Peter Somuah: Songbook of Ebo Taylor - Talk & Listening Session + Live Performance + DJ & Dance Jam

In collaboration with North Sea Round Town, Hiphophuis, House of Knowledge, BIRD, OSHI, Kunstinstituut Melly proudly presents Songbook of Ebo Taylor — the summer’s standout collaboration. Trumpeter and composer Peter Somuah honours the legendary Ghanaian composer, guitarist, and producer Ebo Taylor, bringing together a heavy crew for an inspiring afternoon of music, storytelling, and celebration.

In Songbook of Ebo Taylor, Somuah offers a deeply personal tribute. Taylor’s music was one of Somuah’s earliest musical references — long before he picked up the trumpet seriously.

“I grew up listening to Ebo Taylor on the radio without knowing who he really was. Later, I got to understand the music and the genius behind it. And even later, I got to play with him in Paris. That moment really meant something to me.”

In this project, Somuah reinterprets Taylor’s work in his own style, blending jazz, soul, Ghanaian rhythm, and free improvisation.

Tickets

There are two ticket options for this event:

Full Access (€7.50 incl. service costs): This ticket gives you access to all events in the programme.

Live Performance & After DJ + Dance Jam ONLY (Free): This ticket gives you access only to the live performance and after DJ + dance jam. Registration is required for this free ticket.

PROGRAMME

2:00 PM (Kunstinstituut Melly) — Doors open — Visitors are welcomed at Kunstinstituut Melly for an afternoon that honours music, history, and community.

2:30 PM – 3:30 PM (Kunstinstituut Melly) — Talk & Listening Session — An in-depth conversation moderated by Andrew Makkinga. Somuah invites the audience to explore Ebo Taylor’s legacy, while reflecting on the cultural and historical contexts of his music colonial history, identity, spirituality, and storytelling through sound.
The session features a carefully selected listening program that shaped Somuah’s development as an artist.

“Highlife is more than just a genre to me, it’s how we celebrate, how we protest, how we live.”

This talk also connects to Somuah’s main project for North Sea Round Town, Unstable Grounds, which explores migration, identity, and belonging.

3:30 PM – 4:00 PM (Kunstinstituut Melly) — Break + drinks and bites — Enjoy refreshments before moving to HipHopHuis for the live concert.

4:00 PM – 5:00 PM (HipHopHuis) — Live performance: Songbook of Ebo Taylor — A dynamic live concert where Somuah leads:

Bnnyhunna (keys/guitar)

Junya (drums)

Aaron Bouwman (bass)

Lezaam Beets (trombone)

Together, they breathe new life into Ebo Taylor’s work, blending highlife, afrobeat, soul, jazz, and improvisation.

5:00 PM – 6:00 PM (HipHopHuis) — DJ set + Dance Jam — MO.ĠYAH closes the event with a DJ set and open dance jam, inviting everyone to celebrate with high-energy music and movement.