Niwel’s Song of the Nations five piece band formed around the album of the same name, which was released to 5 & 4 star reviews in spring ‘09. The album helped cement Niwel’s stellar rise in the composition and delivery of progressive, eclectic music. The forthcoming Irish tour will offer fans around the country another chance to see Niwel and his band in action as they continue to promote the album, as well as unleashing new material.
2010 will be a significant year for the Congolese native who has been based in Cork since 2004, with both a new studio album and a live album forthcoming later this year. Recently Niwel has been flexing his newly developed acting muscles with a role in the Irish film ‘Happy Ever Afters’ (Newgrange Pictures) which is showing now in cinemas. He aptly plays the part of the band leader in the film and he also composed and performed the film soundtrack. Later this year in May and June, Niwel will perform a specially commissioned concert of music in the Mermaid Arts Centre in Bray, Co Wicklow - the concert will be collaboration with a well known Congolese singer - details will be announced soon. He will also be playing concerts in the UK.
In 2009, the incredible reaction given to the album ‘Song of the Nations’ allowed Niwel and his Song of the Nations band to embark on a hectic touring schedule including concerts at Festival of World Cultures, Africa Day and an incredible appearance at Electric Picnic alongside Donal Dineen, Kila and world music legend Baaba Maal. A heart-warming end to 2009 came as Niwel returned to Kinshasa after a hiatus of five years. As well as visiting deeply missed family and friends, he enjoyed a successful and inspiring time promoting his music on national TV and radio to huge audiences and he realised that his profile at home has been ever growing in his absence. He will return to Kinshasa in August this year to perform at a prestigious jazz festival.
Since his arrival in Ireland from the Congo in ‘04, Niwel has developed an enviable reputation as an elegant and fluent guitarist, vocalist and composer. His ability to vividly blend African rhythms, rumba, new jazz, classical flamenco and more has gained him ardent admirers all over Ireland. 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.
Niwel Tsumbu & ‘Song of the Nations’ tour of Ireland - February/March 2010:
Friday 5th February
Droichead Arts Centre, Drogheda, Co Louth
8.30pm €15/12 Bookings: 041 9833946 www.droichead.com
Saturday 6th February
Courthouse Theatre, Tinahely, Co Wicklow
8pm €17.50/16 Concessions, €15 (Friends of the Courthouse)
Bookings: 0402 – 38529 www.tinahely-courthouse.ie
Thursday 11th February
8pm St. John’s Theatre, Listowel, Co Kerry
€15/12 Bookings: 068 22556 www.stjohnstheatrelistowel.www.stjohnstheatrelistowel.com
Friday 19th February
Roisin Dubh, Galway
8.30pm €12 (non-members) / €10 (members) Bookings: www.roisindubh.net
Saturday 20th February
Aras Eanna Arts Centre, Inis Oirr
8.30pm €10/5 Bookings: 099 75150/ araseanna@eircom.net
Friday 26th February
Heritage Centre, Ardara, Donegal
8pm €10/6 Bookings: 074 91 21968
Saturday 27th February
Tobergal Lane Cafe, Sligo
8pm €15/12 Bookings: 071 9146599 tobergallanecafe@eircom.net
Monday 1st March
Linenhall Arts Centre, Castlebar, Co Mayo
8pm €15/12 Bookings: 094 9023733 www.thelinenhall.com
Friday 5th March
De Barra’s, Clonakilty, Co Cork
9.30pm €12 Tickets sold on the door www.debarra.ie
Friday 19th March
Dunamaise Arts Centre, Portlaoise, Co Laois
8pm €12/10 Bookings: 057 866 3355 www.dunamaise.ie
Saturday 27th March
Wexford Arts Centre, Wexford
8.30pm €15/13 Bookings: 053 9123764 boxoffice@wexfordartscentre.ie
‘Song of the nations’ is available to buy online from iTunes, www.emusic.com & www.amazon.com
www.niweltsumbu.com
www.myspace.com/niweltsumbu
ALBUM & LIVE REVIEWS:
Irish Times review of album launch concert March 2009:
“Antidotes to the recession don’t come much more potent than this. Tsumbu’s indomitable, infectious spirit invaded the intimate confines of Whelan’s before his first song had evaporated. Niwel 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 punters grasping and gasping to keep up.”
“The Congolese musician has done much to pass on the beauty of African music and, through his newest release, continues on his mission to inform us of all that we’ve been missing out on… Niwel, unfortunately for us, will not remain a Cork secret for long”
Evening Echo 5/5 stars album review April 2009
“There’s something about Tsumbu’s native language, Lingala that has infused the Congolese guitarist and singer with a spellbinding fluency....Tsumbu’s confident juxtaposition of clarinet and guitar, insistent percussion and declamatory vocals trace a path that’s all his own...tribal rhythms and transcendent male harmonies declare Tsumbu’s intention to carve a niche nobody else has even dreamt of”
Irish Times 4/5 stars album review April 2009
“Tsumbu’s guitar playing is nothing short of exceptional and the wall of sound that hits you once you press play is infectious. If you’re one of the many unfortunate ones who can’t afford a holiday this year, pick up Song of the Nations and experience the world from the comfort of your armchair”
Hot Press album review April 2009
“Niwel and his band are at the top of their profession…Niwel Tsumbu’s live show is unmissable”
StarLife Magazine, May 2009 live review |
