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Steffanie Christ’ian

Simone and Nadir: Life, Love and Music

Simone White is simply one of my favorite human beings on the planet. As we explain in this mini-series (it’s too long to call it an interview), he and I met on tour in the early 1990s and have been fast friends ever since. Even though we’ve always lived across the country or across the world from each other, we have carried on a 30 year musical conversation. Here we have a LONG verbal conversation about our journeys together and apart.

He’s far too humble to talk about himself, so I’ll give his resume… he’s a producer, multi-instrumentalist, teacher and drummer who has supplied the backbeat for Michael Franti and Spearhead, Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy, Afro-Mystik, George Clinton, Mark Eitzel, Sakia and more. Since moving to Australia Simone does a lot of remote session work for people like Carl McIntosh of Loose Ends, 05Ric, and a guy named Nadir Omowale. Here we talk about my life and his life in a way that only two old friends can speak. We had fun… and we hope you enjoy it…

Bonus Drinking Game: Take a shot every time Nadir says, “you know”.

SoulTracks.com: First Listen: Nadir funks it up with a message on “Blue Lights”

We’ve had an awesome response to “Blue Lights” so far, and here’s a beautiful example. SoulTracks.com the biggest soul music site on the planet, offered Nadir’s new funk single to their audience as a First Listen. Check it out:

SoulTracks.com says:  Working For the Man, J. Nadir Omowale’s 2008 polemical album dropped like a bomb into the political, military and economic upheavals taking place in that year. The urgent and powerful funk of the title track pretty much captured the feelings of every working man and woman at a time when the economy was in free fall, mainly due to the greed and incompetence of the people at the top. The rocking Detroit funk man came back in 2012 with the very good, though less overtly political The Book of Jonah, and in the year 2017, Nadir has returned.

A lot transpired – particularly in the fraught relationship between law enforcement and minority communities – between 2012 and 2017, and Nadir has something to say.

READ MORE HERE

 

Michigan Mega Jam at Fifth Third Michigan State Fair Celebrates Michigan Music

What an incredible event this was! The breadth and depth of talent in this state is unsurpassed! Those who attended heard an awesome array of Michigan music from Jackie Wilson to the White Stripes, from Stevie Wonder to J Dilla, from Mitch Ryder to Brainstorm, as well as a host of magnificent new compositions. Like the State Fair itself, this was a celebration of the best Michigan has to offer. Continue reading

Detroit Free Press: For Detroit musician Nadir, it ‘all comes from the funk’

Nadir_Nader_door-ENT-IMG-7733Originally published in the Detroit Free Press

The multifaceted music of Nadir Omowale is rooted in funk, but it always expands. It takes on the vibes of soul, R&B, rock, dance-pop and mashes it into a diverse blend that’s built on emotion: celebratory sing-alongs, cathartic, guitar-heavy head-bangers and poignant ballads bared with thought-provoking social commentary.

READ MORE HERE

 

NADIR OMOWALE – The Right Kind Of Crazy – BUY NOW

Nadir Omowale returns with a scathing, purple tinged, post-Hendrix funk rocker. “She might be out of her mind, but she’s The Right Kind Of Crazy”. Continue reading

1st Annual Michigan Mega Jam at the Michigan State Fair

So much talent!! It was an honor and a privilege to work with the best of the best for the First Annual Fifth Third Bank Michigan State Fair Michigan Mega Jam on Labor Day, September 7, 2015. This amazing assemblage of performers gave it their all to demonstrate the high quality of musical talent that we have in this state. Strong performances of original material and favorites by Michigan artists and songwriters from many genres emphasized the strength of our musical heritage and its musical present and future. I’m so proud! Thanks to everyone who participated and attended!

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Performers at the 1st Annual Fifth Third Bank Michigan State Fair Michigan Mega Jam!

 — (left to right) Thornetta Davis-Anderson, Caleb Gutierrez, Jill JackDezi Magby (aka DJ Psycho of the Detroit Techno Militia), Steffanie Christi’an, Brandon Calhoon,Alison Albrecht, Yorg Kerasiotis, Brett Lucas, Nadir Omowale, Chris Codish, James Simonson, Sean BlackmanTosha Owens and Todd Glass.

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© Nadir Omowale