BRATTLEBORO — On Saturday, Jan. 23, at 118 Elliot Street, starting at 7:30 p.m., there will be an evening of music donated by Simba, southern Vermont's worldbeat dance band.
This event will benefit Brooks Mitchell of South Newfane, who was seriously injured in a motorcycle accident on Sept. 7, 2015. His motorcycle was hit by a car that turned into oncoming traffic on Route 9 in Wilmington.
Brooks' injuries are many and his recovery has been slow but steady. He has been out of work for more than three months. As a self-employed plumbing and heating specialist, he has already lost a lot of income due to this tragedy, and it is still unknown when and if he will be able to return to work. He has applied for disability, and he has been told that the wait will be at least 6-to-12 months before he knows if he has been approved.
Started in 1989, Simba's eight members work throughout the New England area as soloists, accompanying other artists and doing recording work.
The band has evolved into a high-energy dance band, drawing upon African, reggae, Caribbean, Latin, jazz, and funk influences to create their own unique and vibrant sound. Simba features several multi-instrumentalists allowing their sound to range from guitar/horn section funk to Caribbean steel drum, from West African balafon grooves and hand percussion to jazz sextet and even Klezmer orchestra.