Jembaa Groove

Infused by fundamental elements of Ghanian Highlife from the 70s Jembaa Groove has its own take on a number of influences that goes far beyond just trying to imitated the greats that came before. The band consists of former band members of Tony Allen, Ebo Taylor, Pat Thomas and Orlando Julius. Playing and recording with these legends of Highlife and Afrobeat for decades surely shaped their perception of sound.

With their rousing and energetic live performances they have made themselves a name throughout Europe and beyond. While carrying the audience through a mix of tight arrangements and spontaneous improvisation you better be around when Jembaa Groove takes off to groove and lets you float through a variety of dreamy hornlines, stirring guitars and celestial vocals. Being a mix of members of African and European descend hailing from different corners of the planet Jembaa Groove blend a melting pot of influences that melt into what they say is a contemporary take on Highlife, Jazz and Soul.

The band represents their very own and new sound which they consider is ever evolving as going through life in a progressive way means having your eyes and ears open to everything happening around you at any time. Rich in ancestral flows from Accra, to Berlin and London, powered by deep, conga led rhythms and seductive warm horn riffs. Jembaa Groove, with new album Ye Ankasa | We Ourselves, are coming to Simplon to remind us that jazz, in its contemporary, soulful form is not just a London ‘ting’.