Artists

With Angolan parents and grandparents from Cape Verde, Brazil and Portugal, Aline Frazão was born and raised in Luanda. She debuted on stage aged only nine, since then learning to walk the paths of traditional Angolan and Cape Verdean music, Brazilian bossanova, Portuguese fado and jazz. Aged 15, she first read more

Singer, songwriter and musician, Ambasa Mandela, popularly known as Mandela, is renowned for his unique and powerful voice, the messages in his music, and his high energy performances. At its core, his music can be described as a blend of East African rhythms alongside benga, afrosoul and reggae.

read more

PolePole is a Tanzanian-Finnish duo founded in 1998 in Helsinki, who in Zanzibar will be joined by a special guest artist, percussionist Samuli Majamäki. Their music is dominated by the ten stringed kantele played solo by Arnold Chiwalala (also the composer, arranger, playing flute and lead vocals) or combined with read more

 Ashimba is a Tanzanian singer-songwriter and guitarist based in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. He released his debut album “Nuru Nyikani” (on Maisha Music label, produced by Jakob Poll) in January 2009.

His style is a combination of East African music, with elements of Afropop and acoustic music. In addition read more

Carol Atemi Oyungu is one of East Africa’s finest neo-soul vocalists. She began singing aged 10, and made her mark in the music scene with the all-girl group, Intu. In 2003 Atemi joined Kenyan sensation, Eric Wanaina, as vocal harmony provider for his band. Together with Eric read more

When born a Cissoko, one is a kora player. The Guinean Ba Cissoko perpetuates a more than centenary history. He is the last born of a long lineage of griots, master singers and agile string pluckers.

Ba Cissoko knows all the codes and secrets of tradition. He estimates its reach, for read more