Dele Sosimi Afrobeat Quintet

In collaboration with the wildly popular Guildford Jazz BEAT series, the Boileroom will be hosting... DELE SOSIMI AFROBEAT QUINTET!

Dele Sosimi, a Nigerian-British Afrobeat musician, educator, and global ambassador, has been a pivotal figure in the Afrobeat scene for over 40 years. Beginning his career with Fela Kuti's Egypt 80 band as a teenager, he later co-founded Femi Kuti’s Positive Force in the late 1980s, establishing a foundation for his enduring influence in the genre. Sosimi blends complex funk grooves, traditional Nigerian rhythms, African percussion, and jazz, showcasing virtuoso keyboard skills and rhythmic singing.

Based in the UK, Sosimi has performed globally, gracing stages like the Montreux Jazz Festival, Mawazine Festival in Morocco, and London’s Jazz Café, which reveres him as a cornerstone of their Afrobeat offerings. His performances range from the full Dele Sosimi Afrobeat Orchestra (DSAO) to smaller ensembles like the Afrobeat Experience and semi-acoustic Sextet, showcasing versatility and authenticity. Sosimi also collaborates with artists across genres, including Medlar, Lokkhi Terra, and Eparapo.

A dedicated educator, Sosimi has taught at institutions like Rose Bruford College, Cardiff University, and Trinity Laban Conservatoire, where Fela Kuti once studied. Through his London School of Afrobeat, he conducts workshops and masterclasses, inspiring new generations to embrace Afrobeat and its rich heritage. He emphasizes empowering young musicians by providing dynamic learning opportunities.

Sosimi’s discography reflects his innovative spirit, including projects like the Cuban-Afro fusion Cubafrobeat with Lokkhi Terra, and his socio-political solo album You No Fit Touch Am. He has also co-written tracks for DSAO trombonist Justin Thurgur’s album and collaborated with longtime friend and bassist Femi Elias on earlier works such as Turbulent Times and Identity.