Band Spotlight: Zongo Junction

By Shaun Leong, Saint Mary's High School

Zongo Junction is an afrobeat/rock/funk band that combines the classical sounds of trumpets and saxophones with the flare of light rock guitar chords and powerful ethnic drum beats.

The instruments are typical of any jazz or rock band, but Zongo Junction adds pizzazz with the traditional African flavor of a gourd instrument — a hollowed out fruit that comes in a variety of shapes and sizes and resonates sound. 

Although the band is based in Brooklyn, four members of Zongo Junction originate from Berkeley and are graduates from Berkeley High’s award-winning jazz program. Together this band of eight draws their audience to the dance floor, making the crowd move and groove to their unique beats.

At their recent show on Jan. 7 at , Zongo Junction did not disappoint. The floor was packed with fans eager to dance to the unorthodox rhythms as the crowd patiently waited for the set to begin. The songs meshed into a continous set, mixing all the sounds together and creating one gigantic dance party vibe.

Zongo Junction's newest song, “Tunnel War,” greatly highlighted the band's jazz section. The long trumpet and saxophone solos brought this new tune to life, showcasing the strong jazz roots of the band.

Towards the end of the seemingly short set, Zongo Junction played the crowd pleaser, “Shakra,” which pumped the crowd to leave on a high note. Some audience members were so into the vibe that they brought glow sticks to dance with and turned up the party atmosphere another notch. The crowd was ready to go, and not prepared to slow down anytime soon. The lively concert and dance party was well worth the $12 ticket, and Zongo Junction proved themselves a memorable live band.

Zongo Junction performs a number of shows in the Bay Area every year, as well as across the country. For more information visit www.zongojunction.net.

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