June Showcase Journal: Entry #4 – Kuenta i Tambú Off The 405

One night. Two epic shows. An adventure in two parts.

Felt like doing something crazy as I glanced at my twitter feed on my phone, riding the monorail up towards the Getty Center for their second event of 2014 “Saturdays Off The 405” session. I was on my way up to see buzzworthy Dutch Afro-Curaçaoan tambú musicians – Kuenta i Tambú. Yeah. Not a typical band that I cover, so I was hoping for a memorable life changing performance that will bring about a great blurb. Not really what happened. That was more about me than them.

K i T are unsung kings of block party music. Their goal is to in trance everyone in the rhythm divine. Words are not needed as the instruments beat as one. A sound so powerful that even vintage humans shake their brittle bones to it. The lyrics are merely enhancements to the island instruments (in this case; bongos, guitars, DJ soundboard, percussion hand jug drum shakers) proliferating all around.

The battleground does affect me. So, to see a band made for tropical settings with carefree patrons clutching onto flavorful mixed drinks at such a sophisticated local didn’t fit my dream scenario. Nor was I transported as I watched from afar. That didn’t stop the masking taped pit from dancing till the night came out. These handful of guests were being controlled by their “Words & Drums” (translation of their name BTW) the entire time. Crazy fools losing their minds in the marble courtyard. The devoted didn’t want Kuenta i Tambú to stop. But it eventually did.

I booked out as the music died & the wave of patrons made a rush to the trams. I had somewhere to be. The next destination: The El Rey. A cat was ready to pounce out the cage.