Based in Asheville, North Carolina, the Afromotive has become known as a “must see” band on the strength of powerhouse shows that blend horn-heavy Afrobeat with old school deep funk in a way that would make the ghosts of James Brown and Fela Kuti smileand dance. The band is led by singer and master drummer Adama Dembele, a 33rd-generation djembe player from the Ivory Coast who has performed with Salif Keita, Oumou Sangare and many others, giving Afromotive an authentic West African Afrobeat base upon which his American bandmates have built a polyrhythmic, multicultural dance party that adds touches of funk, jazz and improvisation to the African roots. In addition to Dembele, the Afromotive includes Tyler Cates (guitar), Jesse Howerton (keyboards) Brian Jones (drums), Ryan Knowles (saxophones and vocals), Ryan Reardon (bass and vocals) and Sean Smith (trumpet). The Afromotive has toured extensively, performing at Bonnaroo and other major music festivals, and has released one album, Scare Tactics.