his coy style of performing, has helped establish Thwaites as a rare and sought after international recording artist, musician, and educator.

Shawn Thwaites is a reputable and versatile steelpan musician and performer. His accomplishments include recordings with notable artists, such as Lauryn Hill, Walter Beasley, and Greg Philliganes. He has toured North America, South America, Africa, Asia, and Europe, bringing his distinct sound to audiences around the world. Thwaites earned his stripes within the steeldrum fraternity performing with several steel orchestras, such as Pan Masters, Moods Pan Groove and Oasis Steel Orchestra. He has carried that torch to some of the world’s most prestigious venues, such as the Kennedy Center and Lincoln Memorial Washington, DC. In 2011, he joined Native Deen, an American Nasheed group, with whom has performed for diverse audiences on five continents. In 2015, he formed the Shawn Thwaites Rebel Quartet.

The Shawn Thwaites Rebel Quartet (STRQ) was born out of an exploratory effort to fuse intricate masterpieces of Caribbean, African, American, and European composers. With the steeldrum at the helm, STRQ is undoubtedly the world’s most eclectic ensemble. As a steeldrum musician, Thwaites’ vision was to compile a cadre of talented musicians in a manner that would authentically present the steel drum and its deeply rooted history, while simultaneously pushing the instrument and culture to uncharted territories. Bringing together elements of jazz, rhythm and blues, hip hop, afro-beat, and calypso, STRQ pushes the limits of innovation, while remaining loyal to authentic world sounds.

With STRQ, Thwaites is actively reviving the birth of cool contemplated by Miles and realized by those who have used this approach as their musical foundation, such as Robert Glasper, Christian Scott, Esperanza Spalding, and Kendrick Lamar.

STRQ’s music is a healer, a weapon, a legal drug. It truly doesn’t get any better.

“In any mode, these rebels’ spirited positivity offers a romping good time to keep the drinks flowing and the room hopping.” Geno Thakara, All About Jazz

Camilla Covington is a singer-songwriter from Sacramento, California. She has performed in Sacramento since the age of 11. Camilla began seeking more opportunities to perform sets of her own music and finding her place as a Sacramento musician, performing larger sets at art shows. She is driven to comfort and inspire a large audience with a neo-soul sound and relatable lyrics. Some of Camilla’s music is available on SoundCloud and Instagram, soon to be on Spotify and iTunes.

This performance will take place during the Feast Mendocino – Crab, Wine & Beer Days event so get your tickets early!