Through this new and exciting CD release entitled American Trails, guitarist/vocalist Pascal Bokar, Father of the “AfroBlueGrazz” sound, makes a resounding musical statement regarding the unique nature of the multi-cultural expressions and legacies of West African heritage and African American traditions through the Blues.
American Trails, the new blues-based CD by virtuoso guitarist/vocalist Pascal Bokar, connects the American musical traditions of the South with the original 4-string instrument from Mali West Africa, Ngoni or banjo and the West African balafon (ancestor of the xylophone) in a powerful rhythmic and multi-sonic, contemporary gumbo that one has yet to discover.
American Trails deepens Pascal Bokar’s exploration of the blues in his “AfroBlueGrazz” concept with an opening ear-popping version of blues great Otis Spann’s composition, “The Blues Don’t Like Nobody,” in a duet with vocalist Paula Harris and some blistering scat/guitar singing.
The first track of the album is followed by the sultry ballad, “I Wanna See You in My Dreams,” also featuring Paula Harris. The funky, grooving “I Can Tell,” introducing the West African balafon (ancestor of the xylophone) and the banjo, is a hard-pulsing number that is sure to get everybody dancing, reuniting the old sonic landscape of the American South in a contemporary blues and call and response format. “Your Smile Inside My Nights” projects Pascal’s mellow baritone vocals in a light, syncopated and dance pulse followed by the hard-hitting blues instrumental “Let It Groove, All Night Long.” The album American Trails closes with “Everytime I See You There,“ featuring Pascal Bokar’s fast and delirious guitar work, which sums up this upbeat release that will delight audiences of all ages and tastes.
Pascal Bokar previous recording, Guitar Balafonics, was selected by Downbeat Magazine as one of the “Best CDs of 2015,” and received a 4-star review. Pascal Bokar’s 2017 CD, American Shores, in the “AfroBlueGrazz” style coined by the album’s producer Greg Landau, was an ambitious fusion of textures and styles that comes from Bokar’s unique cultural perspective and paved the way for the newest CD, American Trails.
Notable musicians on American Shores and American Trails include: fiddler Blaine Sprouse (Bill Monroe, Alabama), bassist Tony Saunders (Eric Clapton, David Crosby, Gospel Hawkins Family), keyboardists Steve Carter (George Benson, Bobby Womack), Nate Ginsberg (Herbie Hancock, Larry Graham), percussionist Idrissa Gueye (Doudou Ndiaye Rose, Ballets of Senegal).
American Trails is distributed nationally and worldwide by the SUGO Music Group of Half Moon Bay, CA, USA and Savanna Jazz Records.
Booking: Denise McNair Email Tel: 530-788-2962
Radio Promotions USA: Lisa Reedy Promotions Email or alt Email Tel: 775-826-0755
PR USA, United Kingdom and Europe: MegaBuzz Music Promotions:
Liam Gareth Email Liam Tel: 518-414-3315
Distribution: SUGO Music Group, Half Moon Bay, CA Email
