Past Tours:
Kool & The Gang + Roy Ayers - Melbourne
February 2011
The Palace Theatre, Melbourne
Peace Music and Niche Productions present
KOOL AND THE GANG
and ROY AYERS
with special guests
Thursday 17 February 2011 – The Palace Theatre, Melbourne - PLEASE NOTE CHANGE OF VENUE
Peace Music and Niche Productions are proud to present the legendary party band Kool and The Gang making their Australian debut, with the celebrated Roy Ayers and band, playing the Palais in Melbourne on Thursday 17 February and The Enmore Theatre on Friday 18 February.
Without a doubt one of the biggest soul/R&B/disco groups in the world, Kool and The Gang formed in 1964 in New Jersey and released their self titled debut album in 1969 which spawned the anthemic party hit ‘Celebration’.
Selling more than 90 million albums worldwide, Kool and The Gang’s songs are still instantly recognisable at clubs all over the world, as well as being one of the most sampled bands in history. Amongst the plethora of hits are favourites also including ‘Jungle Boogie’, ‘Ladies Night” and ‘Hollywood Swinging” to name just a few.
A name also synonymous with soul and disco among other styles is the dynamic Roy Ayers, who returns to Australia after a spirited tour with Niche Productions in 2008. Growing up in Los Angeles, Ayers was given his first pair of mallets at the age of five by the legendary Lionel Hampton, which led to the vibraphone being his signature sound ever since.
Known as one of the prophets of soul and acid jazz, Roy Ayers was a man decades ahead of his time. From his jazz days in the 60s, to his R&B band-leading of the 70s and 80s, his worldly fusing of musical styles has led to collaborations with an abundance of artists, including his 1980 ‘Music Of Many Colours’ album with Nigerian afrobeat activist Fela Kuti, and more recently with acts such as Erykah Badu and The Roots.
The bringing together of these two artists will mark legendary performances at both The Enmore Theatre and The Palais ,with music goers young and old embracing the disco and R&B spirits.
