PUTNEY, Vt. – Next Stage Arts’ Bandwagon Summer Series concludes on Saturday, Sept. 26, with Kotoko Brass, at Putney Inn Field, 57 Putney Landing Road. The all-ages outdoor concert begins at 3 p.m.; gates open at 2 p.m.
Kotoko Brass delivers an electrifying, cross-cultural sound that bridges continents and traditions. Blending the intricate rhythms of central Ghanaian drumming with Caribbean bass and keys and the exuberant punch of New Orleans-style horns, the band creates what the Boston Globe calls “propulsive, infectious party music.”
Formed by brothers Ben and Brian Paulding, Kotoko Brass brings together master Ghanaian percussionists Attah Poku and Kwame Ofori with a powerhouse rhythm and horn section. Rooted in the Asante tradition, where rhythm and dance are inseparable, the ensemble creates performances that invite audiences to feel the music as much as hear it.
With a growing reputation across New England, Kotoko Brass has built a following through high-energy shows that get crowds moving. Drawing on the members’ diverse backgrounds and experiences, the group transforms tradition into something vibrant, contemporary, and deeply communal.
Tickets are discounted if purchased online in advance; children younger than 12 are admitted free. Food will be available from Saffron Restaurant, along with onsite refreshments and a bar. Audience members are encouraged to bring a picnic, blanket, or folding chair. A dedicated play area will be available for children.
The Bandwagon Summer Series is a family-friendly outdoor cultural performance series running from June through September, featuring music, puppetry, and circus arts at ballfields, farms, and parks throughout Putney, Brattleboro, and Bellows Falls.
This performance is sponsored in part by The Richards Group and is part of Next Stage’s Local & Global Series, made possible by a 2026 Music in Action grant from Live Music Society. The Bandwagon Summer Series is sponsored in part by M&T Bank, Lawson’s Finest Liquids, Brattleboro Reformer, The Commons, and Landmark College.
For tickets and more information, visit www.nextstagearts.org.