Ethiopia to Morocco: The Leeben Tinos Trio + Innov Gnawa, with DJ Modrums

Under The Grass Roof + Cara Bella + Modrums present: Summer music series in the Bunna Backyard!

Just a few days away from Ethiopian New Year, we are so so happy to present the PREMIERE performance of habesha virtuoso Leeben Tinos' first group in the USA! He will be on our stage with Moroccan Gnawa masters Innov Gnawa. DJing us in and out is our very own Modrums. You know him!!

What can we say about Leeben. This young pianist is perhaps the most exciting Ethiopian artist to plant roots in NYC in many many years. Coming from a well known music industry family, Leeben has been pursuing his musical talents since age 5. Originally classically trained, he picked up jazz at the age of 14, and has since performed with Ethio-jazz greats in Addis Ababa -- including with our beloved family at Fendika -- and now blends his classical training with Ethiopian and modern jazz influences to create unique, original compositions.

His first band in NYC will feature Leeben on keys, Adam Turay on bass, and, you guessed it, Morgan Greenstreet (aka Modrums!) on percussion.

Innov Gnawa is a New York City-based Grammy-nominated music group led by Ma’alem Hassan Ben Jaafer. The title Ma’alem, meaning master, denotes Ben Jaafer’s ancestral heritage of the musical tradition, which was passed down generationally within his family in Morocco. As the spiritual elder of the ensemble, he plays the three-stringed African bass, also known as a guembri. Ben Jaafer is accompanied by Amino Belyamani and Nawfal Atiq, along with a brotherhood of guest musicians, all playing the qraqeb, metal castanets whose staccato sound is said to represent the shackles and chains of slaves. Often referred to as “Sufi Blues,” Gnawa is ritual trance music invoking saints and spirits for liberation. Like Blues music from the American South, Gnawa is treasured throughout Morocco for its soulfulness.

We are so happy to bring gnawa music back to Bunna Cafe, for the first time in over 7 years. This is guaranteed to be a lively and electric evening in our backyard. DO NOT MISS!!

We are super grateful for our drink sponsors:

VEDA MUSHROOM LIQUEUR (@vedamushroom) - this wild, fragrant shiitake-based concoction. rich on umami, 20% alcohol, we made a cocktail with it!

DIRTY WATER (@dirtywaterhardseltzer) - You know 'em by now! A crisp NYC-based hard seltzer. Low calorie, no added sugar, pear-base, super refreshing. Just $5 on show days, get it with a shot for $7!

ROSALUNA MEZCAL (@rosaluna) - Literally the smoothest Mezcal we have ever tried. The 1st Additive-Free Mezcal ever, Gluten-Free, Non-GMO, Vegan, Kosher, 0 Carb, & USDA Organic. New cocktail coming? Yep!

$20 in advance or at the door. Come early for Brunch. Backyard opens at 4. Coffee ceremony at 5. Leeben Tinos at 6. Innov Gnawa at 7:30. DJ's after.

Music at Bunna Cafe,

/// Under The Grass Roof \\\