Dele Sosimi , the Nigerian-British Afrobeat Ambassador, Musician and Educator, has been at the heart of the global Afrobeat scene since relocating to the UK in December 1995. Having started his musical career with Fela’s Egypt 80 band in his teens, he then teamed up with childhood friend Fela’s son Femi Kuti (back in the late eighties) to kick start the Positive Force – touring, recording and performing worldwide. Over forty years later, he remains a tireless ambassador for the unique musical movement all over the world. His blend of complex funk grooves, traditional Nigerian music, African percussion and an underlying sense of jazz combines with his virtuoso keyboard skills and rhythmic singing to make him one of the most respected Afrobeat authorities of his era. Hackney-born and UK-based Dele has performed all over the planet, from the Montreux Jazz Festival to Mawazine Festival in Rabat Morrocco; Ollin Khan in Mexico, South Korea and the Copenhagen Jazz Festival to name a few. London’s Jazz Café has said before “we’re honoured that for so long we’ve been able to call Jazz Café the home of Dele’s seminal afrobeat orchestra.” Dele was also Afrobeat music consultant for the National Theatre’s production of Fela!, often performed with the late great Tony Allen. “The love and passion I have for composing, writing, performing and teaching Afrobeat Music is my main motivation,” says Dele, adding; “my aim is to build upon the rich heritage of music worldwide by creating opportunities for young people to learn. I want them to experience Afrobeat forms of music and music-making activities that will expand knowledge and broaden the horizons of the musicians young or old.” Support from The Joe Garland Band. Headed by guitarist Joe Garland, this talented group of young musicians from London perform boisterous, groovy jazz funk and fusion in the vein of the Yellowjackets, John Scofield and Tribal Tech. Joe is one of the most popular acts to have featured in the BEAT series and we are delighted to welcome him back with an 8-piece band made up of fellow graduates from London’s music academies.