PHOENIX AFROBEAT ORCHESTRA

JANUARY 15, 2026

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PHOENIX AFROBEAT ORCHESTRA (PAO!) proudly carries the musical and social torch that was first lit by the powerful duo of Fela Kuti and Tony Allen, original inventors of the Afrobeat sound in Lagos, Nigeria, in West Africa. Led by funky heiress Camille Sledge, the 16-strong orchestra is composed of the most ambitious and outrageous musicians in Phoenix today. Beginning with a strict repertoire of classic Afrobeat music, PAO! has now penned an abundance of original material that melds the eclectic heritage of the ensemble with that classic Afrobeat style.

From concert halls to music festivals, fashion shows to fundraisers, PAO! has shared the stage with George Clinton and The Roots, as well as Bombino, Vieux Farka Touré, Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars, Orgone, Dengue Fever, Turkuaz, Sudan Archives, The Dip, and Los Esplifs, and more.

THE SUNFLOWER KING

FEBRUARY 19, 2026

The Sunflower King (Ashton Vaughn Charles) is a Premier International Destination Event Saxophonist who is passionate about any and every form of expressive artistry. Whether he’s performing on stage in front of thousands, in intimate spaces for small groups, or creating/recording music in his studio, The Sunflower King is known best for expressing himself through multiple genres of music, ranging from Neo-Soul, R&B, and Jazz, to Hip-Hop, Afrobeat, Metal, and more.

THE HOURGLASS CATS

MARCH 19, 2026

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Sonoran outfit The Hourglass Cats are a desert rock-n-roll, reggae, and hip-hop collective based out of Phoenix, Arizona. Known for their high-energy live shows, relentless gigging schedule, and recording and performing all their music in 432 Hz, The Hourglass Cats find their true uniqueness in their ability to effortlessly blend multiple genres to create a sound smoothie that is very unique to the Sonoran desert they call home.