- 17:00Israel vows to strike Iran again if threatened, defense minister warns
- 16:20Morocco sees record 8.9 million tourists in first half of 2025
- 15:50Morocco aims to secure five-month wheat stock amid price drop
- 15:20Macron and Starmer to sign historic nuclear deterrence pact
- 14:50Chemsedine Talbi completes Sunderland move after stellar Club Brugge season
- 14:20Police in Marrakech detain Algerian-French suspect wanted by Interpol
- 13:30EU unveils stockpiling plan to prepare for crises and conflict
- 12:50Spain eases lockdowns as firefighters stabilize Catalonia forest blaze
- 12:20Spaniards favor China over the US in shifting global perceptions
Follow us on Facebook
Nigerian trumpeter Etuk Ubong captivates Mawazine audience with Afro-jazz fusion
Etuk Ubong, a Nigerian trumpeter and composer, delivered a powerful performance at the Mawazine festival. His Afro-jazz melodies, charged with spiritual force and raw energy, left the audience captivated. Performing at 10:30 p.m. on the international stage at Bouregreg, Ubong’s sound resonated deeply, creating a lasting impression.
Born in 1992 in Akwa Ibom and raised in Lagos, Ubong draws on the cultural depth of his Nigerian roots. He blends highlife, jazz, funk, and traditional Ekombi rhythms, influenced by the legacy of Fela Kuti. His music is more than a fusion—it’s a narrative of heritage, resistance, and identity.
Ubong has become one of the key voices in African jazz. His work bridges tradition and innovation. He calls his philosophy “earth music”—a way to reconnect sound with land and spirit. This vision shaped The Truth, his grassroots venue in Lagos, a gathering place for the city’s creative scene.
His 2020 album Africa Today, recorded direct-to-disc in the Netherlands, reflects this ethos. With an eleven-piece band, the album grounds itself in the Ekombi rhythms of Nigeria’s Cross River state. It offers both groove and message, critiquing post-colonial African politics with urgency—echoing Fela and his sons.
While his early work leaned into hard bop, his recent sound focuses more on vocals and rhythm. The result is a vibrant, danceable experience tied to pan-African ideals. His growing international profile includes shows at the EFG London Jazz Festival and collaborations with Femi Kuti.
Ubong’s music continues to evolve. It entertains, challenges, and inspires. He’s not just shaping African jazz—he’s reshaping it.