Eska Mtungwazi
Biography
Tune Up tour
Singer Eska Mtungwazi performs around Scotland on a Tune Up tour in March.
Born in Zimbabwe and raised and educated in south east London, Eska Mtungwazi is a vocalist, performer, songwriter, musician and producer highly respected amongst her musical peers, and is widely recognised as one of the most talented British soul/jazz artists of her generation.
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Her previous recording and live collaborations have covered a diverse range of artists such as Damon Albarn, legendary British jazz musicians Robert Mitchell, Denys Baptiste, Soweto Kinch, and Courtney Pine, Nitin Sawhney, The Cinematic Orchestra, Ty, Julie Dexter, Lewis Taylor, and Fela Kuti drummer Tony Allen. With bassist Anthony Tidd’s Quite Sane project she won several awards and shared the stage with the likes James Brown and The Roots. Eska was also keyboardist in the live band for DJ Pogo’s monthly hip-hop residency Lyrical Lounge. |
Eska’s performances have been televised several times, including her 2005 show with Courtney Pine at The Barbican for the BBC's acclaimed Jazz Britannia series and a special performance for 4Music on Channel 4.
Eska’s debut Scottish tour takes place in the second half of March 2008. Presented by Edinburgh-based Astrojazz, Eska and her acclaimed band will perform seven dates around the country. This will be a unique opportunity for audiences to sample the talents of one of the world's most in-demand, exciting and original artists. Her fusions of soul, jazz, hip-hop, folk and world music, her unique vocal style and impeccable musicianship have won her fans around the globe.
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Eska’s band consists of some of the most in demand players in the UK: Julian Ferraretto (violin), Robin Malarkey (bass), David Okumu (electric guitar) and Tom Skinner (drums). The band easily matches Eska’s range and dynamism as the charismatic performer moves effortlessly between musical influences. |
Individually, Eska's band members have outstanding CVs. Julian Ferraretto is a respected string arranger who has worked with Carleen Anderson and Karen Lane. Robin Malarkey plays bass for Zero 7 and has collaborated with new wave jazz artists such as Bembe Segue and Finn Peters. David Okumo is the founder member of Jade Fox, and is a first call guitarist for London's 'broken beat' pioneers Bugz In The Attic, 4hero and Mark de Clive-Lowe. Tom Skinner plays drums for Zero 7, Tomorrow's Warriors, Denys Baptiste.
In addition to their individual reputations, the ensemble has a recognised track record in their own right. They have played many prestigious dates, including the Barbados Jazz Festival, Montreaux Jazz Festival, RISE Festival, North Sea Jazz, London's Jazz Café and The Houses of Parliament.
Eska and her band will be performing at the following Scottish venues.
| For more information visit the Tune Up website. |
Tune Up is the Scottish Art's Council's National Lottery-funded initiative to support music touring in Scotland. |