Home » Canboulay Music Festival 2025

We are excited to invite you to our highly anticipated

Canboulay Music Festival!

This event is held outdoors on our lawn.

Bring your setups like Ravinia.
(Lawn chairs, umbrellas, coolers, food/drink are encouraged)

ABOUT CANBOULAY

Canboulay Music Festival is a one-day outdoor celebration held during Juneteenth weekend, honoring the rich cultural heritage of the African diaspora through music, dance, food, and crafts. Hosted on the campus of West Point School of Music (1233 W. 109th Place, Chicago, IL), the inaugural festival centers African drumming traditions rooted in African American and Afro-Caribbean culture.

Headlined by Chicago’s Own Epic Steel Orchestra, the festival will feature live performances from artists across Chicago, along with a Small Business Marketplace and a Taste of Diaspora food hall spotlighting local small business vendors.

Inspired by the legacy of emancipation, the event connects Caribbean and American freedom narratives through the soul of rhythmic music. Join us in celebrating the joy, struggle, and resilience that have defined Black communities for centuries.

FESTIVAL LINEUP

ABOUT THE ARTISTS

DJ Clive Phinn

Clive Phinn is more than just a DJ—he’s a musical architect, crafting unforgettable experiences through sound. As a seasoned musician, songwriter, and producer, Clive brings depth, emotion, and authenticity to every set. Whether he’s spinning tracks at a packed wedding dance floor, setting the mood at a high-end corporate event, or curating vibes for an intimate private party, Clive’s signature is always the same: soul.

With years of experience and a deep love for music across genres, DJ Clive Phinn is known for his seamless blends, intuitive song selection, and ability to read the room like no other. From timeless classics to modern grooves, his sets are tailored to each event—bringing energy, elegance, and a personal touch that resonates long after the last song plays.

But Clive’s artistry doesn’t stop at the decks. As a songwriter and producer, he creates music that’s heartfelt and honest—infused with the same passion he brings to the stage. “Bringing soul to the music, and putting my soul in the music” isn’t just a tagline—it’s the essence of everything he does.

Whether you’re planning a once-in-a-lifetime celebration or a polished corporate affair, DJ Clive Phinn is your go-to for a soundtrack that’s as elevated as it is unforgettable.

Socardio
Socardio is a dance, fitness and entertainment company that fuses soca music with cardio and is inspired by African and Caribbean culture and the spirit of carnival. Our segment includes choreography, insight on the history of carnival and crowd participation. We create an atmosphere that is fun, vibrant and all inclusive!

Chicago State University Community Jazz Band
Chicago State University Community Jazz Band was started in 1992 by Professor Roxanne Stevenson as an answer to the need for music reading sessions for local musicians. The Community Concert and Jazz Bands began with five musicians playing their major instruments for one ensemble and their secondary instruments for the other. The two ensembles have had over 400 members of all ages and have performed hundreds of selections from standard and contemporary repertoire. The Jazz band performed at the historic Milt Trenier’s nightclub, CSU Jazz Night Café, Jazz in the Grass, Jazz on the Hill, Orchestra Hall, graduations, galas and basketball games. The band has presented clinics and performances at the Illinois Music Education Association All-State Conference, Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic, Jazz Education Network Conference, Hyde Park Jazz Festival, Hyde Park Courtyard Festival, Woodson Library Reopening, Macy’s Black History Month Celebration, NAMN Centennial Conference and many band festivals. The ensemble celebrates 33 years of service to the 158-year-old CSU community.

Jenipher Jones (The Jenipher Jones Experiment)

Jenipher N. Jones, a proud native of Chicago’s Englewood, is a versatile vocalist skilled in Gospel, Jazz, and Classical music. Having traversed the globe, she’s been privileged to share her musical gift and conduct vocal workshops worldwide including Italy. In May 2012, Jenipher released her debut EP, “STRONGER,” and has graced stages in productions like “The Color Purple Broadway Musical,” “The Mahalia Jackson Story,” and more. Notably, she released the single “Reset” in May 2017. Jenipher is currently lead singer and owner of the Jenipher Jones experiment. Jenipher, recognizing divine favor, lives her life in gratitude, imparting the wisdom that trials forge strength and resilience, making one “STRONGER.”

Doso LIVE!

From Chicago’s east side comes Doso, a dynamic rapper and singer known for his electrifying performances and unique blend of rhythm and emotion. With three releases—”[Extended]” (2018), “Opus Two” (2021), and “Safe Travels” (2023)—Doso has captivated audiences and earned acclaim from Lyrical Lemonade and the Chicago Reader. With over 250,000 views on his hit “Fridge (All I Did),” Doso connects deeply with his audience.

Doso’s shows, enhanced by his band Doso LIVE, are a fusion of raw energy and authenticity. Whether through spirited performances or intimate moments, Doso’s storytelling and charisma make him a standout artist in hip-hop.

HEADLINER

Epic Steel Orchestra

Epic Steel began in 2010 playing the indigenous steel drums of Trinidad & Tobago, West Indies. This energetic group is committed to performing calypso, the genre of music that gave birth to the steel drums in its native Trinidad. The Epic Steel performers bring pleasantry and accessibility to this complex musical style and they demonstrate great flexibility and musical chops as they engage soca, reggae, latin, jazz, marches, classical, and contemporary music.

The group has been described as “every bit the match in stage presence and technique” as that of well-known performing concert bands. They demonstrate the infectious and intricate beats of Calypso and the subtlety that is possible in performing Rimsky-Korsakov’s “Flight of the Bumblebee”.

This coming June, Epic Steel will bring their vibrant sound to the Canboulay Music Festival, where they will perform a dynamic set showcasing the full spectrum of their musical range. The festival appearance marks another exciting milestone in their ongoing mission to celebrate and share the culture of steel pan music with audiences far and wide.