In this episode, I have a great conversation with Nigerian trumpeter Etuk Ubong, exploring his one-of-a-kind genre, Earth Music.
I don’t usually get hung up on genre labels, but I love when different musical traditions come together to create something that captures the human spirit.
The Durchluften Festival 2024 gave me the chance to experience artists who thrive on blending styles, including those who’ve defined their sound.
One standout for me was Etuk Ubong.
Shoutout to Spotify for introducing me to his debut album, Tales of Life.
I hit play on the recommended track, The Earth Meditation, and from there, it felt like I was in a moving meditation—spiritual, profound, and purposeful.
That’s exactly the energy he brought to his performance at the festival.
I loved his fusion of jazz, Afrobeat, and ritual music.
In Conversation with Etuk Ubong
Etuk Ubong is one of the most electrifying trumpet players in Africa.
Seun Kuti himself called him ‘one of the best things to come out of Lagos,’ and it’s easy to see why.
Etuk picked up the trumpet at 14 and hasn’t looked back since.
What sets him apart is his fusion of Afrobeat, Highlife, Jazz, and the traditional drumming of the Ekombi.
It’s a captivating mix of spiritual, high-energy, and deeply moving rhythms.
I sat down with him before his set at the Dürchluften Festival 2024.
We dove into his musical influences, deep connection to Fela Kuti, and how he crafted his unique genre: Earth Music.
We also touched on the importance of documenting your journey online and he had great insights to share on that.
Chatting with him was a spiritual experience.
I hope you’ll feel the same while listening to the episode. 🎧
In addition, read this blog article: Navigating The Cultural History of Jazz Music w/ Natalie Greffel
TABLE OF CONTENTS
03: 41 Etuk Ubong’s early music memories
12:46 The strong link to Fela Kuti
16:50 Being intentional about music and education
22:43 Etuk’s vision and commitment to Africa
27:15 Earth Music: listen to your innermost
34:26 The importance of documenting your journey online
EPISODES LINKS
Etuk Ubong Live – Durchlüften Festival Berlin Germany 01/08/2024
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