Welcome to the first in the series, where I will take you to explore Africa's unbelievable talent which I call the Troubadours of Africa. The world of jazz has always been a vibrant tapestry woven with diverse threads from various musical traditions. One of the most enriching and captivating influences has been African music.
Jazz Matters’ latest series, “The Troubadours of Africa,” celebrates the extraordinary contributions of African artists to the global jazz scene. In Part 1 of this series, with my playlist, I delve into the profound impact and rich legacy of some of Africa's most iconic musicians, whose works have resonated worldwide.
Enjoy the music I love.
Essential info.
Website - www.jazzmattersuk.com
Music free to stream -https://www.jazzmattersuk.com/music-player-1
For all social media links and more visit my Linkhub. https://www.jazzmattersuk.com/linkhub
Jazz Matters Info - https://www.jazzmattersuk.com/about
Email - [email protected]
A Blog supporting this Medley
https://www.jazzmattersuk.com/blogs/the-troubadours-of-africa-part-1
A Blog looking at the cross-pollination of Cuban and African music
https://www.jazzmattersuk.com/blogs/troubadours-of-afrika
Playlist
Issa Bagayogo – Timbuktu
Richard Bona - Bisso Baba (Always together)
Pape Fall - Doumou Ndeye
Amadou & Mariam – Coulibaly
Habib Koité – Namania
Ismaél Lö - Jammu Africa
The Very Best - Hear Me
Ali Farka Touré – Savane
Papa Noel and Papi Oviedo – Juliana
Ethan Tomas - I AM AN AFRICAN
Nduduzo Makhathini - Water Spirits (Izinkonjana)
Diabel Cissokho - Dembo
Fatoumata Diawara – Sowa
Abdullah Ibrahim - Dollar Brand - Whoza Mtwana
Amadou & Mariam, Santigold - Dougou Badia (feat. Santigold)
Fatoumata Diawara – Sowa
Jazz Matters
Jazz Matters is a not-for-profit hobby project that I’m extremely proud of.
It began life in May 2021 as NuDirections, a weekly radio show on a London community station. That spirit of discovery still runs through everything I do.
But today, Jazz Matters has evolved into a global podcast platform for Jazz and World music lovers — reaching over 40,000 open-minded listeners across 57 countries on more than 24 platforms.2025/6 marks a new era. My love of music has always gone beyond Jazz, so I’ve created two distinct but connected spaces here
Jazz Matters: Podcasts, Playlists and Music Videos.
Jazz Lines: Blogs, Interviews, Gallery & Pulse for Who's Shaping the Scene.
I’m also preparing a full digital relaunch from my new studio, from 1st May 2026, then every Jazz Matters podcast, mix, and special will stream exclusively from my website—no third-party platforms and no algorithms. Until then, you can listen here and on 24+ podcast platforms.
Alongside the music, you’ll find in Jazz Lines, my platform for blogs, interviews, gallery, and pulse that links to things that catch my ear and eye. A bold new chapter begins soon. New location. New music player. New studio.
Jazz Matters. Because the music — and everything around it — truly does.
Enjoy the music I love