The dynamic multi‑instrumentalist, producer, DJ, author, and musical innovator WENZL has released the uplifting single “Higher” with Nigerian singer-songwriter Sunkanmi.
Affectionately known as the Traffic Cone Sax Man to his millions of social media followers or as a founding member of the internationally acclaimed jazz-electronic fusion trio Moon Hooch, Wenzl McGowen is now shifting his focus to new solo projects.
“Higher,” a propulsive, genre-blurring dance track that seamlessly blends infectious Afrobeat rhythms, bold saxophone lines and uplifting energy, includes a standout vocal performance from a Nigerian singer-songwriter Sunkanmi. Capturing WENZL’s signature approach–pushing boundaries between electronic music, live instrumentation, and global influences to create something uniquely positive, physical and alive–the track is a celebration of rhythm, connection and creative freedom designed to move bodies while elevating the mood.
“This song has a funny story,” WENZL shares. “Nigerian artist Sunkanmi posted a sound bite months ago, Snoop Dogg reposted it, and my manager asked me to try to turn the initial recording into an EDM/Afrobeat track with a sax hook. When I started working on the song, which we called ‘Higher,’ I felt chills run down my spine. The saxophone melody I came up with sounded like nothing I ever wrote before…it felt like I was tapping into the vibe of a group of people that I hadn’t even met.
“Six months later 3Beat, a record label from the UK, picked up the song and flew me across the world to Lagos, Nigeria to meet the singer and her crew. Sunkanmi picked me up at the airport with a bunch of dancers and we immediately started throwing impromptu dance parties across town. Some areas looked pretty questionable, but as soon as we played our song even seemingly intimidating people would start to smile and dance. It was like nothing I ever experienced or could have expected!”
Best known as a founding member of Moon Hooch, Spanish-born WENZL rose to prominence through the group’s electrifying New York City subway busking origins and explosive live performances, blending jazz, dance music, and experimental sounds.
