Kit Downes, (whose quintet will be appearing in the London Jazz Festival at the Vortex on Tuesday 13th November) previews Fofoulah, appearing three nights later:

A gig that I hope to catch and would recommend to everyone and anyone is Fofoulah’s free gig starting at midnight at the Vortex on the 16th November (part of London’s jazz festival).

I have seen Fofoulah three times now and each time the whole room ends up dancing and going crazy (in a mellow way). They describe themselves as “blending modern African praise song with urban groove and sabar drumming” – I am no expert in this area of music at all, but what really appeals to me when I hear it is that I don’t think of it as a type of music from a particular part of the world, or even as different types mixing from different places – but as a language unique to the guys in the band that exists only when they play together. Rather than me trying to describe the music however – it is much better to just listen to it (links below). Needless to say I think its ace, and it will be an awesome gig if it like the others that I’ve seen.  It will also be perfect for the epic late-night hang that marks all good festivals.

Admission is free, doors open 11.30pm and Kevin Le Gendre will be DJing till 4.

Biram Seck – vocal

Phil Stevenson – guitar

Tom Challenger – tenor sax / keyboards

Johnny Brierley – bass

Kaw Secka – sabar

Dave Smith – drums

Fofoulah are on Bandcamp and  on Facebook