Nordlys Global Voices: Kaleta & Super Yamba Band

A band of Brooklyn-based Afro-Funksters, Kaleta & Super Yamba Band are fronted by Afrobeat and Juju veteran Leon Ligan-Majek, a.k.a. Kaleta. The singer/guitarist from the West African country of Benin Republic lived his adolescent life in Lagos, Nigeria where Afrobeat was born. Kaleta’s guitar chops earned him decades of touring and recording with Fela Kuti, King Sunny Ade, Lauryn Hill and more.

Kaleta got his start in the late 70s performing in church and was soon after picked up by iconic Juju master and world music pioneer King Sunny Ade. A few years later Fela Kuti came calling. Kaleta would go on to tour the world playing guitar for the King of Afrobeat in his storied band Egypt 80 through the 1980s and into the 1990s.

Now based in New York City, Kaleta has been leading Super Yamba Band since 2017. Made up of Daniel Yount (drums), Evan Frierson (percussion), Walter Fancourt (sax), Sean Smith (trumpet), the band have long been students and devoted fans of vintage West African, psychedelic Afro-funk. They’ve honed their craft performing alongside Kaleta and with a diverse range of artists such as David Byrne, Rubblebucket, Yeasayer and Between The Buried And Me to name a few.

Stream this show live at caffelena.tv. Enjoy one week of access with your $5 live stream ticket.