David Kayode: Reclaiming Jazz's African Roots
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
Tell us a bit about the path that led you to music. When did you start playing? Do you come from a musical family? Was sax your first instrument?
I was raised in music. Growing up having Lord Eric as a local uncle, I was exposed to a lot of touring African musicians from a young age. I started learning piano at 7 years old and saxophone at 8. Whilst my parents were big music lovers with some aptitude, they were not musicians. Music was something I casually did and it got me a scholarship into a prestigious state catholic secondary school. That being said, it was not till I was around 18 years old that I took practising seriously.
What is your Jazz education DNA?
My jazz education started under the supervision of Camilla George at the age 13. Eventually, Camilla introduced me to Gary Crosby and Tomorrow's Warriors, where my Jazz education began to flourish. Under the supervision of Gary Crosby and Tomorrow’s Warriors alumni such as Binker Golding, Denys Baptiste, Shabaka Hutchings and Jason Yarde, I was able to develop my craft and assimilate the bebop style into my West-African fusion musicking.
In addition to your own music, you are a promoter. How did that come about, and do you feel like it's an important skill to hone? The ability to promote yourself?
I became a promoter in my second year of living in Manchester. This became the foundation of a non-profit organisation called Purple Collective. The point of it was to be the musical cultural capital needed to connect creatives in Manchester. We started small and, over a few years, grew to establish ourselves as this in Manchester. It’s such an important skill in the music industry, especially post-COVID, where people are less inclined to be in public music spaces. In fact, with the landscape of promotion changing with the digital age, I believe being a good promoter is more important than being a good musician currently.
Your music carries a strong roots element. Can you tell us more about your heritage and how that is reflected in your music? What is your mission as a musician? What are you trying to bring to your audiences?
I have Celtic and Yoruba heritage. My music focuses on the Yoruba / West-African side, using drum tradition and jazz vocabulary to identify African music as the foundational point of all music. In Yoruba culture, music has so many functions: healing, protection, dancing, and divination. My music serves similar purposes.
You just released your debut EP 'ADE KAYODE'.
How was the experience of putting it together?
The experience was one full of self-doubt. With no label or manager supporting me, I was left to rely on instinct and friendly advice. Thank god, I happen to know people with great advice, Tomorrow’s Warriors and Serious organisation being the top two. That being said, the experience was satisfying. From the beginning of last year, recording on a tight schedule, to flying to Ghana to mix the tunes in June, and finally generating PR for the release. All of it was new but somehow also natural.
How has the feedback been?
The feedback has been amazing. Radio stations love playing my music. All the reviews I have seen have been max ratings. Record stores are buying up my merch stocks. It feels like this is my breakthrough moment in being recognised for my own music and gaining my own personal identity within the music industry.
You are also touring across the UK and have already played Manchester Jazz fest, how was that? Tell us where you will be performing next.
The Manchester Jazz Festival was cool. It was great to open the festival. Leeds last weekend also had great vibes. This month (June), we are in Hackney, Birmingham and Fulham Pier.
Other dates:
19/06/2026 Night Owl Birmingham
03/07/2026 Stroud Jazz Stroud
04/07/2026 East Devon Soul Festival Seaton
05/07/2026 Love Supreme Brighton
25/07/2026 The Bear Luton
16/10/2026 Jam Jar Bristol Bristol
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