Matoke formed organically in august 2006 to play a fundraiser gig for Cambridge refugee support group. A diverse group of musicians with influences ranging from West African, to Country, Blues, music. Matoke’s music reflects this blending of influences and is a mixture of South African township jazz in the style of Abdullah Ibrahim, reggae, and blues. Matoke have played at venues across Cambridge including CB2 Bistro and acclaimed Jazz venue the Elm tree. They have also raised funds for Oxfam.

The instrumentation used by Matoke and the energy and vibrancy make their music very danceable. Electric guitar, saxophone, bass and drums are blended with West African balafon ( a twenty one key pentatonic xylophone) congas, berimbau (a brazilian bow used in Capoeira) and penny whistle. Matoke play their own compositions alongside those of others such as Abdullah Ibrahim’s “African market place”
 
Lucas `petit Sangare' Keen plays drum set and Balafon which he learnt in Boke, Guinea Conakry with the family of Ali Baba Bangoura. He is inspired by music from across the African continent. He also presents an African music show "Toujours Afrique" on www.209radio.co.uk
The Ecocowboy was given his first bass at the age of 12. He fell in love with African music in an African market place in Voi Kenya where he also attemped to eat matoke raw... Stupid boy.
Ben ate a lot of matoke in Uganda, where he jammed with the country’s leading musicians, including Afrigo. He went on to tour Australia with indie-ska pioneers Blue Arsed Flies. He finally settled down in Cambridge, where he stumbled across Matoke playing at the Elm Tree. He was so impressed that he broke into the backstage area and asked if he could join the band, who said yes when they saw his accordion.
Maxwell's sound has been inspired by the various genres in which he has played from rock to big band and latin jazz. For Maxwell playing with Matoke is about communicating and passing on the joy that music gives him.
Ben is well known in Cambridge as an outstanding Jazz musician, but also as a musical nomad always keen to explore new sounds and genres. His Alto Sax provides a soulful and sweet sound in Matoke.
Chris could play tin whistle before he could talk. No one can still understand a word he says. He was born in a crossfire hurricane and raised by a toothless bearded hag.