A Few Moments With Fantastic Negrito

Fantastic Negrito is coming back to Annapolis, and if his conversation ahead of the show is any indication, it won't be a quiet Sunday afternoon.

The three-time Grammy winner brings the Fantastic Negrito Quartet to Rams Head On Stage on Sunday, October 11, for a noon matinee. The smaller four-piece setup does not mean a smaller show. Negrito describes it as more intense, more dynamic, and carrying what he calls a bit of a "punk aesthetic," with the music moving freely through blues, funk, soul, rock and whatever else feels right in the moment. 

It's intense and beautiful and dynamic and soft when it needs to be and hard when it needs to be.

-Fantastic Negrito

In our conversation, Negrito talks about the remarkable second act of his career, why walking away from the music business ultimately gave him more freedom, and how winning the first NPR Tiny Desk Contest changed everything. He also explains why he values artistic independence, human connection, and live performance more than ever. 

That connection is exactly what he plans to bring to the intimate Rams Head room. Asked what the audience needs to do, his answer was simple: "The first thing is just show up. If you show up, the whole spot is gonna blow up." 

He also talks about his new live album, recorded without overdubs and built around what he calls a "pure emotional human connection," plus the artists he would most like to share a stage with—Robert Johnson, Nina Simone, and, for the encore, David Bowie. 

Fantastic Negrito Quartet performs Sunday, October 11, at noon at Rams Head On Stage, with doors opening at 11 a.m. And according to Negrito, coffee may be optional: "Don't even drink your coffee in that morning because the caffeine is gonna be on stage." 

Have a listen!

LINKS:

• Fantastic Negrito (Website)
• Fantastic Negrito (Facebook)
• Fantastic Negrito (YouTube)
• Fantastic Negrito (Instagram
• Fantastic Negrito (Spotify)
• Fantastic Negrito (Tickets)