Humphrey Mubba

Humphrey Mubba is a bassist, Singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, composer, and educator from Tanzania, currently living in Finland. He was born to parents from the Kilimanjaro region of Tanzania and raised in a family with diverse ethnic backgrounds, which allowed him to grow up connected to multiple cultures both musically and culturally.

From the very start of his musical journey, Tanzanian rhythms and melodies have formed the backbone of his music, fusing it with jazz, funk, and blues influences that shaped a unique and recognisable artistic identity. He has been inspired by artists such as Richard Bona, Etienne Mbappé, Marcus Miller, Tatu Nane, Jimmy Dludlu, and Hugh Masekela, among many others. Through these influences and his wide musical exposure, his music connects with audiences across Africa and in many other parts of the world.

Mubba has collaborated and performed with musicians from many parts of the world, often united by a shared connection to African music, the music he was born into and raised with. In this tradition, music and dance play an essential role, and for Mubba the two cannot be separated, they are one and the same.

His sound blends Tanzanian and African rhythms and melodies with the spontaneous freedom of jazz improvisation, creating music that carries movement, resistance, and energy music that ignites the body and awakens the mind. His debut album, Time, showcases this musical direction and is available on all major digital platforms.

As a performer, Mubba has toured internationally with his band, including an extensive African tour that took him to several countries across the continent, where he introduced audiences to Tanzanian music through his unique fusion of African rhythms and jazz improvisation. He has performed at major festivals such as Sauti za Busara Festival and BC International Jazz Festival, among others. He has also appeared in concerts, collaborations, and live recordings with many artists as a bass player, known for his distinctive jazz fusion style. Over the years, he has been a member of several East African jazz groups, including Witiri Trio and Moon Jazz.

In addition to performing, Mubba has been an active bandleader for over seven years. He has released his own album Time, and has also worked as a musical director on five other albums with different bands. Alongside performing, he has been dedicated to music education, teaching for four years in music schools including the International School of Tanzania, Action Music Academy, and an orphanage music program in Tanzania.

Mubba is currently working on his second album, Echoes from the North, with his new band Mubba & The Afrotan, featuring musicians from Chile, Italy, Finland, Portugal, and Tanzania