Mwenso & The Shakes are an irrepressible musical force- part Sun Ra, James Brown, Kid Creole, Fats Wallers, and something alien altogether. Led by Sierra Leone born, London-raised, and New York-based front man and ring leader, Michael Mwenso, who the New York Times calls “a fervid vocalist and full-bore entertainer”, Mwenso & The Shakes take a past meets future meets distant future approach to jazz. As Mwenso states, “You’re getting a generation of holistic musicians who love Louis Armstrong just as much as Woody Shaw, Sidney Bechet as much as Ornette Coleman.