Music Travel Guide

Etuk Ubong is without a doubt one of the most electrifying trumpet players in Africa.

Seun Kuti himself called him ‘one of the best things to come out of Lagos,’ and it’s easy to see why. Etuk picked up the trumpet at 14 and hasn’t looked back since.

What sets him apart is his fusion of Afrobeat, Highlife, Jazz, and the traditional drumming of the Ekombi, creating his signature sound, 'Earth Music.' It’s a captivating mix of spiritual, high-energy, and deeply moving rhythms.

I had the chance to sit down with Etuk before his set at the Dürchluften Festival 2024 and our conversation was nothing short of inspiring.

We dove into his musical influences, deep connection to Fela Kuti, jazz studies at the University of Cape Town, and how he crafted his unique genre: Earth Music.

We also touched on the importance of documenting your journey online, and Etuk had some incredible insights to share on that. Chatting with him was a spiritual experience, and I hope you'll feel the same listening to the episode. 🎧

What stood out to you most?

Let's talk about today's episode:
 
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Join our Online Music Networking Event on Tuesday, September 24 at 7 pm CET!

I'd love to invite you to our Music Networking Event! The event is the perfect opportunity for you to connect with other artists &musicians worldwide. 

It's a chance to share your ideas and discuss various aspects of your musical realm, such as upcoming releases or shows, exciting music discoveries, ongoing projects, seeking feedback/discussing your major challenges.

Get ready for a session filled with great exchanges. 🙂

To join the session, access the Zoom link 👉🏻 HERE. 

PS. Make sure to add the event to your calendar.

I can't wait to see you!

Bia Ferreira, a Brazilian singer, composer, and multi-instrumentalist, stands out for her innovative approach to combining Afrodiasporic rhythms – like soul, R&B, reggae and rap – with Brazilian music – such as samba and repente. 

She is known for her straightforward lyrics addressing important topics like necropolitics, racial quotas, anti-racism, women's rights, LGBTQIAP+ rights, and affection. 

She's been also one of the strongest "voices" against Jair Bolsonaro inside and outside Brazil. Her shows are full of music, love and speeches.

I catch up with Bia before her show at Dürchluften Festival 2024.

In our conversation, we talked about her musical influences, why she focuses on making political music, her debut album Igreja Lesbiteriana, Um Chamado, and all things sharing powerful messages through music.

Absolutely a spiritual time chatting with her!

I hope you will enjoy the experience. 🎧

What was your biggest takeaway from today's episode?

Let's talk about today's episode:
 
👉🏻 Let's connect on Instagram
 
👉🏻 Drop me a note at [email protected]

Join our upcoming Online Q&A Session w/ Skyline Sun!
 
I want to extend an invitation for you to join us in an exciting live Q&A session on August 27 at 7 pm (CEST) with Australian-born, Berlin-based guitarist, musician and producer Jarrah Dhyan aka Skyline Sun.

During this session, Jarrah will discuss all the aspects and respond to your questions on Getting Featured on Spotify Playlists and Media Coverage through his experience releasing his very first album Dichotomy.

Get ready for a session filled with inspiration and exchange!

To join the session, sign up for our Club Membership today 👉🏻 HERE.

Natalie Greffel is a versatile Mozambican-Danish singer, bassist, composer, and passionate advocate for the arts.

In addition to his work as a musician, she serves as a curator for XJAZZ! FESTIVAL, curating an eclectic lineup of performances, workshops, and special events showcasing contemporary jazz while honouring its rich cultural heritage.

In our conversation, we talked about her multicultural background influencing her musical journey, the music and the politics and the culture behind Jazz addressing social and political issues and her role at XJAZZ! sharing useful advice and personal reflections about getting booked at Festivals.

Getting the chance to meet Natalie was a fantastic opportunity for me to delve into the importance of understanding more about the true nature of jazz. Specifically, I learned about its African roots that continue to shape its music in the present day.

Natalie, being a passionate individual dedicated to promoting cultural exchange, shared her passion for all things Jazz music with great enthusiasm.

I hope you will enjoy it the same way I did! 🎧

What was your biggest takeaway from today's episode?

Let's talk about today's episode:
 
👉🏻 Let's connect on Instagram
 
👉🏻 Drop me a note at [email protected]

Join our upcoming Online Q&A Session w/ Skyline Sun!
 
I want to extend an invitation for you to join us in an exciting live Q&A session on August 27 at 7 pm (CEST) with Australian-born, Berlin-based guitarist, musician and producer Jarrah Dhyan aka Skyline Sun.

During this session, Jarrah will discuss all the aspects and respond to your questions on Getting Featured on Spotify Playlists and Media Coverage through his experience releasing his very first album Dichotomy.

Get ready for a session filled with inspiration and exchange!

To join the session, sign up for our Club Membership today 👉🏻 HERE.

EXCERPT - I've made public a snippet of our recent live Q&A session within our Club Membership with Berlin-based Hungarian musician and producer Szabolcs Bognar aka Àbáse.

In this excerpt, Àbáse discussed the behind-the-scenes process and inspirations of his new album 'Awakening', as well as his personal views and experience in promoting the album release.

I am grateful for this lively and deep exchange we had with Szabolcs as he shared such important topics including cultivating a growth mindset in the age of social media and clearing your mind of worries before performing live.

What was your most valuable takeaway from today's episode?

👉🏻 Let's connect on Instagram I love hearing from you!

Want to hear the full discussion?

The conversation is now available on-demand in our Club Membership online platform. If you're interested, sign up for our Club Membership today HERE.

EXCERPT - I've made public a snippet of our recent live Q&A session within our Club Membership with drummer, percussionist and producer from São Paulo, Brazil, Vitor Cabral.

In this session, we covered a wide range of topics including Samba rhythms from Brazil, shining a spotlight on talented Brazilian artists who deserve more recognition, and all things the creative process.

One particular highlight that stood out to me was when Vitor stressed the importance of studying different musical traditions as a means to uncover fresh ideas that can ignite creativity in your work. What are your thoughts on this? How do you personally stay creative as an artist?

👉🏻 Let's connect on Instagram I love hearing from you!

Interested in hearing the full conversation?

The full conversation is now available on-demand in our Club Membership online platform. If you're interested, sign up for our Club Membership today HERE.

Join our upcoming Online Music Networking Event!

Mark your calendars for May 28 at 7 pm (CET).

I'd like to extend an invitation to you for a Music Networking Event. The event is the perfect opportunity for you to connect with other artists and enthusiasts worldwide.

It's a chance to share your ideas and discuss various aspects of your musical realm, such as upcoming music releases or shows, exciting music discoveries, ongoing projects, seeking feedback/discussing your major challenges.

To join, click here to get the Zoom link.

I can't wait to meet you!

Odd Okoddo is a duo from Kenya and Germany, comprised of Olith Ratego and Sven Kacirek. The two artists crossed paths in Kenya around ten years ago when Sven Kacirek was working on his album "Kenya Sessions," which gained him recognition as a global producer.

In 2018, they officially formed the project ODD OKODDO, combining their diverse talents seamlessly. Together, they create an energetic and vibrant sound that showcases Ratego's impressive vocal range and variety of tones alongside Kacirek's exceptional percussion skills. Olith Ratego specializes in singing in a musical style known as "dodo," originating from the shores of Lake Victoria in Kenya.

This traditional female singing style is widely popular among Luo communities. In our discussion, we delved into Olith's deep passion for music from a young age, the significant influence of Tabu Osusa (a passionate Afro-Fusion producer who discovered him), the encounter with Sven, and various aspects of Dodo music in addition to their debut album Auma which was launched in 2019.

It's been such a fantastic chance to meet Olith and Seven, truly extraordinary individuals.
Olith has this incredible talent for crafting musical instruments that bring joy and inspiration to others. I encourage you to listen and immerse yourself in the wonderful sonic journey they create! 🎧

Let's talk about today's episode:

👉🏻 Let's connect on Instagram

👉🏻 Drop me a note at [email protected]

I love hearing from you!

Join our upcoming Online Q&A Session w/ Vitor Cabral!

I want to extend an invitation for you to join us in an exciting live Q&A session on May 7th at 7 pm. Our special guest will be Vitor Cabral, a talented drummer, percussionist, and producer hailing from São Paulo, Brazil. 

During the session, Vitor will guide us through the fascinating musical traditions of Brazil. He'll also be answering all of your burning questions about his creative process as an independent artist. To take part in this exclusive event, sign up for our Club Membership today HERE.

Ma Nu is a renowned DJ in the underground scene of northern Italy, and he has gained recognition as one of the resident artists at the prestigious Jazz Re:Found Festival. 🎷

Additionally, Ma Nu plays a vital role in Riviera Gang Crew, an influential organization that has been leading the electric clubbing scene in north-western Italy for several years.

In our conversation, we talked about "Liguria Transatlantica," a vinyl collection that focuses entirely on a unique Italian Jazz scene found in Liguria, which is located in the northwest region of Italy. This area has a special connection to South American and Brazilian jazz, not only musically but also lyrically.

The compilation and his "music migrations" ideas have also evolved into a festival known as "Transatlantica," held in Genova, the capital city of Liguria.

Meeting Ma Nu was a wonderful opportunity to explore a musical movement that deserves attention, shedding light on the inspiring link between Italian music traditions and black music.

Take pleasure in listening! 🎧

Want to talk about today's episode with a community of music enthusiasts?

Join our Club Membership today 👉🏻 by starting your 7-DAY FREE TRIAL and connect with artists, musicians and black music lovers from all around the world.

I asked Ma Nu to compile a list of tracks to describe the Bossa Ligure Sound.

There it is 👉🏻 enjoy listening HERE!

Eve Risser, a talented performer, composer, and arranger from France, is the founder of The Red Desert Orchestra. This ensemble comprises nine skilled European musicians and was founded by Risser herself.

The group focuses on two main programs: Kogoba Basigui and Eurythmia. Kogoba Basigui originated from collaborating with seven (now six) Malian musicians based in Bamako (Kaladjula Band). In comparison, Eurythmia involves the collaboration of the Red Desert Orchestra with three Burkinabe musicians residing in France.

Within this framework, Eve Risser showcases her skills and talent by fusing European orchestral sounds, free jazz, and the vibrant musical heritage of Mali to guide you through a spiritual journey inspired by her work with Nainy Diabaté.

Our chat covered numerous fascinating facets of the Red Desert Orchestra. We started with Eve's reflections on the JazzFest performance, her connection to African and Malian music, and the challenges of managing a music project that bridges African and French influences, both musically and sociologically. To finish, Eve shared insights into her significant sources of inspiration drawn from Malian music.

Meeting Eve was a wonderful opportunity to explore a powerful ensemble with the primary goal of positively impacting the world. Take pleasure in listening! 🎧

Let's talk about today's episode:

👉🏻 Let's connect on Instagram

👉🏻 Drop me a note at [email protected]

I love hearing from you!

Interested in participating in our upcoming Online Community Event?

I want to invite you to participate in our online gathering next Tuesday at 7 pm. We'll be delving into our monthly topic: the impact of Social Media on the Music Industry.

This is a fantastic chance to explore how social media influences artist promotion and other significant roles in today's online landscape. To participate, sign up for our Club Membership today and enjoy a 7-day FREE trial by clicking HERE.

Nicola Conte, a talented Italian DJ, producer, guitarist, and bandleader, has gained recognition for his distinctive contributions to the acid jazz genre. Growing up in the charming city of Bari in southern Italy, he always had a deep passion for expressing himself through music.

Inspired by his journeys to London and influenced by what was happening between jazz and clubs in the UK with people like Paul Murphy and Gilles Peterson, Nicola embarked on a mission to cultivate an alternative cultural scene by putting on parties with other forward-thinking DJs and musicians within Bari.

This led him to establish the renowned Fez Club - a vibrant space where individuals could fully immerse themselves in an entirely new world inspired by London's dynamic cultural landscape. In doing so, Nicola laid the groundwork for what would become known as the Italian acid jazz movement. Through his creativity and musical prowess, Nicola has left an indelible mark on the industry while continuing to captivate audiences worldwide with his unique soundscapes.

I'm highly grateful for having the chance to sit down with Nicola, as he also shared advice on spreading culture by studying music and great insights for aspiring DJs and musicians who want to express themselves through music. Enjoy listening! 🎧

Curious to know about our Club Membership?

By joining the Music Travel Guide Club, you open up to exciting community events and broaden your music knowledge through our guest speaker's insights.

Join the CLUB MEMBERSHIP HERE! 👈🏻

Alogte Oho is the number one Frafra gospel artist from within the vibrant music scene of Bolgatanga in Northern Ghana. Bolgatanga and its environs are the birthplace of most of the musicians in Frafra country and, thus, the cultural epicentre of northern Ghana.

At thirteen, Oho joined the church choir, deeply impressed by its energy and spirituality, and gained his first experience of professional studio recordings. In 2013, Oho met German producer Max Weissenfeldt, with whom he recorded the internationally acclaimed album 'Mam Yinne Wa'. (2013)

In today's episode, I Oho and Max Weissenweldt will take you on a journey to what Frafra Gospel really is, the story of their first meeting in Ghana, and the inspirations behind their latest works; above all, 'O Yinne!' (Album, 2023).

Having the chance to meet Oho and Max was an absolute delight. It provided a valuable opportunity to gain insight into a scene I genuinely hope will flourish and make its mark globally. Enjoy listening! 🎧

Curious to know about our Club Membership?

By joining the Music Travel Guide Club, you open up to exciting community events and broaden your music knowledge through our guest speaker's insights.

You can learn more and join the CLUB MEMBERSHIP HERE. 👈🏻