One of Gambia’s favourite sons, Yusupha Ngum, leads an all-star line up to deliver an Afro odyssey of jazz, blues and funk fusion that leaves audiences elevated and captivated.

As the son of highly acclaimed musician, and griot, Musa Affia Ngum - who was legendary in the Mbalax style - Yusupha carries the torch of tradition, embodying the griot legacy and spirit of the ancestors, in a contemporary style of music. With soaring vocals, Yusupha is able to freely express and convey the messages of his songs in all languages he speaks.

In 2009, Yusupha won the award for the ‘Most Radio Played Artist Male’ category at the Gamspirit Music Awards, and in 2015, was nominated for both the ‘Best Mbalax Artist’ and ‘Best Traditional Artist’ categories of the Purely Gambian Entertainment Awards.

Introduced to Melbourne with his band Jaaleekaayy Music Group, with fellow Gambain instrumentalist, Amadou Suso (kora) and local guitar legend Steve Berry (Kev Carmody, Shane Howard, Robyn Archer). The group went on to play at Woodford Folk Festival, Port Fairy Folk Festival, Birds Basement, Fairbridge and National Folk Festival, Blue Mountains Music Festival and to standing ovations at Mullum Music Festival. More recently Yusupha and band have wowed audiences at Brunswick Music Festival, the Sidney Myer Music Bowl Live Sessions, Castlemaine Jazz Festival and Healesville Festival to name a few.

Having released music with several bands, the Affia Band recorded ‘Gainde’, an anthem to celebrate the Senegal team’s qualification into the 2018 FIFA World Cup. The song quickly gained popularity and was picked up by radio throughout Africa. They are currently engaged in the creation of a new body of work that will be unveiled later in 2023.

The sound is a melting pot of Afro flavours peppered with traditional elements, jazz, funk and bought together beautifully with world class musicianship.

This is an act that is ready for the world stage.