Native Sons: Oakland Future Trio

 

We couldn't be prouder of Oakland Future Trio. Ari Carpenter (bass), Caleb Sankoh (piano), and Mikhi Woodley (drums) opened the Elevate Oakland benefit concert on  Feb.8 at the historic Fox Theatre with Westlake Middle School musician Gus Hurteau (vibes). A clip of their KTVU news interview with world renowned percussionist/singer Sheila E. played as the band took the stage. The band opened with Red Clay and ended with a freestyle featuring pianist and rapper Kev Choice to the delight of the crowd.

Ari, Caleb, and Mikhi formed OFT at the young age of 12; passionately honing their craft under the direction of their teacher Randy Porter, as members of the Westlake Jazz Combo.

Oakland Future Trio plays classical standards creatively infusing a unique timbre that could only be derived from being raised in the culturally and socially diverse metropolis of Oakland.

In the summer of 2013 Oakland Future Trio was featured in the Oakland Unified Public School District (OUSD) video I’m an Oakland School Kid, playing their instruments to the Rhianna inspired song.

Now 14 and 15, Oakland Future Trio performs once or twice a month at various venues around the Bay Area and has open rehearsals Sundays at Studio Grand in Oakland. They are currently working on original jazz compositions that intertwine electronica, bossa, and pop sounds. OFT also loves creating comedic parodies.

Click here to catch a glimpse of their stellar performance with Kev Choice, who is another one of Oakland's native sons.
*Photo credit Christopher Victorio/Post News Group