Bio

Garnering a smattering of support from the media world like KEXP, KCRW, BBC6 Music, FIP, WDR Cosmo, Worldwide FM 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-Jazz group was founded by producer and bassist Yannick Nolting and Ghanian percussion legend and vocalist Eric Owusu in late 2020. They first met fortuitously at a playground with both their sons in Berlin early 2020 and soon after, realised they were onto something special. Speaking the same musical language, the two musical nomads quickly realised the fruitful outcome of their musical encounter. Digging deep into both their musical Backgrounds, they came up with a new and yet authentic vibe ready to be spread across the globe. 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 music scene with 70s Highlife and contemporary sounds from Ghana and its diaspora. The music of Jembaa Groove is as much influenced by the soulful rhythms and baritone chords of 70s black America as it is by highlife artists such as Ebo Taylor and Pat Thomas, with whom Eric has been touring and recording for many years.

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Line-up:

Eric Owusu (Ghana) - Vocals / Percussion

Yannick Nolting (Germany) - Bass / Musical Director

Tunde Alibaba (Benin) - Guitar

Merav Goldman (Israel) - Horn

Goncalo Mortagua (Portugal) - Sax

Moses Yoofee Vester (Germany/Ghana) - Keys

Nir Sabag (Israel) - Drums