Happy African inspired music to dance to! Matoke play township jazz, mbaqanga, Jit and reggae. Formed in 2006, Matoke quickly established themselves in their hometown of Cambridge with a residency at acclaimed venue The Elm Tree. Since then the band have supported Congolese giant Kando Bongo man and contributed to Amnesty international's music download project `Tracks for Amnesty'. A regular highlight of Cambridge's Heart of the world festival, Matoke have also played at the Brighton Arts festival and Brick Lane venue 93 Feet East, having many adventures in Shebeens and occasionally being joined by guest vocalist Ali Baba on the way.

  
 
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.