Music from Around the World in Sonoma County

Sang Matiz Latin Band

By Shekeyna Black

Music expresses emotion and takes the listener to another world, metaphorically speaking. It is vital to experience live music together as a community because it breaks through barriers and unites people under the common goal of enjoying the rhythms and lyrics of talented musicians. Sonoma County welcomes some world-renowned musicians from various parts of the globe for three special shows in April.

In chronological order, the first concert features, reggae legend, Pablo Moses. He resides in a neighborhood of Kingston, Jamaica and takes the Redwood Café stage on April 20th with his meditative brand of reggae music. The Heart Space presents show starts at 9:00pm with local talent,DJ Konnex warming up the audience. The concert benefits local non-profit, Live Music Lantern, whose mission is to gift concert tickets to teachers and social workers as a form of self-care.

Next, A Miracle Production [AMP] presents Sang Matiz and special guest, DJ Broken Record of UnderGround Un-Limited, on Friday,April 21st. Sang Matiz is known for “fusing World and Afro-Brazilian/Peruvian beats with contemporary rhythms such as Pop, Jazz, and Funk,” according to sangmatiz.org. Originally, the band formed in Sonoma County in 2008 and went on to have regional acclaim in the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond. The band opened for Buena Vista Social Club’s Adios Tour at Mountain Winery in Saratoga in 2015. Fronted by female lead singer,Yuriza Jared, who brings passion to the music of Sang Matiz. (Note: Involuntary dancing by concertgoers is likely at this sonic feast.)

Advance tickets are on sale on Eventbrite and at Redwood Café for both Pablo Moses and Sang Matiz. The venue has limited seating on a first-come first served basis and tables are cleared away in front of the 30’ x 8’ stage to make room for dancing. Redwood Cafe, owner, Michael McCullaugh goes out of his way to make bands and patrons feel comfortable and welcomed.

The final musical journey features Vieux Farka Touré, who is often referred to as the“Hendrix of the Sahara” and he hails from Mali, West Africa. Touré and his band grace the stage at the historic venue, formerly known as the Cotati Cabaret, on Sunday, April 30th for a benefit concert forLiveMusicLantern.org presented by Heart Space. Advance tickets are on sale online on BrownPaperTickets and at Redwood Cafe in Cotati, Cornerstone in Sebastopol and Last Record Store in Santa Rosa for this special concert. Proceeds for the fundraiser concert are designated for MIC; which means Music Is Care. The MIC program brings musicians into the homeless shelters for concerts for the residents. Elijah Barntsen, co-founder of Live Music Lantern, is committed to paying the musicians for the MIC events. It is a win-win for the performers and the people who live in the homeless shelters in Sonoma County.

No need for a passport to travel to hear these talented musicians! Enjoy the world-class music by supporting the local venues and a Sonoma County non-profit organization without having to travel too far.