Cymande

A foundational groove collective whose influence echoes across decades of Black Atlantic music returns to the stage with a sound that feels both timeless and newly alive. Cymande bring their pan-Afro, psychedelic soul-rock blend to Miami Beach, drawing on deep funk, jazz, calypso and reggae traditions shaped by Caribbean heritage and London’s 1970s underground.

After releasing a short run of visionary albums in the early 1970s, the group stepped away from the spotlight, even as their music quietly became part of hip-hop’s DNA. Tracks from Cymande’s catalog were later sampled by artists including De La Soul, The Fugees, Gang Starr and MC Solaar, cementing their legacy across generations. In recent years, the band has reunited to perform internationally and release new material that extends the spiritual and rhythmic language they established more than four decades ago.

The current lineup includes founding members Patrick Patterson and Steve Scipio, joined by longtime collaborators Adrian Reid and Raymond Simpson alongside newer members who carry the group’s evolving sound forward. An opening DJ set by Rich Medina sets the tone for the evening.

Cymande performs Wednesday, March 25 at 8 p.m. at the Miami Beach Bandshell, presented by the Rhythm Foundation.