Jembaa Groove

Garnering a smattering of support from the media world like KEXP, BBC6 Music, KCRW, Worldwide FM, FIP, RFI, Rinse FM, WDR Cosmo and enough stations round the world off the back of their debut Album 'Susuma', Jembaa Groove are causing a storm with their hybrid West African meets US soul & jazz sound.
The Berlin based Afro-Soul group was founded in late 2020 by Yannick Nolting (bass,producer) and Eric Owusu (vocals,percussion). They first met fortuitously at a Berlin playground with both their sons and soon after realised they were onto something special. After seeking for the right companions for the upcoming journey and stumbling on a few of Berlin's finest musicians, they finally formed Jembaa Groove, a 7-piece band that combines jazzy sounds from Berlin's uprising underground scene with traditional West-African sounds from Ghana, such as Highlife and Adowa.

The music of Jembaa Groove is as much influenced by the soulful rhythms and baritone chords of 70's black America and contemporary artists like Lee Fields and Ikebe Shakedown, as it is by highlife artists such as Ebo Taylor and Pat Thomas, with whom Eric has been touring and recording for many years. Playing some of the finest stages around Europe throughout the 2022 summer such as Fusion or Xjazz Festival they played an overwelming UK Tour in October 2022 after being invited by Cerys Matthews for a Live Session at BBC6 Music Studios in Maida Vale. Jembaa Groove will be part of the official selection of SXSW 2023 in Austin/USA and ESNS 2023 in Groningen/NL. New Music is in the making and the next releases are already scheduled.

„Their debut album is a groovy blend of traditional West African and highlife rhythms infused with classic jazz and soul touchpoints that's all complemented beautifully by Owusu's vocals.“ KEXP

„Legendary stuff!…sounding beautiful“ Cerys Matthews (BBC6 Music)

„They blend beautifully on a parade of chilled and catchy tracks. Bassist Yannick Nolting’s Arrangements are spot on. The Album would make any audiophile’s sound system sing. “
Songlines Magazine

“This Jembaa Groove is so good!” Coco Maria (Worldwide FM)

Line-up:
Eric Owusu (Ghana) – Vocals/Percussion
Yannick Nolting (Germany) – Bass/Bandleader
Moses Yoofee Vester (Germany/Ghana) – Keys
Babatunde Agonglo (Benin) – Guitar
Nir Sabag (Israel) – Drums
Merav Goldman Isreal) – Horn
Goncalo Mortagua (Portugal) – Sax

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