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BIOGRAPHY

Dojo are a collective of jazz and reggae musicians from London, Paris, Nigeria, and Lebanon whose starkly political 21st century outlook and uncanny talent for melody and harmony are taking reggae from the underground to the mainstream for the first time in a generation.

Dojo formed in 2014 when punk Hammond Organist for hire, Ben Cormack recruited Robin Porter, winner of the George Murphy Trophy for Jazz Saxophone, and V-Drum World Championship finalist Conor Bailey to produce the critically acclaimed debut EP, Descry, which built the nuanced melodies of jazz and soul on a bedrock of roots reggae and afrobeat. After signing to BBE Records, Dojo broadened their line-up to include Essex-based bassist, Alex Wheeler, Parisian vocalist Mileva Corenthin, guitarist Ollie Haycock, backing vocalists Comfort Emmanuel and Marwah El-Murad, and jazz soloists Rosie Turton (trombone) and Simon Dennis (trumpet), who have allowed Dojo the bring the big sound of their studio recordings to the live stage.

Dojo’s music is a celebration of the rich heritage of African, European, and American music. Lyrical content featuring up-to-the-minute political and philosophical observations comes from a combined Christian, Muslim, Buddhist, and Atheist viewpoint. Explorations of joy, despair, human nature, and the reality of living on the breadline in a world city, are underpinned by an overriding theme of harmony and spiritual connection between all living things.

Dojo’s live shows, which showcase the band’s heightened sense of showmanship and remarkable musicianship, have received widespread critical acclaim. Dojo have toured with reggae luminaries Lee Scratch Perry, Groundation, Max Romeo, The Resonators, and Ibibio Sound Machine, headlined capacity shows at venues including Komedia (Brighton), Floripa (Hoxton), Passing Clouds (Dalston), and Hootenanny (Brixton), and have played UK festivals including V Festival, Victorious (main stage), One Love Festival (stage headline), Brownstock (stage headline), Tropical Pressure (main stage), London International Ska Festival (festival opener), and Rest Festival (festival headline).

Dojo’s debut album, Gaia, is due for release in December 2016.