Berlin-based Jembaa Groove comes to Leeds with an infectious combination of highlife, Afrosoul, jazz and contemporary Afro-fusion at Belgrave Music Hall.
Presented by Super Friendz and DJ Lubi, the concert marks the opening of Jembaa Groove’s 2026 European tour and follows the band’s well-received Leeds appearance at Howard Assembly Room in 2025.
The group’s music reflects a meeting of West African and international influences. Traditional and contemporary highlife provide an important foundation, alongside jazz, soul and the continually evolving sound of modern Afrobeats.
For their latest material, Jembaa Groove have been deepening their connection with the music scene in Lagos, working with Nigerian highlife revivalists The Cavemen.
Their new work also brings together musicians from different parts of the African diaspora, with contributions involving acclaimed Malian artist Fatoumata Diawara, Nigerian singer Tim Lyre and London-based soul musician Azekel.
That collaborative approach reflects what has made highlife such an enduring and adaptable musical tradition.
Originating in West Africa, particularly Ghana and Nigeria, highlife developed through encounters between traditional African rhythms and instruments and influences including jazz, brass-band music and later funk and soul.
Jembaa Groove take that history into a contemporary setting, combining strong percussion, horn arrangements, melodic bass lines and soulful vocals.
Their 2026 tour follows several album releases on Berlin’s Agogo Records and the release of their latest EP, Be A Lover.
Taking place during Black History Month, their Leeds performance offers an opportunity to experience African music not as a historical artefact but as a vibrant, international and continually developing creative force.
For lovers of highlife, Afrobeats, jazz, funk and soul, Jembaa Groove promises one of the most energetic African music nights in Leeds this October.
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