We recently spoke with Jeff Franca briefly on his recent run with Thievery Corporation at Red Rocks, his project Congo Sanchez, and his upcoming show TONIGHT (May 20th) at Gypsy Sally’s in Washington, DC. Tickets are available for purchase here. RSVP on Facebook here.
You just played at Red Rocks with Thievery Corporation for your 20 year anniversary, could you tell us what makes that venue so special to you?
Red Rocks makes you feel like you are playing on another planet.. So much musical family in colarado gathering in one place to lose their minds for minute.. It’s special
You’ve also been touring pretty extensively as Congo Sanchez featuring you on drums/percussion/DJ, MC flex Mathews, and vocalist Haile Supreme. Could you tell us about this project? Also, for those not familiar with the DC scene could you tell us how you came to know them?
Congo Sanchez has evolved into high energy non stop dance party.. The show, Led by Flex And Haile, takes on a life of its own once it gets started.. Next thing you know 2 hours has gone by and everybody is drenched in sweat.. We get possessed and that translates To the crowd.
Flex and I have played together for years starting with my old band Mojai.. Haile approached me at the lounge when I used to play with See I and we decided from there to work together. The rest is history.
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When were you contacted about Everyone Orchestra gig, when have you played with any of these artists before? Which artists on the bill have you never collaborated with onstage? What are you most looking forward to about play with them?
Everyone Orchestra is a super fun experience. I had the pleasure of playing with them on Jam Cruise and it was like 90 minutes went by in the blink of an eye.
I have Jammed with Shmeens and Johnny but everybody else will be a first time experience with me.
I’m most looking forward to the unknown.See where start where end up and what happens in between.. It’s all improv so that’s a big part of the allure.
What sort of approach will you and Johnny take to playing together?
Tomorrow I will be on percussion and electronic dub with my sampler. Johnny and I will just hold the pocket and lay the ground work for these kick ass musicians to work with.
