Embe Esti

Embe Esti is New York Capitol Region's premier intercontinental fusion band that mixes Afrobeat, North African and other global traditions with Rock, Funk, and Blues. Their songs combine message-based lyrics with the raw improvisation of Jazz and polished writing and performances to create original soulful dance music that will get your hands clapping and feet moving. 

The members of the group are all seasoned players with diverse interests and influences. Vocalist Taunya Hannibal-Williams (aka Lady T) is a classically trained flautist originally from Buffalo NY, and her vocals and songwriting can be heard in many bands with a wide range of styles including reggae, industrial, R&B, and neo-punk. Guitarist Scott Collins’ playing draws from a wide range of western and non-western music. Having earned degrees from Berklee College of Music and California Institute of the Arts, he has written multiple books, articles and blog posts on guitar, performed live improvised accompaniment for over a dozen silent films and toured nationally and internationally He was also a featured performer on the “God of War II” and “Trials Evolution” video games and provided shred guitar for an episode of the Cartoon Network’s Powerpuff Girls television series. Bassist Mike Dimin literally wrote the book on the art of solo bass, through his groundbreaking books, “The Art of Solo Bass” and “The Chordal Approach”, as a columnist for Bass Guitar Magazine (UK), Bassics, Bass Frontiers Magazines and as a guest columnist for Bass Player Magazine. Mike has been a featured TEDx performer, taught clinics and master classes and is an artist for Euphonic Audio, Phil Jones Bass, Boomerang Music, and DR Strings. Downbeat Magazine award winner, drummer Aaron Shields was born and raised in Albany NY, where he started playing drums at the tender age of 3.  From Jazz on Friday to Marching Band on Saturday and Church on Sunday, Aaron’s musicianship and versatility made him the perfect fit as the newest member of Embe Esti. Aaron was a member of the Schenectady County Community College’s Jazz Combo that won the prestigious  DownBeat Community College Jazz Combo Award.

Embe Esti has developed their unique sound after playing together for a relatively short period of time. Since forming in early 2017, the band has been building a regional audience and recently released an EP called, "Live in the 518!” The group is currently performing around New York and New England and working on material for a forthcoming recording.