Ethio Cali, a Los Angeles-based ensemble led by Todd Simon, fuses traditional Ethiopian rhythms with modern jazz and funk. The band will celebrate 15 years of vibrancy and innovation on the Grand Performances stage. Plus, a legendary set by DJ Nu-Mark.
Curated by Nance Arte Presents.
LOCATION, PARKING & FAQ click here
Schedule
6:45 pm - 7:15 pm Todd Simon’s LA-Multi Big Band
7:15 pm - 8:20 pm DJ Nu-Mark
8:30 pm - 10:00 pm Ethio Cali with Special Guests
Ethio Cali
Ethio Cali is a Los Angeles-based Ethio-Jazz ensemble led by Grammy-winning trumpeter, arranger, composer, and educator Todd Simon. They fuse traditional 1960s and 70s Ethiopian music with modern jazz, funk, and rhythmic textures from across Africa, Indonesia, the Caribbean, and Latin America. The band is celebrating 15 years of vibrancy and innovation. Members of Ethio Cali have produced and performed at countless Grand Performances events, making our 40th anniversary even more special.
Ethio Cali features:
Todd Simon – Trumpet/Leader
Ruby Simon - Saxophone
Randal Fisher – Saxophone
Tylana Renga – Violin
Alan Lightner – Steel Drums/Percussion
Kibrom Birhane – Keyboards
Nadav Peled – Guitar
Brandon Owens – Bass
Kahlil Cummings – Percussion
Dexter Story - Guitar/Percussion
Evan Greer - Drums
Todd Simon’s LA-Multi Big Band
The name perfectly says it all! Todd Simon’s LA-Multi Big Band is a vibrant mix of young jazz talent from Los Angeles high schools and colleges, all brought together with experienced cats from the scene. Todd Simon, who has been teaching music in NYC and (mostly) LA for 25 years, leads the ensemble in performing big band arrangements of global jazz and funk.
Alto Saxes - Joaquin Mendoza, Tracy Wannomae
Tenor Saxes - Randal Fisher, Kamayo Quizon
Baritone Sax - Ruby Simon
Trombones - Elizabeth Lea, Isaac Mollner, Fabio Santana de Souza, Kilan Thorns
Trumpets - Kenneth Brown II, Saxon Johnson, Giuliana Ranu, Royce Tikhonov
Piano - Mateo Arce, Kuma Enomoto, Abigail Strawn
Guitar - Keston Ashbridge
Bass - Emil Mitev, Layla Spence
Drums - Olivia Hauser, Franco Lim
Percussion - Daniel Alfaro, Kahlil Cummings and Andy O’Campo
DJ Nu-Mark
DJ Nu-Mark is a renowned producer, turntablist, and member of the legendary hip-hop group Jurassic 5. Widely recognized for his innovative approach to sampling and live performance, he blends hip-hop, funk, soul, and global sounds into dynamic DJ sets and productions. He launched early work connected to Kanye West, collaborated with artists like MF DOOM and Aloe Blacc, and released acclaimed solo projects including Broken Sunlight and Run For Cover. Nu-Mark has performed at major festivals such as Coachella and Glastonbury, judged global DJ competitions, and contributed to film and TV scoring, including Tom & Jerry and Drop The Mic. He remains a driving force in contemporary hip-hop culture.
This program is made possible in part by a grant from the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs and the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors through the Department of Arts and Culture.