Out of Montreal, Afrodizz have been highly recognized as one of the newest groups to be added to the genre of Afrobeat. Formed in 2002, the band has quickly become a powerhouse premiering as one of Canada´s Afrobeat leaders. Afrodizz independently distributed a four track EP that has become a classic to the Afrobeat nation. Their single "No Time" is a big hit and has been play listed around the world by several DJs such as Toronto´s Movement Collective, Quantic, Snowboy and other DJs worldwide.

Winner for best new artist from the Toronto African Music Awards, Femi Abosede is a true Afrobeat maestro. Introduced to the godfather of Afrobeat as a young child, Femi Abosede had the once in a lifetime opportunity to spend his teenage years at Fela´s infamous Shrine and Kalakuta Compound. "Just by observing Fela, he taught me to work tirelessly and passionately on my craft." Abosede says, "It is my own music, but Fela helped me open my eyes to the world conditions. Through Fela I found my voice to speak on the issues around me and the world."

Abosede´s new album No Compromise was developed from an in depth understanding of social consciousness. Filled with quick paced rhythms of drums, scratch guitars and muscular bass lines, Abosede sets the stage with hardcore point horns and solid backing vocals. Many have likened Abosede to King Sunny Ade or Tabu Ley Rochereau while African people find Abosede´s style to be worthy of being likened to the work of James Brown.

" I feel I have a richer sound," Abosede continues, "the quality of music, the aura of the sounds and dancers create a joyful experience for the people attending my shows or listening to my music."

Long time performer of Afrobeat, Dele Sosimi started his career when he joined Fela Kuti´s Egypt 80 in 1979.

Today Dele Sosimi is known to be one of the most active musicians currently on the Afrobeat scene worldwide. As a member of Egypt 80, Dele Sosimi toured extensively around the world. Sosimi played as the rhythm keyboard player for the band and played at several venues including, Montreux, The North Sea Jazz Festival and the Montreal Jazz Festival. During Egypt 80s time, Fela Kuti was incarcerated and with the help of Femi Kuti, son of Fela, Dele Sosimi helped take over to temporarily lead Egypt 80.

It was at this stage that Dele Sosimi had the chance to develop his arranging skills as the bands musical director, re-orchestrating and re-arranging as well as dealing with recruitment for the band and training new musicians added to the line up. Dele Sosimi played keyboards on several Fela and Egypt 80 hits.

In 1986, Dele Sosimi and Femi Kuti left Egypt 80 to form their own band, The Positive Force; they went on to play major music festivals and were invited to perform at The Jazz Club of Nigeria and many others. It was during this time that the band played alongside several great musicians such as The Dizzy Gillespie, Randy Weston, Toshiko Akiyoshi and Didier Lockwood.

They produced the albums No Cause for Alarm, Mind Your Own Business and Wonder Wonder.

Dele Sosimi has also worked with several musical influences, developing further interest in Afro inspired music, collaborating with an Afro jazz Quartet/Quintet and produced a CD Made In Nigeria courtesy of the French Cultural Centre, Lagos, Nigeria.

By 1995, Dele Sosimi left The Positive force and moved to London to set about forming a new group. He has gone on to be more successful than ever imagined, releasing his first solo album in 2002, Turbulent Times.

Dele also in 2004 selected tracks for a 3-CD compilation titled Essential Afrobeat, with Family recordings (Universal). He also produced and co wrote Calabash Volume 1: Afrobeat Poems by Ikwunga the Afrobeat Poet that was also released in 2004.

Dele Sosimi is currently working on the final stages of his next album and is a central member of the Wahala Project, which released the single Wahala in 2006. The track also appeared on Pumas 2006 Soccer World Cup Compilation CD, Africa Plays On.

Filled with the funky rhythms and jazz infested tracks, Dele Sosimi promises to be a memorable act this year at the Afrikadey Festival.

The Souljazz Orchestra is an Ottawa-based band that has been keeping the classic sounds of raw gritty Afrobeat alive and well in Canada. The Souljazz Orchestra shows the influence of James Brown, Herbie Hancok, Fela Kuti and Tito Puente.

Filled with variety The Souljazz Orchestra draw inspiration from several genres such as jazz, funk, blues, reggae, classical, traditional Cuban, Brazilian and West African Percussion.

They have opened for several headliner acts such as Etta James, Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, John Lee Hooker Jr., The Sadies, Fred Eaglesmith and many more.

The band has also appeared at several festivals including the Montreal Jazz Festival, the Ottawa Jazz Festival, the Ottawa Blues festival and the Ottawa Tulip Festival.

As well as The Afrobeat Summit, Afrikadey is also proud to present the following acts as part of our line up.

Striving to save traditional African rhythms from the depths of modernity, the Amazone Women Master Drummers main goal as a group is to preserve African rhythm in traditional ceremonies and cultural events.

The Amazone Women Master Drummers are pioneers in their art, a true first to the drumming society.

The Amazone Women Master Drummers are breaking taboos that stretch back thousands of years. By breaking this taboo, the women of Guinea are assuring women not only in Africa but also around the world that women can be independent and empowered to speak out in an environment where women and children are to listen and obey.

For many years the Djembe drum has been exclusive to the men of Guinea. The Amazones are a daring response to archaic traditions. Never before have women pursued careers as djembe players in Guinea.

In choosing to become a djembe player, each woman shows the desire to control her destiny, support her children and preserve her heritage culture by passing it on to the next generation.

The Amazones mark the beginning of a new era, a socio cultural and economic departure from tradition.

The Amazones are erasing old preconceptions and traditions to empower themselves and the nation.

2005 Juno Award Winners, The African Guitar Summit is a start studded collaborative project uniting the talents of Canada´s best guitarists of African origin.

Backed by CBC Records, The African Guitar Summit united over three days, played together on the fourth and spent the following three days recording 19 songs. The disc features Alpha YaYa Diallo from Guinea, Pa Joe from Ghana, Adam Solomon from Kenya, Mighty Popo from Burundi and Rwanda, Donne Roberts and Madagascar slim from Madagascar, Balafon player Naby Camara, singer Theo Boaku and drummer Kofi Ackah round up the group.

Todd Fraracci, a CBC producer/engineer and African-music enthusiast, conceptualized the project while working on CBC Radio´s On Stage.

Award winning international artist Wes´Li began his career at the tender age of 19 playing guitar with his Afro roots jazz quartet 4ever. Together they performed in dance clubs in Haiti.

In 2001 Wes´Li was hired by Kreol Mizik and now travels and tours everywhere from the Antilles to France in the company of some of the biggest artists of the Antilles namely Jack Rapon, Lea Galva, Jocelyn Delormeau, Thierry cam, Leila Chiro, Sonia Derscona and the late Edith Leyfel.

With the help of his father and older brother Wes’Li formed a soul/R&B band Sokute.

Wes´Li arrived in MontrÈal and immediately started working with the Productions Nuits d´Afrique team; with the team he has accompanied Monique Seka, King Mensah, Amadou Sodia, Hamid Bouchnak and others. In MontrÈal, Wes´Li has worked with several artists including Lorraine Klasse, Seneya, with whom he won a prize during the 35th edition of the Festival International de la chanson de Granby in 2003, Pierre-Michel Menard, Barbard, Sara Renelik, Yakengue, Z´WA, Jean Aresenault, Steev Dumas, Syncop, Zahi Sect and many more.

He has performed at several festivals including Le Festival International de Jazz De Montreal, Les Francofolies de Montreal, Le Festival du Monde de Chicoutimi, The Urbanfest of Ottawa, Roots and Culture Festival Miami and the International Night Festival of Africa.

Wes´Li acts as musical director and guitarist for both the hip-hop band Muzion with which he appeared on stage as the opening act for Wyclef Jean.

In 2005 Wes´Li co produced and co wrote the album Garde la Tete Haute/Audiogram 2005 for the singer songwriter Seneay who was nominated for the best francophone album at the 2006 Juno Awards.

Wes´Li is also the musical director and one of the composers and guitarist for the multidisciplinary troupe Line 1 under the artistic direction of Mrs. Debra Brown, former choreographer for the Cirque du Soleil.

In 2006, Wes´Li was the recipient of a grant from the Conseil des Arts et Lettres du Quebec for research and creation for the repertoire of his first solo album which is due to come out later this year.

With all these experiences Wes´Li has become a unique young artist with a genuine talent.

Local acts based in the city will also be featured.

Coming Soon.

Coming Soon.

Coming Soon.

Fueled by fiery nouveau flamenco rhythms, Los Morenos is turning up the heat! Crossing numerous stylistic barriers, the group mixes rumba flamenco, pop jazz, funk and eastern sounds with an infectious dance beat, much to the delight of audiences everywhere.

Performance highlights for the banc include private engagement for the Governor General of Canada and opening for world music superstars Angelique Kidjo, Juan de Marco´s Afro-Cuban All Stars, Cesaria Evora, Alpha YaYa Diallo, Third World and many more...all to glowing reviews.

A treasured highlight for the band was a 2003 sold-out headline show at Calgary´s Jack Singer Concert Hall as part of the BD&P World Music Series.

In addition to playing clubs, theatres, jazz and folk festivals across Western Canada, the band is also a frequent guest on the CBC, CKUA radio Alberta, Vancouver TV, A-Channel TV Alberta and the national CTV program "Good Morning Canada."

Los Morenos have sold over 40 000 units of their first two albums "Moviendo Te" and "Presence of You." They have just release a live album "En Vivo" and release "Transitions" last spring in 2006.