April 12, 2016 – The Baboons ‘Spanglish’ CD release party

The Baboons invite you to the world premiere of their new CD Spanglish, a 15-song opus of Miami stories set to a syncopated only-in-South Florida soundtrack, on April 16, 2016 at the North Beach Bandshell in Miami Beach. The veteran worldbeat group will share the bill with legendary reggae band Third World, Jo Mersa & Yohan Marley, Big Harvest, Uma Galera, DJ Gravy, Tom Laroc and the lovely artist Eva Ruiz painting live as part of Community Arts & Culture’s ‘A Day At The Beach’ festival. RSVP at: Event Page Tickets available at: Brown Paper Tickets

“We’re super excited to finally give birth to our new CD and we are honored to share the stage with Third World, one of our favorite reggae bands for decades,” said lead singer Majica. “It’s a dream come true to debut our new recording on the same bill as such an influential and iconic group that taught us long ago Love Will Always Be There, one of our favorite songs by them!”

The Baboons’ ambitious new bilingual recording Spanglish features all-original songs that pay homage to Miami’s diversity and draw inspiration from the mix of global cultural influences found on the streets and beaches of their hometown. Throughout the years, the band’s music has evolved into a rich global fusion that combines Latin American, Caribbean, African, Middle Eastern and American roots influences.

The seven-piece outfit on “Spanglish” features sultry singer Majica on lead vocals and founder Mano Pila on drums and vocals (the two also host the Global Gumbo with Majica & Mano P. radio show Sundays on WDNA, 4-6 p.m.), Miguel Rega on percussion, Ike Blues on guitar and vocals, Michael Muton bass, and Dominick Cama and Paul Messina on saxophones and flutes.

“Spanglish is a love letter to the Miami that thrives in a cultural community, where diverse people from all over the world live, love and influence each other every day,” said Majica, who along with Pila served as a principal songwriter on the album. “These songs are stories about real Miami characters. They come from different worlds, they struggle, but in the end they all call Miami home.”

The title song ‘Spanglish’ is the story of a young woman that comes here to ‘get away from the cold’ and winds up falling in love and becoming ‘fluent in amor.‘ The fan favorite ‘Soon Come Samba’ is about a samba-loving little sister dreaming of future carnavals and the older sister that warns her not to grow up too fast. ‘Cebolla’ tells the story of an aging mambo master who works construction by day but is a hero to the kids in his working-class neighborhood when he blows his horn at night. ‘Dashiki Blue’ is about a homesick college student overwhelmed by a parcel from home. ‘Pequena Habanera’ is a coming-of-age tale about a domino-hustling Little Havana princess and the love-struck son of the baker who courts her with guava pastries. The band’s audacious mix of seemingly disparate musical elements provides the perfect framework for these South Florida stories.

There are plenty of weird and wonderful mash-ups on Spanglish, from the exotic bombast of ‘Balkan Thang’ to the Fela-meets-Hendrix onslaught of ‘Yuca,’ the instrumentals that bookend the CD. In between there’s the merengue-punk of ‘El Tiki Tiki,’ the gospelly country waltz ‘Crazy Confirmation,’ and the catchy 50’s rocker ‘This Is Me,’ which celebrates and reinforces the message: ‘This is me, I am what I am!'”

Spanglish was recorded at Miami’s Red Door Studios and the finishing touches were added at several studios in South Florida. Special guests include Senegalese griot Morikeba Kouyate on kora, Jose Domenech on piano, AJ Hill on baritone sax, Rich Dixon on trumpet, Jose Elias and Buffalo Brown on guitars, Kenneth Metzker on steel drums, Phil McArthur on bass and JJ Freire on djembe.  Cover art by Eva Ruiz.

The Baboons have been South Florida fixtures for more than 22 years. Born at an In-Progress Art Festival at the now-defunct Ft. Lauderdale nightspot Squeeze on July 2, 1993, the amorphous early ensembles featured a rotating line-up of local musicians eager to explore the band’s culturally curious aesthetic. Throughout the years, the band has shared the bill with Jimmy Buffet, George Clinton’s P-Funk All-Stars, The Dirty Dozen Brass Band and The Radiators. Since their inception, the group has received many honors, including a Florida Jammy Award for Best Worldbeat Band. The Baboons have released two full-length recordings until now – the award-winning Evolution, honored by New Times Miami as the “Best Album Of The Past Twelve Months” in 2000, and the critically acclaimed follow-up Global Gumboin 2001. Spanglish is the band’s third full-length release.

January 2, 2016 – The Baboons Invade Hollywood ArtsPark 1.2.16

The Baboons, Miami’s joyfully genre-smashing “Funky Latin Rock” pioneers, will kick off 2016 with a free all-ages concert at the Hollywood ArtsPark on Saturday, January 2, 8-9:30pm as part of the ArtsPark Live concert series with Special Guest Rich Dixon on Trumpet and introducing Andre Cama on Bass.

The Baboons’ first show of 2016 marks the wildly eclectic ensemble’s return to the beautiful Hollywood ArtsPark in Downtown Hollywood for the first time since 2014. The band will be featuring new songs from its forthcoming 3rd full-length release, Spanglish  as well as newer songs never before heard north of the Miami-Dade/Broward border. The music starts promptly at 8pm.

“We are thrilled to return to one of South Florida’s coolest and most historic venues,” said Majica. “Young Circle has hosted concerts since the 1920s, and The Baboons have been playing in this iconic community meeting place for two decades, since long before it was reborn as the ArtsPark, and it is always a pleasure to return to the scene of so many memorable events throughout the years.”

October 12, 2015 – The Baboons play Arts at St. John’s Harvest Festival on Saturday, October 24 @ 7pm

The Baboons play Arts at St. John’s Harvest Festival on Saturday, October 24 @  7pm
Miami’s percussive primates to headline Arts at St. Johns’ autumnal celebration in Miami Beach 

It’s going to be a wild time in the Pumpkin Patch when The Baboons headline the Arts at St. John’s Harvest Festival on Saturday, October 24th, 7:00 p.m. at St. Johns on the Lake, 4760 Pine Tree Drive, Miami Beach FL 33140. The veteran worldbeat group will feature songs from the band’s upcoming release, Spanglish, a 15-song opus of Miami stories set to a syncopated only-in-South Florida soundtrack. The First Annual Harvest Festival will feature a weekend of family-friendly concerts, face-painting, and pumpkin-picking in beautiful Miami Beach. Tickets to the concert are available at artsatstjohns.com.

The Baboons draw inspiration from the mix of worldly influences found on the streets of their hometown. Throughout the years, musicians with diverse backgrounds have added to the band’s palette, evolving into a rich global fusion that combines Latin American, Caribbean, African, Middle Eastern and American roots influences.

The seven-piece outfit features sultry singer Majica on lead vocals and founder Mano Pila on drums and vocals (the two also host the “Global Gumbo with Majica & Mano P.” radio show Sundays on WDNA, 4-6 p.m.), Miguel Rega on percussion, Ike Blues on guitar and vocals, Michael Mut on bass and vocals, and Dominick Cama and Paul Messina on saxophones and flutes.

“The Baboons are thrilled to be part of the Harvest Festival,” said Majica. “We’re honored to perform these South Florida songs for the Arts at St. Johns community, especially in light of this season’s theme, Places We Call Home. These songs are all about characters that call Miami home. There are samba-loving little sisters dreaming of future carnavals, aging mambo masters keeping traditions alive, rhythmic pilgrims seeking salvation in the rapture of a righteoThe Baboons have been South Florida fixtures for more than 22 years. Born at an In-Progress Art Festival at the now-defunct Ft. Lauderdale nightspot Squeeze on July 2, 1993, the amorphous early ensembles featured a rotating line-up of local musicians eager to explore the band’s culturally curious aesthetic. Throughout the years, the band has shared the bill with Jimmy Buffet, George Clinton’s P-Funk All-Stars, The Dirty Dozen Brass Band and The Radiators.us rumba, homesick students overwhelmed by a parcel from home, and barrio bakery boys who court Little Havana princesses with guava pastries. They come from different worlds but they all call Miami home.”

The Baboons will perform at St. John’s on the Lake for the first time since October 2005. “It’s hard to believe it’s been a decade since we last played here. We can’t wait to return to this very special sanctuary for the arts,” Majica said.

The Baboons have been South Florida fixtures for more than 22 years. Born at an In-Progress Art Festival at the now-defunct Ft. Lauderdale nightspot Squeeze on July 2, 1993, the amorphous early ensembles featured a rotating line-up of local musicians eager to explore the band’s culturally curious aesthetic. Throughout the years, the band has shared the bill with Jimmy Buffet, George Clinton’s P-Funk All-Stars, The Dirty Dozen Brass Band and The Radiators.

Since their inception, the group has received many honors, including a Florida Jammy Award for Best Worldbeat Band. The Baboons have released two full-length recordings – the award-winning Evolution, honored by New Times Miami as the “Best Album Of The Past Twelve Months” in 2000, and the critically acclaimed follow-up Global Gumbo in 2001. The band is currently working on the 15-track recording Spanglish at Miami’s Red Door Studio.

For more info, please call 305.510.3003 or email thebaboons305@gmail.com. Check out http://thebaboons.com and join our community of friends on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/thebaboons, on Twitter at @thebaboons and on Instagram at @thebaboons305

August 27, 2015 – The Baboons to kick off third day of Ball & Chain 80th Anniversary Festival

The Baboons to kick off third day of
Ball & Chain 80th Anniversary Festival

Miami’s percussive primates will debut at Ball & Chain on Sunday, September 6, 1:20-2:05 pm

Miami’s pioneering worldbeat band The Baboons will open the third day of the  Ball & Chain Music Festival on Sunday, September 6th, 1:20-2:05 p.m. in celebration of the Little Havana venue’s 80th Anniversary.  The Baboons’ first-ever performance at Ball & Chain will feature songs from the band’s upcoming release, Spanglish, a 15-song portrait of modern Miami. The Baboons will share the bill with many of South Florida’s finest acts on Labor Day Weekend, including the Spam All Stars, Elastic Bond, Suenalo, Electric Piquete and Conjunto Progreso. Ball & Chain is located at 1513 SW 8th Street in the heart of Little Havana.

The Baboons draw inspiration from the mix of worldly influences found on the streets of their hometown. Throughout the years, musicians with diverse backgrounds have added to the band’s palette, evolving into a rich global fusion that combines Latin American, Caribbean, African, Middle Eastern and American roots influences.

The seven-piece outfit features sultry singer Majica on lead vocals and founder Mano Pila on drums and vocals (the two also host the “Global Gumbo with Majica & Mano P.” radio show Sundays on WDNA, 4-6 p.m.), Miguel Rega on percussion, Ike Blues on guitar and vocals, Michael Mut on bass and vocals, and Dominick Cama and Paul Messina on saxophones and flutes.

“The Baboons are super-excited to be part of the Ball & Chain Music Festival,” said Majica. “We’re honored to share the bill with so many of our friends on this momentous occasion.”

Following the festival, The Baboons will be performing at Everglades Awareness Benefit on September 19 at Gramps in Wynwood.

Born at an In-Progress Art Festival at the now-defunct Ft. Lauderdale nightspot Squeeze on July 2, 1993, the amorphous early ensembles featured a rotating line-up of local musicians eager to explore the band’s culturally curious aesthetic. Throughout the years, the band has shared the bill with Jimmy Buffet, George Clinton’s P-Funk All-Stars, The Dirty Dozen Brass Band and The Radiators.

Since their inception, the group has received many honors, including a Florida Jammy Award for Best Worldbeat Band. The Baboons have released two full-length recordings – the award-winning Evolution, honored by New Times Miami as the “Best Album Of The Past Twelve Months” in 2000, and the critically acclaimed follow-up Global Gumbo in 2001. The band is currently working on the 15-track opus Spanglish at Miami’s Red Door Studio.

For more info, please call 305.510.3003 or email thebaboons@bellsouth.net. Check out http://thebaboons.com and join our community of friends on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/thebaboons, on Twitter at @thebaboons and on Instagram at @thebaboons305

June 14, 2015 – Majica and Mano P. Celebrate 10 years on WDNA!

The Baboons debut at WDNA Jazz Gallery – July 6, 2015
Join us from 7-10pm as The Baboons unveil the cover of “Spanglish” with featured artist Eva Ruiz!

March 7, 2015 – The Baboons debut at Carnival on the Mile!

The Baboons debut at Carnival on the Mile – March 7, 2015
Join us from 2-2:45pm as The Baboons play the Telemundo Stage!

March 1, 2015 – The Baboons with The Spam Allstars Live at The Stage!

The Baboons debut at The Stage – March 14, 2015
Join us from 10pm – 2am as The Baboons and The Spam Allstars play live!

February 4, 2015 – The Baboons debut at Virginia Key GrassRoots Festival!

The Baboons debut at Grassroots Festival – February 19, 2015
Join us from 11pm – 12am as The Baboons close the first night of Virginia Key Grassroots on the Sustainability Pavillion!

December 1, 2014 – The Baboons – Live at Fritz & Franz Bierhaus!

The Baboons celebrate Majica’s Birthday – December 6, 2014
Join us from 9pm – 1am for Art Basel’s Miami Herald Pick of the Week!

October 1, 2014 – The Baboons Are Live at Woodys West Tavern!

The Baboons return to Woodys West Tavern – October 11th, 2014
Join us from 7-11pm and hear some brand new original tunes by your favorite primates!

August 1, 2014 – The Baboons Return to Hollywood ArtsPark!

The Baboons return to Hollywood ArtsPark – August 2nd, 2014
Join us from 8-9:30pm for The Baboons first return to Hollywood ArtsPark since 2008!

July 14, 2014 – Live at Woodys West Tavern!

The Baboons play Woodys West Tavern – July 26th, 2014
Join us from 7-11pm for a The Baboons first appearance at Woodys!

July 1, 2014 – The Baboons debut on Fusion Live TV!

The Baboons debut on National Television – July 7-10, 2014
Join us at 8-9pm for a 4 days of performances on national TV!

June 12, 2014 – The Baboons Play Live at the Cocktail Collection!

The Baboons inaugurate Tobacco Road’s Cocktail Collection – June 21st, 2014
Join us from 9:30pm – 1:30 am as we celebrate the opening of the new upstairs!

March 12, 2014 – The Baboons 20th Anniversary!

The Baboons celebrate 20 years at Tobacco Road – March 22nd, 2014
Join us from 10pm for a historic celebration of 20 years of Babooning, with special guests The Nag Champayons!

March 1, 2011 – The Baboons Rock Key Biscayne!

The Baboons play at Rickenbacker Fish Co. – March 3rd, 2011
Join us from 9pm-1am and hear new original music and check out this great new venue!

November 20, 2010 – Majica’s Birthday Bash!

The Baboons celebrate Majica’s Birthday at Titanic Brewery November 27th, 2010.
Join us from 10pm-1:30am and hear new original music while you enjoy some great brews!

September 18, 2010 – The Baboons play EarthDance Miami

The Baboons hit the Main Stage @ 9:30 p.m.
105 NE 21st Street, Miami
http://EarthDanceMiami.com

Check out the lineup at http://earthdancemiami.com/earthdance/Artists.html

June 18, 2010 – The Baboons Return to Titanic Brewery to Celebrate Mano Pila’s Birthday Bash

Join us at Titanic Brewery on Friday, June 18, 10pm. 5813 Ponce De Leon Boulevard,
Coral Gables, FL (next to University of Miami baseball field near Red Road) (305) 668-1742.

October 23, 2009 – The Baboons Live at Hollywood Beach Bandshell w/ Special Guest Galaxy Girl

Join us at the historic Hollywood Beach Bandshell on Friday, October 23, 7-9pm. This oceanside concert will take place at the Hollywood Beach Broadwalk and Johnson Street. It’s free, and all ages are welcome.

October 10, 2009 – The Baboons Live at Van Dyke Cafe

Join us at Van Dyke Cafe on Saturday, October 10, 9pm – 1am. Rumor has it we will be joined onstage by Galaxy Girl Jeannette Romeu. Van Dyke Cafe is located at 846 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach. See you there!

October 1, 2008 – The Baboons’ CDs Now on DigStation

The Baboons’ two critically acclaimed albums, Evolution & Global Gumbo, are now available on DigStation. For more information, visit The Baboons Store.

September 27, 2008 – The Baboons Perform at Hollywood Beach Clambake

The Baboons perform at the Hollywood Beach Clambake on Sat. September 27 @ 2:30 pm. For more information, Hollywood FL Clambake 2008.

September 3, 2008 – The Baboons Release Video on YouTube

The Baboons released a new video EPK on YouTube. Check it out!

July 5, 2008 – Exploring Love Movie Premiere, Featuring the Music of The Baboons

Join The Baboons for the premiere of the independent film Exploring Love, featuring the music of The Baboons.

June 30, 2008 – The Baboons Website Is LIVE!!!

That’s right folks! The Baboons website is up and running. Check on us regularly for pics, downloads, cool stuff and news just for the fans out there. Quit monkeying around and take a peek at the NEW thebaboons.com.

June 28, 2008 – The Baboons Celebrate 15th Anniversary, Quinces-style!

You are cordially invited to join The Baboons for a Quinces Celebration at Tobacco Road on Sat. June 28th, 2008 from 10 p.m.-2 a.m. Special appearances by past, present and future Baboons. Also on the bill, the amazingly funky Spam All-Stars.

January 10, 2008 – The Baboons Are BACK

The Baboons are back with a new boogaloo! Check out the new line-up and sounds of the band as they return to the stage for the first time since 2006.

For more information, Click Here for the press release (.pdf)