THE LIGHT RUNNERS

The Crescent Arts Centre are delighted to bring a night of reggae and roots from Africa & The Caribbean with the well-travelled Afro-Irish Reggae Band The Light Runners.



With a line-up that includes 4 African Musicians & vocalists The Light Runners cover many old favourites from the world of reggae music; Bob Marley, The Wailers, Peter Tosh, Max Romeo and Lucky Dube to name just a few.



The Light Runners were formed in 2014 by Cameroonian Lazare Mbouwouathe lead singer and frontman of the group who’s passionate and enigmatic performances have brought people of all ages to the dance floor. The lead singer with a number of Reggae bands for over 15 years in the Congo and Germany Lazzare is the band leader and driving force on stage.



Lead guitarist best known for his work with legendary Congolese Rumba bands OK Jazz and Zaiko Langa Langa as well as ‘Ireland's most travelled African band ’The Lace, Daniel Muyombo is a true powerhouse of the electric guitar, his African style guitar solos breathing new life into many reggae classics. Affectionately referred to as “6000 volts” by his bandmates, Daniel has been electrifying audiences across Ireland and Europe with his improvisational flair.



Daniel is joined on stage by his long-term friend and collaborator Oscar Fololo ‘Troca’ , also from Kinshasa, the capital of the D. R. Congo. Always 'the man at the back' Troca has played the drum kit behind Daniel for decades, performing at shows in countries across the world, his knowledge and experience makes him undoubtedly one of the top African kit drummers working in Ireland today.



Percussionist, Patrick Naughton has played alongside Daniel and Troca in a number of bands including Guadeloupian Gwoka band Pitak. Patrick has worked as a drum workshop facilitator for over 10 years and has a number of drumming groups set-up across Munster who regularly meet to practice and perform.



Saxophonist Olly Elscholtz is a music graduate from Northern Ireland and much in-demand as a live and session saxophonist. Olly has worked with many bands including The Cosmic Funk Band and Quangodelic Rhythm guitarist Mark Fenny is a Music Graduate of UCC and works as a private music teacher and facilitator. Mark has played at many venues all over the country with a variety of acts including a number of appearances at Electric picnic and performing on the Late Late Show with Paddy Dennehy and the Red Herring in March 2016.



Dave “the Groove Machine” Scanlan is a man with a background in funk and jazz and has performed with The Cosmic Funk Band along with countless jazz performances with many of Cork City’s top jazz artists. Dave is a melodic and captivating bass player who brings the smooth fretless groove of Jaco Pistorius and tight funk to reggae.



The line-up is completed with backing vocalist/dancer Benita Nsudila, also from the DRC.



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