OLUMA – Afrobeat/Funk/Jazz

In the organizer's words:

OLUMA - Cooking Time

A sonorous testimony to global groove from Leipzig

"I play yours, you play mine. The music never ends." The timeless mantra of the legendary Tony Allen serves as a musical maxim for the young Leipzig band OLUMA. True to this guiding principle, the nine-piece collective creates an impressive, boundless fusion: an energetic mix of Afrobeat, funk, jazz and Brazilian rhythms. With their album Cooking Time, which they released last year on April 5, 2024 on the Danish label One World Records, OLUMA made a sonorous statement in the global groove scene.

OLUMA was founded in 2021 by bassist Gregor Nicolai, drummer André van der Heide and saxophonist Roman Polatzky. Their purely instrumental compositions are a feast for all lovers of danceable beats and virtuoso musicality. The focus is on dense, irresistible grooves that immediately grab the audience. This rhythmic foundation is carried by powerful, energetic brass lines that lead into extended, virtual improvisations. The band's four brass players are masters of the entire tonal palette: they can drive the energy upwards or gently transport the audience into a floating, almost dreamy world of sound.

The band's roots lie in a deep love of handmade groove music and a passion for danceable beats. The founders André and Gregor have been strongly influenced by Berlin's multicultural scene, while Roman met them both at the Leipzig University of Music. These geographical and musical influences form the foundation of the international band.

The title Cooking Time is more than just a name. It is a metaphor for the collaborative creative process: the music is created in joint songwriting sessions, where beats are tinkered with and ideas are "cooked up". Because the band not only shares the stage, but also the dining table, the album was brought to life in a very special way: In addition to vinyl and CD, there was a matching organic spice mix created in collaboration with Leipzig-based spice manufacturer Bazar - the musical ingredient to the culinary experience.

OLUMA enlisted the services of renowned producer Umberto Echo, an expert in delay effects and passionate afrobeat aficionado, for the recordings. By using old analog technology, Echo manages to create a nostalgic sound that meets a modern and powerful production. After their already successful debut album, OLUMA consolidated their musical mission with Cooking Time: to share the idea that music is a universal language that connects people and contributes to global understanding. Their artistic diversity and rousing live performances make OLUMA one of the most exciting and indispensable bands on the contemporary music scene.

Admission: 19:30

Price information:

Tickets are available for 10/15 euros in the VVK at Culton Ticket and TixforGigs, B.O.: 15/20 euros. VVK runs until 17:00 on the day of the event, after that remaining tickets are always on sale at the B.O.!