Now we have finished the tour, I am not sure where to go from here. I am feeling slightly empty; a feeling of a space that awaits for more music; not just any music, but with great artistic musical expressions that radiate history of mankind, interactions and deliver joy and courage. These all come from the […]

It was 15th November, Friday, 1.30 pm. We were heading to Manchester RNCM; The Royal Northern College of Music. The gig was at 7.30 pm. That day we were missing Mina. The set list was slightly different comparing with other gigs so to accommodate Mina’s absence. He flew to Abu Dhabi the day before to […]

“Su Jamfata” Video Just listen to this my friends, the interlacing of instruments in the gentlest way possible. Watch with me the fingers of the musicians, I invite you to listen to the song till the end of it to be able to appreciate the divine beauty that bursts gently out of the music. People […]

I am driving to Marsden in 9 seater minibus full with musician and instruments, 7 km west of Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, and the view is divine. Marsden looks majestic between the curtains of drizzling rain in the valley where it spreads its eagle wings among. Tony gives me quick background info about the large village. […]

A reminder that these gigs are important for building a culture of acceptance and hospitality as we interchange our traditions and expose our values, ethics, ethos to each other. 20th October, Whitby, Musicport Festival 2019, We are at the Whitby Pavilion This post is for; 11th October, Birmingham, The Crossing Digbeth, Celebrating Sanctuary. I’d like […]

Rafiki Jazz offer a powerful response to the growing interest in unifying traditional instruments and cultural sounds with modern instruments and beats. Last year in August, we were at Lyth Art Centre, preparing and recording the album. Last Saturday on the 28th September we were in Bradford, at Kala Sangam Art Centre and this Friday […]

I am Ayse and I am Rafiki Jazz Up Close 2019 tour blogger. I will be with you during the tour and passing on my observations. They say I am a bit edgy and I hope you will like my voice. Come to celebrate with us and check out our live set on the 28th […]

Here are the photos of our gig and New Art Exchange on Thursday 18th of October. We had a lovely time with great audience. Artist Ayse Balkose reviews the band: The sound of the band is at an exciting level, mature, tight, and deep. Its complexity reflects as well balance sound for audience to appreciate individual musicians […]

Our #RafikiJazzUpClose audio co-producers Robin & Tony mixing & editing some vibrant new songs written & recorded during the Lyth Arts Centre UpClose residency in Caithness in July. We’re getting a couple of these new tracks ready for promoting the band at WOMEX later this month’.

The launch of our ‘Up Close’ project kicked off at the Festival of the Mind in Sheffield at Theatre Deli . We had a very excited morning with the team and looked forward to our gig in the evening. Here is the photo from one our wonderful singers Sarah Yaseen while we were preparing for our gig: The show […]