Zebula Avenue


Based in Detroit, Michigan, Zebula Avenue® is a seven piece World Music Band, that writes and performs a global blend of traditional and modern melodies. Founded in 1996 and previously known as 47UMa, members of Zebula Avenue have received the following:

Detroit Music Awards 2008
• WINNER OUTSTANDING WORLD/REGGAE/SKA RECORDING (Life Will Be Fine)
Eight Additional Nominations including:
• OUTSTANDING WORLD ARTIST/GROUP
• OUTSTANDING WORLD/RAGGAE/SKA INSTRUMENTALISTS: MAHINDI MASAI (percussion) & GREG NANCE (bass)
• OUTSTANDING WORLD/RAGGAE/SKA SONGWRITERS: GAIL BAKER & MAUREEN HONORÉ
• OUTSTANDING WORLD/RAGGAE/SKA VOCALISTS: GAIL BAKER, MAUREEN HONORÉ & MAGGIE McCABE

Detroit Music Awards 2006 -- Six Nominations including:
• OUTSTANDING WORLD ARTIST/GROUP (Under the former name of 47UMa)
• OUTSTANDING WORLD/RAGGAE/SKA INSTRUMENTALISTS: MAHINDI MASAI (percussion) & GREG NANCE (bass)
• OUTSTANDING WORLD/RAGGAE/SKA SONGWRITER: GAIL BAKER
• OUTSTANDING WORLD/RAGGAE/SKA VOCALIST: MAUREEN HONORE & MAGGIE McCABE

Previous Awards and Nominations:
• 2004 Detroit Music Award Winner: Outstanding Vocalist World/Raggae/Ska Gail Baker
• 2004 Metro Detroit Songwriting Contest 3rd Place Winner: "HOLD ME" by Maureen Honore
• Members of Zebula Avenue have been chosen as Detroit Music Award nominees every year since 2001.

GAIL BAKER
Vocalist and Rhythm guitarist, has led the band since its inception. A member of the Kalamazoo, Michigan group Sweet Maya, Gail has performed on numerous national tours and received Billboard magazine's "Top Pick Hit of the Week".

MAUREEN HONORE
The signature vocal sound of Zebula Avenue is based on her four-octave range. A winner of Disney World's vocal contests, her talents also include award-winning songwriting that brings flavors of traditional Creole and Jazz influences into the mix of Zebula Avenue.

SANDY LOVELY
Providing the bed for the rhythms Sandy Lovely, veteran drummer from Detroit with his extensive repertoire of exotic beats gleaned from all over the globe. His performances are nuanced, solid, and playful, the very hallmarks of Zebula Avenue's sound.

MAHINDI MASAI
Percussionist, has traveled extensively throughout Africa on Diaspora and has performed and recorded with scores of traditional and world music organizations such as D.O.T.A.D. (Drums of the African Diaspora. Tarig Abunakar & the African Nubians, Fra Fra Sound, Mombasa, Shahida Nurullah, Bruce Cockburn, Donald Mayberry, Larry Nazero, Ras Kente, and many more.

MAGGIE McCABE
Following a path all her own is Maggie McCabe. Whose background draws upon the juxtaposition of the sounds of traditional Celtic music and the blues. With Maureen and Gail, Maggie completes the trio of female harmonies. Her Mandolin playing also adds a lifting sweetness to the world music beat. She has since left Zebula Avenue.

GREG NANCE
Bassist's Greg Nance's experience in Jazz fusion and R&B is a perfect compliment to Zebula Avenue's approach to making contemporary World Music. Greg's grooving and melodic bass work help lead the band's exploration of rhythms and harmonies to new horizons in world beat.

JAMES NIEMI
Member of the Ho-Chunk nation, James Browneagle Niemi, lead guitar work runs the gamut from feather light brush work touches to machine-gun overtures and haunting melodic phrasing. James' playing and vocals help infuse the band with a rock sensibility that gives Zebula Avenue a sense of place with one foot firmly rooted in the American experience.

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Last updated February 25, 2013.
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