GRUPO LOKITO
Grupo Lokito creates a modern-day cocktail of two of the great worlds of music; Fusing blistering contemporary Congolese grooves with the fire of Cuban music. The results have audiences dancing in a haze of energy.
The glorious melodious vocals of Congolese front men Eugene Makuta and Iddo Donnatella blends with soaring guitars courtesy of Congolese guitar hero Mbokalia ‘Burkina Faso’, and the lilting keyboards of Latin / Cuban piano specialist Sara. All of this sits on top of the rhythmic powerhouse team of Ernesto (drums), Emeris (congas), Elpidio (bass) and Shyam (rhythm guitar). Since their formation in 2006 the band have gone from strength to strength, completing several UK tours and building a solid following. In May 2020 Grupo Lokito were awarded an Arts Council grant to make music during lockdown and the band released three tunes on digital platforms: Yoka!, ¡Lo Que Pasó! and BolingoYa Londres. Some more exciting new sounds are cooking in preparation for a forthcoming vinyl release.
Previous releases include “Esengo Ya Ko Bina” (The Joy of Dancing) capturing the vibrancy and spirit of their stage show, Latin Beat on Putumayo (Aug 30 2011), Urban Africa on Cavendish Music (2010) and “The Rough Guide to African Street Party “on the World Music Network (2008).
JUANITA EUKA
With Congolese and Argentinian roots and as the niece of rumba giant Franco, Juanita Euka boasts a unique music palette, fusing her African and Latin heritage to become one of the mainstays in London’s vibrant live music scene. Over the last eight years, she has worked with London Afrobeat Collective, the Cuban fusion band Wara and Latin / Afro big band Animanz and is now starting out on a new, exciting solo career.
In 2020, Juanita recorded her first solo track ‘Alma Seca’ which quickly led to a live appearance performing the song in series 3 of blockbuster series ‘Killing Eve’. Landing a new album deal with Strut Records, Juanita can now bring together all of the pieces of her music outlook, drawing on elements of African and Latin styles, hip hop, soul and jazz to create her own unique musical palette.
Thursday 23rd December 2021
£12.50
The Jazz Cafe, 5 Parkway, London , London NW1 7PG