TaraJazz is a band of musical explorers founded in 2017.

Tarajazz, Zanzibar. This exciting band of musical explorers is on mission, improvising, sharing and responding to new sounds. At the group’s core is jazz, live and uncompromising. This is a unique blend that brings elements of Zanzibar taarab with its Arabic, Africa and Eastern influences and rhythmical flavours from the deerse palette of Tanzanian musical traditions.

Originally founded by Suleiman Makame aka Man Sulei, a wizard on piano and keyboards, the group also features Hassan Mahenge (oud, Sax, Ngoma), Mahsin Basalama (Double Bass, percussion, vocal), Simon Richard (Drum), Abdallah Jaazi, Regina Juma and Nivea Ayoub (Vocal).

Together they bring to life fusions of Zanzibar’s taarab with its Arabic, African and Eastern influences and rhythmical flavors from the diverse palette of Tanzanian musical traditions.

Each of the band members has a rich track record with various Tanzanian music bands, however, they decided to join together as TaraJazz whilst teaching / studying at Zanzibar’s Dhow Countries Music Academy (DCMA).

Not many artistts on the island are as committed or disciplined. In between numerous other engagements the band is regularly meeting, rehearsing, experimenting and creating new material, which will never be showcased to the public until those perfect and magical moments are manifest in each of their composition.

The first major stage performance by TaraJazz was at Sauti za Busara 202, where their was literaly met with gasps of awe and astonishment. Since then the group has played extensively, at Jahazi Jazz Festival, Allaince Francaise Dar, Ongala Music Festival and various clubs and hotels across Tanzania.

The band is currently working on its debut album set to be released in december 2025.