Watussi

Watussi was a Sydney-based band that perform Afro-Colombian rock 'n' roots,[1] with lyrics mainly sung in Spanish.[2] The band's name is slang for "the most handsome man at the party".[3] Their album Tequila, Sangre y Fuego was nominated for the 2008 ARIA Award for Best World Music Album.[4] Lead by Colombian born singer songwriter and producer Oscar Jimenez.

Watussi
OriginSydney, Australia
GenresAfro-Colombian rock 'n' roots
Years active2005-2015
Websitehttps://watussimusic.bandcamp.com/
MembersMichael Brown: Flute and saxophone

In 2010 fresh back from a South American tour, Watussi began work on the next Album ‘El Olvido’with producer Joel Hamilton from New York. . From that recording we dropped the first single "Tu Te Vas" which featured up and coming hip hop artist Curren$y from the US and was also given airplay on RAGE. From that same recording they released the EP 1000% Handsome followed by the album El Olivido in October 2011.

Tony Hillier from 'the Australian' described the band as “No.1 Latin band in the land” Full article http://www.theaustralian.com.au/arts/music/el-olvido-watussi/story-fn9sulvf-1226181630779

2012 they collaborated with New Orleans legend Jon Cleary with whom they arranged recorded and released the tracks "Che Che Cole" (by Willie Colon's) and "Agua"

Watussi toured nationally and overseas and collaborated with artists such as Bobby Alu, Chasin the Sun,  Oka, ,Tijuana Kartel, Kingtide, Santana (USA), Earth Wind & Fire (USA), Pedrito Martinez Band (USA/Cuba), Seun Kuti & the Egypt 80 Band (Nigeria), Jon Cleary (USA)  and Novalima (Peru). Some of the bands highlights have been touring nationally with Santana, Womad New Zealand, Ibero pan Americano Festival in Colombia, The Ulsan Festival in South Korea, three successive appearances at Bluesfest (Byron Bay) and the Rainforest World Music Festival in Sarawak Borneo.

Since 2015 the band went into a hiatus when lead singer, Oscar Jimenez, relocated to Melbourne to live with his partner Katherine Gailer.

The band members continue to keep in touch and collaborate through new projects such as AMARU TRIBE (Oscar Jimenez), OYOBI (Vincent Sebastian), THE PROTESTERS (Michael Brown), THE STRIDES (Nick Garbett).


Members

Former members
  • Simon Olsen - guitar
  • Jared Kneale - drums

Discography
  • Tequila, Sangre y Fuego (2007) - Knowfoowl/Inertia[5]
  • 1000% Handsome EP (2011)
  • El Olvido (2011) - MGM[6]

References
  1. Syke, Lloyd Bradford (16 June 2010), "Watussi", Australian Stage
  2. Pompor, Paris (17 June 2011), "Spanish armada", Sydney Morning Herald
  3. Kaufman, Dan (28 August 2008), "Undie the influence", Sydney Morning Herald
  4. Kroslakova, Katarina (19 October 2008), "Ruling classic", Sun Herald
  5. Hillier, Tony (26 April 2008), "SPIN DOCTOR", The Australian
  6. Hillier, Tony (5 November 2011), "MUSIC REVIEWS", The Australian
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