DELE SOSIMI
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 Kuti'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. Dele was also Afrobeat music consultant for the National Theatre's production of Fela!, often performing with fellow-pioneer Tony Allen.
Dele’s pioneering musicality has also spawned collaborations with an impressive range of artists, including Estuary 21 (Get Cape, Wear Cape, Fly), electronic artists Medlar and Qness, the afro-latin Cubafrobeat, Lokkhi Terra, and Eparapo, led by DSAO bassist, composer and producer Suman Joshi. These collaborations have spawned an impressive discography, ranging from his solo album "You No Fit Touch Am" to the brand new LP ‘The Confluence’ with Estuary 21.
Press:
“Special… A really great new track he’s got out on Wah Wah 45s.” - Gilles Peterson (BBC 6 Music)
“Something special.. an exclusive first play of a brand new single from the Afrobeat legend Dele Sosimi.” - Jamie Cullum (BBC Radio 2)
“A true master of the form.” - Clash Magazine
“Dele Sosimi.. A total music legend!” - Cerys Matthews (BBC 6 Music)
“Organically shimmering with sun-lit horns and synth powered grooves.” ★★★★ - Songlines Magazine
Praise for ‘The Confluence LP’:
“Horn fanfares create a typically joyous Afrobeat sound but there are also intriguing experiments into downtempo grooves” -The Guardian
"Sosimi has distilled things into a form of bonsai Afrobeat... a terrific album by an impeccable band" - Songlines
“Informs fan of a fresh direction from his Afrobeat roots… at times eccentric, yet constantly a life-affirming record.” - World Treasures Music
Albums:
Turbulent Times (Eko Star) 2002,
Identity (Helico) 2007
You No Fit Touch Am (Wah Wah 45s) 2015
The Confluence (Wah Wah 45s) 2024
Dele Sosimi is available for live performance in the following formats:
Dele Sosimi Afrobeat Orchestra: 9 - 15 piece
Dele Sosimi Afrobeat Experience: 7 - 8 piece
Dele Sosimi Afrobeat Sextet, Quintet & Quartet
For bookings contact theo@woodburner.tv