Niwel Tsumbu & Song of the Nations
Presented with funding from the Music Network Performance and Touring Award
" “Niwel and his band are at the top of their profession…Niwel Tsumbu’s live show is unmissable” "
Starlife Magazine, May 2009
Congolese guitar sensation Niwel Tsumbu and the ‘Song of the Nations’ band are set to bring a 11 nights of spinetingling music to venues across Ireland as part of a nationwide tour presented with funding from the Music Network Performance and Touring Award. Niwel and the Song of the Nations Band have been wowing audiences and critics alike with concerts nationwide in support of the new album ‘Song of the nations’ in 2009. The Irish Times reviewed the album launch concert “Antidotes to the recession don’t come much more potent than this. Niwel Tsumbu’s indomitable, infectious spirit invaded the intimate confines of Whelan’s before his first song had evaporated. Tsumbu takes his audience on a journey of discovery that traverses the peaks and troughs of life’s unpredictable terrain with startling precision. He gives full rein to a sweep of syncopated rhythms that have many of his punters grasping and gasping to keep up.”
Since his arrival in Cork in 2004 from his war torn homeland of the Congo, Niwel has developed an enviable reputation as an elegant and fluent guitarist, vocalist and composer. The new album ‘Song of the nations’ perfectly showcases his ability to vividly blend African rhythms, rumba, new jazz, classical flamenco and more. Playing electric & acoustic guitars & singing mostly in his native Lingala, Niwel performs a range of music that stretches from contemporary versions of Congolese traditional music from the 1930s & 40s to modern Jazz.
Song of the Nations is:
Niwel Tsumbu (Congo) – Guitar & Vocals
Peter Erdei (Hungary) – Bass
Eamonn Cagney (Ireland) – Percussion
Kathryn Doehner (Germany) – Violin
Frailan Moran Mendive (Cuba) - Percussion
Tour Dates
Friday 5 Feb, Drogheda, Co. Louth
- Droichead Arts Centre
- 8.30pm, €15/12
- 041 9833946
Saturday 6 Feb, Tinahely, Co. Wicklow
- Courthouse Arts Centre
- 8pm, €17.50/€16 (friends €15)
- 0402 - 38529
Thursday 11 Feb, Listowel, Co. Kerry
- St. John’s Arts Centre
- 8pm , €15/12
- 068 22556
Saturday 20 Feb, Inis Óirr, Aran Islands
- Áras Eanna
- 8.30pm, €10/5
- 099 751 50
Friday 26 Feb, Ardara, Co. Donegal
- The Heritage Centre
- 8pm, €10 / €6
- (0)74 9541704
Saturday 27 Feb, Sligo
- The Factory
- 8pm, €15 / €12
- (0) 71 917 0431
Monday 1 Mar, Castlebar, Co. Mayo
- Linenhall Arts Centre
- 8pm, €15/12
- 094 9023733
Friday 5 Mar, Clonakilty, Co. Cork
- de Barra's
- 9.30pm, €12
- 023 8836549
Friday 19 Mar, Portlaoise, Co. Laois
- Dunamaise Arts Centre
- 8pm, €12/€10
- 0502 63355
Saturday 27 Mar, Wexford
- Wexford Arts Centre
- 8.30pm, €15/12
- 053 9123764
