Feast for the Ears

Intrepid local promoter Michael Kaufer is following up on the recent World Music Festival in Ojai’s Libbey Bowl with an ambitious program called “African Village,” also at the bowl. The eight-hour mini-festival, held at the John Anson Ford Theater in L.A. last weekend, focuses on music but includes African storytelling, food and regalia to create a movable-village atmosphere.

The musical fare offers a strong sampling of African and African-influenced sounds.

Headlining will be veteran bandleader Chief Stephen Osita Osadebe, a reigning hero of Nigerian “high life” music. Afro-Cuban music is the domain of Ricardo Lemvo and band Makina Loca, and the Brazilian contingent is represented by Lula and Afro Brazil. Also on the bill, from the west African tradition, is the all-female a cappella group Adaawe.

“African Village” promises to be an enriching feast of sounds, not to mention fuel for dancing feet.

* “African Village,” at the Libbey Bowl in Ojai, 2-10 p.m. Saturday. Tickets are $17.50 in advance, $20 at the gate; 646-7230.

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Best of the West: It’s a big week in a big season for the Music Academy of the West, celebrating its 50th anniversary this summer. Two prominent musicians, each with a distinctly different approach to classical music, will be in town.

Saturday, as part of a series of orchestral concerts, Bobby McFerrin shows up in his latest role as conductor, after having made impressive inroads in the jazz, pop and vocal circles.

On Tuesday, Thomas Hampson, one of the best-known baritones in the music world and a proud alum of the academy, will perform. Hampson studied with the late legendary baritone Martial Singher at the Music Academy in 1978 and ’79 and went on to accolades in the opera world.

He received a Distinguished Alumni Award in 1994 and is this summer’s Visiting Alumni Artist in Voice. In recital, his program will include music by Schubert, Mahler, Leonard Bernstein and Ned Rorem.

McFerrin’s musical career has been multidirectional. An adroit vocalist who first came to attention in the jazz world in the early ‘80s, he branched out, won a Grammy for his cheeky hit “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” and has led the acclaimed vocal ensemble Voicestra. He returned to jazz with last year’s album “Bang Zoom” (Blue Note).

Last year, he was also featured as conductor of the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra on an album of Mozart music featuring pianist Chick Corea, for Sony.

On Saturday, McFerrin will lead a program of mostly American music, from Bernstein’s Overture to “Candide” and Gershwin’s “An American in Paris,” with Bizet’s first Symphony thrown in for good measure. But perhaps the most enticing part of the program will be when McFerrin takes the stage for an a capella vocal improvisation.

* Bobby McFerrin conducts the Music Academy Festival Orchestra at 8 p.m. Saturday ($23); Thomas Hampson performs at 8 p.m. Tuesday ($35-$50). Lobero Theatre, 33 E. Canon Perdido St. in Santa Barbara. 963-0761.

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Sons of Pioneers: Drummer Gerry Gibbs and saxophonist Ravi Coltrane have something in common: Both have famous fathers--Gibbs is offspring of celebrated vibist Terry Gibbs, and Coltrane is the son of the late tenor saxophone titan John Coltrane. They also share a strong musical purpose, as heard on the fiery album “The Thrasher,” by the Gerry Gibbs Sextet featuring Coltrane, released last year on the Qwest label.

The Gibbs-Coltrane Quartet will play Sunday through Tuesday at the Santa Barbara Jazz Hall. The group performed at the Jazz Hall last year, just before the release of their album, inspiring a wave of positive critical response.

Gibbs, who wrote all the original material on the album, proves to have a natural instinct as a composer and a grasp of the idiomatic options of ‘90s jazz. These jazz young-bloods are on the right track, rather than the fast track.

* Gerry Gibbs and Ravi Coltrane Quartet, Sunday-Tuesday at Jazz Hall, 29 E. Victoria St., Santa Barbara, 8:30 and 10:30 p.m. $15; 963-0404.