MANDRILL

MANDRILL is one of the world’s greatest musical treasures. This World Music, Funk, R&B, Rock, Latin, Jazz group was formed in the 70's by the Wilson Brothers, Lou, Ric “Doc”, and Carlos, a family of multi-instrumentalists, born in Panama, Central America and raised in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York. MANDRILL signed with Polydor and released their debut album in 1970, pioneering the Funk, Rock, Latin, Soul and Jazz fusion movement of the time.

Clearly one of the most important pioneers of World Music and one of Funk and R&B’s most progressive bands, MANDRILL remains a sunburst of musical energy that defies category and numerous contemporary artists have sampled their grooves.  Mandrill is one of the most sampled groups of today. Currently you can hear their music on songs by Kanye West, Black Eyed Peas, NAS, Tweet and Missy Elliot, Public Enemy, Shawty Lo, Big L, and Jin. Still touring the U.S. and internationally, their most recent project, MANDRILL “Live at the Montreux Jazz Festival “(DVD/CD), has received worldwide critical acclaim.

“Long a favorite among musical connoisseurs, MANDRILL’s music has shaped Rock and Roll history.” The Washington Afro-American, “MANDRILL: Musical Maestros” by Kenneth Mallory.

“As I view and listen to ABLESSING on www.mandrillis.com,   I am overwhelmed by the depth and magic of our recent "Hollywood Beach Clambake" encounter. Your spirits and pure, beautiful and boundless energies touched all of us so profoundly. Our Sunday was awash with comments and reflections of the magical Mandrill Family's visitation and transformation of our beach and festival into a joyous celebration much greater than we had ever hoped to create. You all truly embody and are surely High Ambassadors of the universal language of music, soul, love and peace (and funk!) and I personally, along with Eddy, and many others I am certain, will never be the same. Thank you doesn't even come close to what we'd like to send to you. Love, blessings and well wishes from our beach to your hearts with hopes for your continued success and many more musical and spiritual adventures ahead. May the desperately needed positive changes to the USA and the global community we all pray for come to full fruition with a new direction chosen this Nov. 3 and may Mandrill's road some day soon lead back to South Florida.” Holly Spillane, Hollywood Beach Clambake Festival

MANDRILL has a long history, from their very first album to the present, of humanitarian and environmental consciousness. The group is actively involved in a campaign that focuses on the preservation of our rain forests and the plight of its namesake, the mandrill (West African baboon) that is critically endangered due to habitat encroachment and poaching. In appreciation for their efforts they were invited to the Hannover, Germany Zoo and they continue to support Dr. Kathleen Cox, International Primate Specialist, at the Los Angeles Zoo as well as other wildlife societies throughout the world. MANDRILL also participated, with Aretha Franklin and other musicians, in the creation of a platinum album for the United Nations that raised funds for children and international refugees.

MANDRILL’s next album, Who Got Da Funk! will feature powerful original compositions and productions by the Wilson Brothers, innovators and composers of such classic hits as “Fencewalk,” “Mango Meat," “Ape Is High,” “Git It All,” “House of Wood,” and “Hang Loose”. Rounding out the vocal and instrumental presentation is brother Wilfredo Wilson, a long-time member, along with The One Sun Lion Ra and Jadiem, representing the next generation of the Wilson brothers. Collaborations with Public Enemy’s Chuck D, George Duke, Sekou Bunch, Gerald Albright, Spacey T, Wendisue Hall, Eli Brueggemann, Dwight Trible and other talented artists add to the musical tapestry of this soon-to-be released classic recording.

Special appreciation goes to current MANDRILL musicians Marc Rey, Arlan Schierbaum, Keith Barry, Michael Beholden, Gemi Taylor and Stacey Lamont Sydnor. We also acknowledge former members Claude “Coffee” Cave, Omar Mesa, Charlie Padro, Bundie Cenac, Fudgie “Kae” Solomon, Neftali Santiago, Dougie Rodriguez, Joaquin Jessup, Andre Locke, Tommy Trujillo, Eddie Summers, and Brian Allsop, for their outstanding contributions.

Finally, we are eternally grateful to MANDRILL’s Loyal Fans for their enduring support.

www.mandrillis.com      info@mandrillis.com
Wilson Bros Records 8306 Wilshire Blvd., Ste 261   Beverly Hills, CA 90211(323) 874-2923

Representative: Beto de Leon / Corazon Concerts
P.O Box 537
Santa Barbara, CA  93102
Tel: (805) 448-6428
e-mail: beto_de_leon@yahoo.com  or  beto@corazonconcerts.com
www.corazonconcerts.com

Discography

Mandrill	Mandrill Is	Composite Truth	Just Outside of Town
Mandrillland	Solid	Beast From the East	We Are One
New Worlds	Getting in the Mood	Energize	The Best of Mandrill
Rebirth	Fencewalk: The Anthology	Ultimate Collection	Sunshine
Peace & Love	Driving While Black or Brown	Mandrill Live @ Montreux 2002 CD	Mandrill Live @ Montreux 2002 DVD