Shango Afrobeat Orchestra pumps up OLS

Shango, the 20-plus-member orchestra dedicated to playing Afrobeat music, was founded by percussionist, keyboardist, dancer, composer and arranger Jonny Peiffer two years ago. Last Friday night, most of the band filled the stage at One Longfellow Square and turned the intimate venue into an indoor street party. The tables and chairs were pushed back to make room for the band that makes people dance.

In addition to Peiffer, who played congas and conducted in a red hoody, Shango had Stu Dias (lead vocals), Mike Effenberger (keys), Brett Gallo (drumset), Eben Hearn (percussion), Nick Phaneuf (bass), Jon McCormack and Jonathan Paul (guitars), Zach Lange and Colin Mainella (trumpets), Brian Paulding (trombone), Matt Langley (tenor sax), and Eric Klaxton (alto sax). Liz Fowler, Emily Bowes and Marie Richey provided backup vocals and danced in the crowd to get the gang going.