Amazing artist Dawn Drake is an active musician in NYC’s eclectic music scene. She is a percussionist, bass player, singer, and composer/songwriter who leads the band ZapOte, a “Tropical Pop and Salsa Funk” ensemble that breaks down cultural barriers by incorporating everything from Cuban Timba, American Funk, and Brazilian Samba into a soul-shaking mix with her original lyrics that focus on love, empathy, environmental, economic, racial, gender and social justice themes and above all: unity. She studied percussion first in Ghana, then went on to pursue Afro-Cuban batá and conga drumming in Cuba and in NYC, as well as samba percussion in Brazil. She holds a Masters’s degree in Ethnomusicology and an MFA in Composition and Performance from the California Institute of the Arts. Currently, in addition to directing her band ZapOte, she also plays bass and congas with artists from around the globe. She is a Professor of Caribbean Music at John Jay College as well as a teaching artist and performer for the US Embassy, NYC public schools, and Brooklyn Arts Council focusing on programs that celebrate diversity, global rhythm, youth, and women’s empowerment through music. Dawn Drake has performed at The Kimmel Center in Philadelphia, the Frauenstimmen Festival in Switzerland, The Belize International Jazz Festival, a US Embassy-sponsored Arts Envoy tour in Belize, the Brooklyn Academy of Music’s Concert Series, HONK NYC Concert Series, and many others. Her latest album called Nightshade was released on November 1st, 2019, and was considered for a GRAMMY nomination in the category of Best Global Music Album. Following the release of her newest single “Thinking About You”, she projects a radiant sound that will certainly intrigue your ears. Beginning with tropical instrumentation leading onto her smooth and sweet vocals she captures the song fully. Explaining the track a bit further it was written in memoriam of those who have been lost to the global pandemic and other circumstances. It is a memorial to all of those who have transitioned before we were ready for them to go. To the vocals and production, this single will definitely have you dancing and possibly relating to the lyrics. Being just great for a drive during sunset or a day out on the beach. Go stream “Thinking About You” and check out her discography which is filled with outstanding music.
Socials:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedawndrake/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/dawndrake