West African Music Gets The Highlife Into Healdsburg

By Christian Kallen

Healdsburg Patch

The 2013 Tuesday Concerts in the Plaza series got off to a high-step start with the West African Highlife Band, veteran East Bay performers who bring the rhythm and joy of music from their homeland to the stage.

Featuring veteran performer Ken Okulolo, the band of five made the Healdsburg Plaza their own local fan base with two hours of percolating guitar, pounding rhythm and talking drum. African music might seem a stretch for the Tuesday night crowd of 500 or so picnickers and passersby, but it didn't take long for the infectious music to do its job and get everyone on their feet. 

It was the first Tuesday Concert in the Plaza for 2013, and gave great portent for the future. Next week is Healdsburg Jazz Festival's annual entry, the Roger Glenn Latin Jazz Ensemble.