Dojo are a collective of jazz and reggae musicians from London, Paris, Nigeria & Lebanon. Currently charming UK audiences with their captivating live shows, stark 21st century outlook and uncanny talent for melody and harmony with their new single ‘Bethel’ already being championed by David Rodigan on BBC Radio 1 Extra.
They are set to release their debut album Gaia in April, the album features a track called Waste Land, check it out below;
The bands music is a celebration of the rich heritage of African, European, and American music. Lyrical content featuring up-to-the-minute political and philosophical observations comes from a combined Christian, Muslim, Buddhist, and Atheist viewpoint. Explorations of joy, despair, human nature, and the reality of living on the breadline in a world city. Their music has an overriding theme of harmony and spiritual connection between all living things.
Formed in 2014 when punk Hammond Organist for hire, Ben Cormack recruited Robin Porter, winner of the George Murphy Trophy for Jazz Saxophone, and V-Drum World Championship finalist Conor Bailey to produce the critically acclaimed debut EP, Descry, which built the nuanced melodies of jazz and soul on a bedrock of roots reggae and afrobeat.
After signing to BBE Records, Dojo broadened their line-up to include Essex-based bassist, Alex Wheeler, Parisian vocalist Mileva Corenthin, guitarist Ollie Haycock, backing vocalists Comfort Emmanuel and Marwah El-Murad, and jazz soloists Rosie Turton (trombone) and Simon Dennis (trumpet), who have allowed Dojo the bring the big sound of their studio recordings to the live stage.
Dojo’s live shows, which showcase the band’s heightened sense of showmanship and remarkable musicianship, have received widespread critical acclaim. Dojo have toured with reggae luminaries Lee Scratch Perry, Groundation, Max Romeo, The Resonators, and Ibibio Sound Machine. The band have headlined capacity shows at venues including Komedia, Floripa, Passing Clouds and Hootenanny, and have played UK festivals including V Festival, Victorious, One Love Festival, Brownstock, Tropical Pressure, London International Ska Festival, Green Man, Secret Garden Party and Rest Festival.
As mentioned above, their debut album, Gaia is released in Spring 2017 and features the lead track Bethel. Dojo will also be joining none other than Reggae royalty, the Wailers on two dates of their UK tour as well as a number of festival appearances set to be announced.
The band also play at O2 Academy2 Islington on Thursday 11th May (Doors 7.00pm / £8.00)
A busy year lies ahead for one of the UK’s most promising rising reggae bands.