Dele Sosimi, the Nigerian-British Afrobeat Ambassador, Musician and Educator, has been at the heart of the global Afrobeat scene since relocating to the UK in December 1995. Having started his musical career with Fela's Egypt 80 band in his teens, he then teamed up with childhood friend Fela's son Femi Kuti (back in the late eighties) to kick start the Positive Force - touring, recording and performing worldwide. Over forty years later, he remains a tireless ambassador for the unique musical movement all over the world. His blend of complex funk grooves, traditional Nigerian music, African percussion and an underlying sense of jazz combines with his virtuoso keyboard skills and rhythmic singing to make him one of the most respected Afrobeat authorities of his era.
Hackney-born and UK-based Dele has performed all over the planet, from the Montreux Jazz Festival to Mawazine Festival in Rabat Morrocco; Ollin Khan in Mexico, South Korea and the Copenhagen Jazz Festival to name a few. London's Jazz Café has said before “we're honoured that for so long we've been able to call Jazz Café the home of Dele's seminal afrobeat orchestra.” Dele was also Afrobeat music consultant for the National Theatre's production of Fela!, often performed with the late great Tony Allen.
"The love and passion I have for composing, writing, performing and teaching Afrobeat Music is my main motivation," says Dele, adding; "my aim is to build upon the rich heritage of music worldwide by creating opportunities for young people to learn. I want them to experience Afrobeat forms of music and music-making activities that will expand knowledge and broaden the horizons of the musicians young or old."
For those of you who follow the ‘World’ Music scene in the UK, Justin Thurgur will also be a familiar face; through his long term collaborations with both the Afrobeat Maestro Dele Sosimi and with Kishon Khan, plus working with the likes of Afrobeat drum legend Tony Allen and Cuban giants Julito Padron and Giraldo Piloto, he has cemented a place at the forefront of that community.
Support from Pleco
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EVENT INFO
Doors open 7pm; Support 7:45 - 8:30pm ; Headline band 8:55 to 10:10pm
TICKETS
Tickets £18 General admission, £16 Guildford Jazz Members, £10 concessions +£1 booking fee
Please note this event is standing only, please let us know if you need seats
* concession tickets apply if you are in receipt of universal credit, income support or job seekers allowance, are registered disabled or are under 25
WHO'S PLAYING?
Dele Sosimi (keys and vocals)
Justin Thurgur (trombone and bv’s)
Suman Joshi (bass)
Afla Sackey (percussion and bv’s)
Kunle Olofinjana (drums and bv’s)
Support band - Pleco
A delicate fusion of influences ranging from Casiopea and Gentle Giant through to Stevie Wonder and Keith Mansfield, Guildford's very own six-headed jazz beast has been roaming the musical plains of Surrey since 2023. Featuring Ethan Celinski on drums, Will Good on saxophone, Michael Hain on bass, Caitlin Pittol-Neville on trombone, Joey Price on keys, and Jacob Treasure on guitar.
DIRECTIONS
The Boileroom,13 Stoke Fields, Guildford. Surrey, GU14LS
Click here for directions and parking