Hélélé

Friday 27th November Hélélé *Makossa, Bikutsi & Afro-jazz dance grooves, inspired by the Bantu Forest of West-Cenral Africa.* \+ More Doors Open 7.30pm The Jam Jar Inspired by the rhythms of the Bantu Forest of West Africa, Alphonse Daudet Touna from Cameroon formed the band to ‘*enrich and share his music with the world*’. At an early age, he started playing the drums at traditional village ceremonies where he developed his talent as a composer, performer and teacher. The haunting vocals, sung in his own tribal language ‘Bassa’, send messages of peace and hope. Alphonse plays the balafon (African marimba) he made himself – adding an exotic and original sound to the music. With influences from Makossa to Bikutsi – the grooves are guaranteed to exhilarate audiences. The band – composed of some of Bristol’s finest session musicians, has headlined at festivals and major venues across the UK and supported well known artists such as Hugh Masekela and Eliades Ochoa of the Buena Vista Social Club. Performances include Glastonbury (Jazz Lounge), Shambala, Marlborough Jazz Festival and London’s South Bank Centre. Hélélé is made up of Ron Phelan (bass), Greg White (Drums), Dino (tenor sax) and Neil Smith (lead guitar). In the ten years since its formation Hélélé have had a number of achievements under their belt including two studio albums Sanglana and Mawanda along with numerous shows at Glastonbury Festival, Shambala Festival, and at two world famous music venues; London Southbank Centre & Bristol Colston Hall. They’ve also supported artist such as; Cuban Eliades Ochoa of the Buena Vista Social Club and South African Jazz trumpeter Hugh Masekela.