Artists biographies

Artists biographies Nesta Nala Video Commentary Nesta Talking Conclusion   Tunde Jegede London-based composer, cellist, kora player and workshop leader. He studied at The Purcell School of Music and was introduced to the music of the kora by the virtuoso musician Bouly Cissokho. He has composed for the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, the Philharmonia, the Britten Sinfonia, the London Mozart Players and the East of England Orchestra. Bheki Mseleku Internationally acclaimed South African contemporary pianist and composer, shortlisted for Mercury award. He was promoted as Polygram's number 1 jazz artist. For the past twenty years he has been closely involved with Eugene in the development of his ideas. Anthony Tidd US-based award winning bassist, sound sculptor, composer and bandleader (Quite Sane). Closely associated with the innovative music of New York saxophonist Steve Coleman and Eugene Skeef. Maslo Orhan, aka Oha DOB: 4.06.78. Oha lives in Mostar in Bosnia and Herzegovina. He met an English professor of music during the 1990s who ran music workshops for children suffering from the effects of war. He involved Oha at the Pavarotti Music Centre where he met Eugene Skeef, whom he regards as his teacher. He undertook intensive music training and has become one of the top hand percussionists in the ex-Yugoslavia. He performs on the drum kit, congas and djembe. By blending African and Bosnian music styles he has created a unique performing niche for himself. He has collaborated with artists like Brian Eno, Horace Andy, Vasil Hadzimanov and Mostar Sevdah Reunion, Sevdah de Luxe, Sarajevo Drum Orchestra, Dutch Metropole Orchestra. Atilla Aksoj DOB: 23.04.72 Atilla is a music producer, multi-instrumentalist, composer, sound engineer and DJ based in Mostar, B&H. He has also taught DJ-ing and sampling through workshops. Over the last few years he has been working on his own projects in the areas of jazz and world music, including making fusions of the two genres. He recently set up his own music studio called BARAKA. It has been used to produce a wide variety of music and theatre projects. Marcina Arnold Singer, storyteller, Kathak dancer and workshop leader based in London. She participated in past projects of Umoya Creations in the UK (Spirit of the Drum Song) and South Africa (Ngoma). Mpho Skeef Singer/songwriter and workshop leader based in London; performed with Miss Dynamite; took part in the past UC projects in the UK and the USA (Laketrials). Khaya Mahlangu South African saxophonist/flautist; toured the world with Hugh Masekela, helping to consolidate the unique sound of his Township jazz; closely associated with Eugene's pioneering cultural work in the 1970's with Steve Biko in South Africa. Sibongile Kumalo Top South African singer whose techniques embrace opera, traditional African music and jazz. She collaborated with UC during the Ngoma project in South Africa in 1995, working with Eugene Skeef and the London Philharmonic Orchestra.