Dele Sosimi (UK)

Dele Sosimi is a Nigerian-British musician, educator and afrobeat ambassador who has been a central figure on the global scene since settling in the UK in December 1995. He began his career as a teenager in Fela Kuti's band Egypt 80 and later formed Positive Force with childhood friend Femi Kuti - they toured and recorded worldwide in the late 1980s.

His music combines complex funk grooves, traditional Nigerian music, African percussion and jazz, driven by virtuoso keyboard playing and rhythmic vocals. He has performed at Montreux Jazz Festival, Mawazine Festival in Rabat, Ollin Khan in Mexico, South Korea and Copenhagen Jazz Festival. He was also afrobeat music consultant on the National Theatre's production of Fela! and performed regularly with pioneer Tony Allen.

Dele has collaborated with a wide range of artists: Estuary 21 (Get Cape, Wear Cape, Fly), electronic artists Medlar and Qness, the Afro-Latin band Cubafrobeat, Lokkhi Terra and Eparapo, led by DSAO bassist, composer and producer Suman Joshi. His discography includes the solo album "You No Fit Touch Am" and the new LP "The Confluence" with Estuary 21.

"A true master of the form." - Clash Magazine
"Dele Sosimi.. A total music legend!" - Cerys Matthews (BBC 6 Music)
"Organically shimmering with sun-lit horns and synth powered grooves." ★★★★ - Songlines Magazine