Nubiyan Twist is a multi-genre jazz band from Leeds, England, and is based in London.
They are not afraid to explore sounds from different parts of the world. Their leader and founder Tom Excell will tell you his band is never boring and is not strictly jazz. Tom Excell is classically trained on guitar and as anyone knows being classically trained is strict and no stepping outside of its rudimentary notes. It's probably one of the reasons why he decided to experiment.
He met several of his band members while at college in Leeds. Some of the band members are Brazilian and those styles have been mixed in along with the soulful vocals of Nubiya Brandon. The band also has turntablists mixing hypnotic sounds with their live instruments. Their music is an eclectic mix of not only jazz but afro-beats, funk, soul, Latin, hip-hop, reggae, and dance music; and when you put it all together you get some powerful grooves. In 2019 singer-songwriter and founder of the legendary rock band Talking Heads, David Byrne chose Nubyiyan Twist to perform with him at the south bank's Meltdown Festival. They have sold out the Jazz Cafe in London and around the world. They made their debut in 2015 with the album, World Fusion and after catching everyone's attention have recorded several EP's and albums with their latest, Freedom Fables which was released this past March. This 10 piece band has a fierce rhythm section and their horn section is reminiscent of Tower of Power and Earth, Wind & Fire's horn sections. They will be on tour starting in September and hope they come and tour the states soon. Check out this exciting rhythmic soulful jazz band and support independent music and musicians worldwide. Happy listening!
Keeper
