$15 / 9:30 doors / 10pm start / seated & standing

SOLO'S BEAT

AFROCENTRIC JAZZ

Solomon Maada Isaac Fatoma, also known as Solo's Beat, is a highly accomplished and respected jazz keyboardist, music producer, songwriter, and sound engineer from Sierra Leone. His remarkable career began in 2002, and since then, he has made significant contributions to the music industry. 

As a self-taught musician, Solo's Beat's talent and dedication led him to become a keyboard instructor at the esteemed Ballanta Music Academy in 2011.  In 2015, Solo's Beat founded the Freetown Uncut band. This dynamic group would go on to make a profound impact on the Sierra Leonean music scene. In 2017, Solo's Beat and Freetown Uncut organized the highly acclaimed Freetown Music Festival, collaborating with renowned Sierra Leonean artists such as Emerson, Famous, Kman, Drizilik, Arkman, Rozzy, Markmuday, LXG, KME, Shadow Boxxer, LAJ, Kao Denero, and more.  Hit songs included "Di mammy moni fo comot," "Just in case," "Issa goal," "Ah dae go dae gbet" by Drizilik, "Kuseh," "Thop" by KME, "Stop that" by Tigerman ft Star Zee, "Ole mi" by Ragga Spice ft Dallas Bantan, "Woof" by Rozzy ft iTribe.  They also collaborated with Cribs International and Star Zee, further solidifying their reputation as musical pioneers.

In 2018, Solo's Beat embarked on a journey to Lagos, Nigeria, where he recorded his first Afrocentric jazz instrumental album. This extraordinary accomplishment was followed by his inaugural Afrocentric jazz concert, where his exceptional talent captivated audiences. Solo's Beat's influence continued to grow, leading him and the Freetown Uncut band to travel to England in 2019 for a performance tour, which included the prestigious Hull City Music Festival.

Despite the challenges posed by the global Covid pandemic in 2020, Solo's Beat remained resilient and adapted to the circumstances. He collaborated with Cribs International on various live online shows, providing a much-needed source of entertainment during these difficult times. Later that year, Solo's Beat made a significant decision to focus on recording and releasing his own songs. His first single, "Traditional Christmas Medley," garnered international recognition and was featured on renowned platforms such as BBC World News and BBC Focus on Africa.

In 2021, Solo's Beat continued to make waves in the music industry with the release of his album titled "Joanna." This outstanding piece of work gained acclaim on BBC Focus on Africa, BBC 1xtra, and Deutsch Welle TV, further solidifying Solo's Beat's position as a musical force to be reckoned with. Additionally, Solo's Beat embarked on a transformative journey to Dakar, Senegal, for his Fuse Africa project. During this venture, he immersed himself in traditional Senegalese music, incorporating its rich elements into his Afrocentric jazz compositions.

In the same year, Solo's Beat, along with Kate Krontiris and Iyabode, embarked on a groundbreaking endeavor by founding "Telem Uncommon Sounds." This visionary initiative aims to create more opportunities for Sierra Leonean musicians, allowing them to create, perform, and share experimental music while maintaining their local roots and expanding their global reach.

In early 2022, Solo's Beat once again caught the attention of BBC Media Sierra Leone for his innovative approach to music-making. Utilizing unconventional instruments such as kitchen utensils, balls, and bottles, Solo's Beat showcased his unique creativity. Later that year, he released his album "Jungle Heart" and celebrated with an unforgettable album listening party, generously sponsored by TuneCore, a prominent digital music distribution, publishing, and licensing service.

April of 2023 witnessed Solo's Beat delivering a mesmerizing Afrocentric jazz concert, seamlessly fusing Sierra Leonean cultural influences. The audience was left spellbound by his extraordinary performance. In July of the same year, Solo's Beat and Telem Uncommon Sounds embarked on an exhilarating performance tour in the United States. They had the incredible opportunity to participate in Yo-Yo Ma's Global Musician Workshop, where they introduced the mesmerizing Bubu music to classical musicians and performed alongside orchestral instruments. Solo's Beat's performances spanned across Washington DC, Virginia, New York, and Atlanta, including an original composition and performance for world leaders.

In October 2023, Solo's Beat returned to Sierra Leone, ready to continue his invaluable work with Telem Uncommon Sounds. He remains dedicated to reinvesting his vast knowledge and experiences into the Sierra Leonean music ecosystem, ensuring its growth and prosperity.

June 2024: Part of the Berklee Gnaoua World Music Program in Morocco, awarded for superior musical participation, leading to an invitation to the Global Musicians Career Summit in Berklee Valencia 2025.

July 2024: Featured on Al Jazeera’s African Direct program, showcasing your unique blend of musical styles and instruments.

August 2024: Participated again at the Silkroad Global Musician Workshop.

August 2024: Interviewed and performed at Voice of America.

September 2024: Invited to perform at the United Nations in NYC.

September 2024: Invited by the World Music Scoring Association at Berklee College of Music in Boston to discuss Sierra Leone native music.

September 2024: Invited to perform at “Pause the World for Peace” concert in Times Square, New York.