Ikeja, Lagos, 1978. Six-year-old Bodé Owa tugged at his mother’s hand, trying to slow her pace. Peering through the open gate of the Kalakuta Republic, he caught his first glimpse of Fela Kuti rehearsing with Egypt 80 — a memory that never left him.

In October 2023, Seba Colson was asked by an Antwerp bar (Bar d'Henri) to put together a band for a one-off Fela Kuti birthday celebration. Teaming up with Vincent Brijs to put together a band, the project quickly outgrew its one-off premise.

Word spread fast and booking requests started pouring in organically. Venue after venue sold out, and soon the band was lighting up festival stages: Sfinks, Jazz Op De Hei, Rubirock, Saka Saka, Musica Mundo and Arenberg Crossing Borders.

In April 2025 they hosted a late-night show at Het Bos in Antwerp, playing non-stop from midnight until 4:00 AM. All 300 tickets sold out in advance, with a one-in one-out line stretching down the street all night.

The ensemble honours Fela’s original compositions while infusing them with its own touch. Every show is a high-energy celebration where the grooves drive the audience to dance.

The band

• Bodé OwaVocals, percussion & dance · Nigeria

  Grew up steps from Fela Kuti’s Kalakuta Republic in Lagos, immersed in Afrobeat from childhood.

• Zulema Hechavarria BlancoPercussion & backing vocals · Cuba

  Brings Afro-Cuban rhythm traditions into the ensemble’s groove.

• Seba ColsonTrumpet & bandleader · Antwerp

  Bandleader of Unfinished Business, the Fela Kuti Celebration Band and the Seba Colson Quintet.

• Sam JorisTrumpet · Antwerp

  Sam Joris Octet (feat. Bert Joris), Sam Joris Quartet, Winterland ’76. The Bobby James Family, Black Mango, JOGO, Ella Ray.

• Nero VergaertTenor saxophone · Antwerp

  Master in Jazz Performance (Basel), studied under Mark Turner, Ambrose Akinmusire and Chris Cheek. On stage with Jeff Ballard, Jim McNeely, Lionel Loueke and Philip Dizack.

• Vincent BrijsBaritone saxophone · Wilrijk

  Toured with funk pioneers Defunkt. Founder of BRZZVLL / Lucid Lucia and core member of ‘Nuff Said. Guest with the Brussels Jazz Orchestra.

• Jan WillemsKeyboards · Wilrijk

  Produced the latest BRZZVLL / Lucid Lucia records and ‘Nuff Said Live V1. Writes and plays for Zap Mama, K.ZIA, Lize Accoe and Ella Ray.

• David BovéeGuitar · Belgium

  BBC World Music Award winner with Think of One. Five years touring with Céu; Flat Earth Society, Boggamasta.

• Dries LaheyeBass · Mechelen

  Solo album Deining. STUFF., Hoera., Sir Yes Sir, Kyteman Orchestra, Selah Sue, Jameszoo, Liesa Van der Aa.

• Patrick DorceanDrums & percussion · Brussels / Haiti

  Zap Mama, Khadja Nin, Jef Lee Johnson, Reggie Washington, Soulsister, Maurane, Gabriel Rios, Guru & Jazzmatazz.