Artists

Taarab music has defined Zanzibar's aural landscape for over a century, renowned for its lush mix of Arabic and western instruments, diva-worthy vocalizations, and allusive Swahili lyrics. The venerable and syncretic form is ambitiously renewed by Rajab Suleiman & Kithara. This lean and nimble group has uncovered the form's read more

Born Patrick Enos Lukhachi Nanjero, in Nairobi on 8 October 1980, Ricky is a bassist, arranger and a bass instructor. He comes from a family of eight with four brothers and three sisters. A few years ago Ricky began his solo career by forming a five-piece band called the Marafiki, read more

From the Casamance region of Senegal, Sana Cissokho was born into a Mandinka traditional family of jalis or griots, where he learned to play kora with his parents Lamine Cissokho and Ndeye Diongtang Diabaté. He grew up with the Mandé people and received in-depth training in these rich cultural traditions.

Sana’s read more

Sanaa Taarab was born in 1983, after the then Zanzibar Ballet group stopped its activities. In its early years the group managed to perform by borrowing equipment from Culture Musical Club, with whom they have a long and positive relationship. Currently the group has twenty artists who are employed by read more

Sandra Nankoma is a singer-songwriter and graduate of fine arts from Uganda. Her distinctive vocals cover jazz, soul music and ballads with a unique identity that breaks codes and pushes boundaries.

In 2017, Nankoma was awarded Best Artist, Africa and the Caribbean by the Visa Pour la Creation project. This led read more

It was under the guidance of his uncle Solo Cissokho (see Ellika & Solo; Sauti za Busara Festival 2007) that Seckou Keita launched his international career in 1996, with appearances at Norway's Forde Festival, in a collaboration with Cuban, Indian and Scandinavian musicians.

In following years, Keita relocated to UK, while read more