Chicago's Occidental Brothers Dance Band Int'l blend of high-energy soukous, rootsy Ghananian Highlife, and African Jazz, both conjures the sound of the golden age of the African guitar band and pushes the music into new worlds of sound. Founded in Chicago by American-born musicians, the group has included former members of Ghanaian supergroup Western Diamonds, TPOK Jazz, and Congolese legend Samba Mapangala. They celebrate twenty years of music-making with their latest record, Likambo Te.

The group's guitarist and leader, Nathaniel Braddock, has traveled extensively in West and Central Africa, and also leads the Accra Quartet, Trio Mokili, and Maison Électronique. He is joined on alto saxophonist by co-founder, Greg Ward, and on bass by Joshua Ramos. At the head of the stage is Ghanaian singer and trumpeter, Kofi Cromwell—known as “the Black Trumpet” for his performances with Teddy Afro.  And the group frequently also works with Zambian roots artist, Mathew Tembo. The group has worked with a circle of incredible drummers over the years, including Ghanaian master percussionist, Asamoah Rambo, and Makaya McCraven.

In 2023, the group performed as a quartet in a large scale dance piece choreographed by the Brooklyn-based Ugandan-American choreographer, Edisa Weeks. 3 Rites Happiness premiered in New York City, presented by 651 Arts and the Weeksville Heritage Center.

The Occidental Brothers have energized festival stages in Europe and North America, including Poland’s Made In Chicago 2017, Chicago World Music Festival 2016, Chicago Jazz Fest 2011, Nijmegen Music Meeting NL 2010, Moers Fest DE 2010, Ottawa Bluesfest 2010, Toronto AfroFest 2010, GlobalFest 2009, the Montreal and Vancouver Jazz Festivals 2009, the Kennedy Center, Lincoln Center, and Pitchfork 2008.