JAJA MATSIMELA

Artist Information

Biography

JAJA MATSIMELA (prononounced jah jah mat see may lah - meaning Honored Roots). JaJa, as they are affectionately called by their fans, are one of the most innovative bands to appear on the east coast music scene. They consistently bring you the best and timeless elements of World Music. Uniquely blended to produce a fiery and soulful experience. One can very easily fall under the spell of these urban and traditional rhythms and melodies.
JaJa has brought their fiery live performance to college campuses, night clubs, concert halls and mass outdoor concerts, such as The Mellon Jazz Festival, The Bethlehem Music Festival, Penns Landing Music Festival, Willingboro Jazz Festival, Cape May Jazz Festival, Atlantic City Music Festival, The Trane Stop Jazz Series, The Clef Club, New York's Wetlands, Havana Club, Gonzales Y Gonzales night club, The Painted Bride Art Center, Africa Fete Music Tour, The Kimmel Center, World Cafe Live, The Mandell Theater at Drexel University, Temple University and Cuba Libre.
The thing that sets us apart from other bands is our ability to blend the varies musical genres into our sound. Some of our major influences are Mongo Santamaria, James Brown, Carlos Santana, Fela Kuti, Howl'n Wolf, John Lee Hooker, Miles, Dizzy & Trane, Steel Pulse, Peter Tosh & Bob Marley.

Instrumentation

Kwasi-congas,percussion & vocals
"Big Bill" Williams-sax, flute & vocals
Laurent "LB" Bass-sax & harmonica
Harry Rosario-bass & vocals
Jeff Johnson-drums & vocals
Isaac Castro-piano & vocals

Discography

New CD blues sauce 2009

Audio

• Bluessauce
  Listen  
• Moon Goddess
  Listen  
• Mojo Mona
  Listen  
• Blues Dub Soulja / spoken word
  Listen  
• Reggae Bluesman
  Listen  
• Una Bonita (inst)
  Listen  

Video

Photo Gallery

Press

• blues sauce CD
  

  Fantastic album great stuff for our radio station. Alex Pijnen BRTO RADIO Netherlands

• blues sauce CD [+ Show ]
  

  Brother Kwasi has assembled an exciting group of musicians, this mix of soul, latin, african, and ja...Brother Kwasi has assembled an exciting group of musicians, this mix of soul, latin, african, and jazz is so hot it could ignite a fire in the heaviest rain storm. Can not wait to interview and video you on "Jazz On My Mind" .com.
  
  Richard T Blackwell
  Jazz On My Mind .com

• NEW blues sauce CD [+ Show ]
  

  Thanks for sending this CD I really enjoyed this recording with its terrific fast and fiery Latin r...Thanks for sending this CD I really enjoyed this recording with its terrific fast and fiery Latin rhythms, it really bounced along at a great pace, and encapsulated what can be done when quality Musicians can blend music from different styles and influences and come up a terrific blend. Excellent compositions, arrangements, and production. Great work by all those involved. -John Reid Keith Community Radio 102.8FM Keith, Banffshire SCOTLAND

• Very Good CD [+ Show ]
  

  Very good CD reaction is very good, I'am still playing it now. Thanks again. - riddim master VIBES 9...Very good CD reaction is very good, I'am still playing it now. Thanks again. - riddim master VIBES 90.6- FM United Kingdom

• New CD blues sauce [+ Show ]
  

  An excellent album from beginning to end, with melodies in 6/8 as in Moon Goddess, with hot cha Cha ...An excellent album from beginning to end, with melodies in 6/8 as in Moon Goddess, with hot cha Cha Cha in the case of Blues Sauce (the best style of Poncho Sanchez) and alot more. Jaja Matsimela breathes African music of mixed roots of soul and latino. New Orleans in its most beautiful splendor. Sorry, what a shame that it will arrive so late. It could have been another of the candidates to win Best Latin Jazz Album 2009. They are the group Jaja Matsimela (Honored Roots) directed by the percussiont, composer and arranger Kwasi.
  

Setlist

Are sets consist of songs from our new CD and some covers.

Basic Requirements

Calendar