The Inner City Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles (ICYOLA) will perform with the World music mega group Mandrill at the John Anson Ford Theater on Aug. 4.
Mandrill, featuring the Wilson brothers from Panama, has thrilled audiences the world over for more than three decades with its classic Funk, and fusion of R&B, Jazz, Rock, Latin, African and Caribbean music.
Special guests for the August show include Los Angeles’ own Lowrider Band, featuring original War band members and Grammy-winning songwriters of such hits as, “Cisco Kid,” “The World Is a Ghetto,” “Lowrider,” “Spill the Wine.”
Mandrill, who also performed with on stage with Duke Ellington, is one of the most sampled bands by the new generation of Hip Hop and Rap artists.
The Inner City Youth Orchestra string section will join in performances of the songs “Children of the Sun,” “House of Wood,” “Peace and Love Encounter, “and “Polk Street Carnival.”
The orchestra is made up of primarily African American young people ages 10-25, who come from various communities around the city. It provides educational and performance opportunities for members in some of the greatest venues of the world including its season-ending concert at the Disney Concert Hall in July. Within the last year, the orchestra has also performed at a private reception for first lady Michelle Obama, for the unveiling of the new memorial to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., for the Los Angeles Times Book Fair on the campus of USC, and other notable events.
At least 30 members of the string section will be on stage with Mandrill on Saturday night.
“This will be a lot of fun for us; for me,” said 17-year-old orchestra concertmaster Jordan Busa.
“I’m used to playing more traditional music for the violin in more traditional venues. But doing this gig and playing this music at the Ford will expand my experience and make me a more complete player. And it will be cool to be on this stage doing funky music! I am excited about this opportunity.”
Charles Dickerson is founder, music director and conductor of the Inner City Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles. Tickets are $35/ general, $24 for students with ID, and $12 for ages 12 and under and can be purchased at the amphitheater box office.
