Jason Tamba and Friends

Motherland & Playing For Change

Present:

Jason Tamba

&

Friends

Jason Tamba Biography:

Born in Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Jason has been playing guitar since age seven, when he made his own instrument out of wood and four strings. Teaching himself guitar for a decade, he began to study classical guitar at age 20, finally earning a degree in classical guitar. After playing at churches, local venues and in Papa Wemba’s traditional group Percussion Molokai, Jason decided to travel to South Africa and expose himself to more opportunities. It was there that he became a guitarist for the group Afro Fiesta. The group’s first self-titled album, released in 2005, is full of songs that are a fusion of various styles including Afro-jazz, Kwasa-Kwasa, Makosa, and hints of Latin music. Widely considered innovators in the entertainment industry, Afro Fiesta has performed at numerous music festivals including Jazz on the Rocks, Joy of Jazz, OBZ Festival, Light Festival and Africa Day Celebrations.

As a lead singer and guitarist for the globally acclaimed Playing For Change Band, Jason has toured the world while spreading the message of love and hope to audiences everywhere. To date, Jason and the Playing For Change Band have played over 400+ concerts in 25+ countries, including a recent appearance as a featured act at New Orleans Jazz Fest in 2022. Jason has also been featured in many of Playing For Change’s acclaimed Songs Around The World videos alongside some of the music industry’s most legendary artists. Those videos Jason has been a part of have been viewed over 400 million times globally.