Tanzanian-born bassist, multi-instrumentalist, singer-songwriter and composer Humphrey Mubba is one of the most intriguing new voices on the Finnish jazz and rhythm music scene. In his music, you can clearly hear the influence of his roots. Born to parents from the Kilimanjaro region of Tanzania and raised in a family with diverse ethnic backgrounds, Mubba grew up surrounded by a cultural heritage in Tanzania shaped by centuries of exchange between different peoples, cultures and traditions. These rhythms and melodies form the backbone and trademark of his music, fusing it with jazz, gospel, funk, and blues. However, what really stands out is the spontaneous jazz improvisation, which plays an essential role especially in live shows with his band.
The Afrotan is Mubba’s new band, formed after he moved to Finland in 2025 to study at the renowned Sibelius Academy. The group brings together musicians from different part of the world including Chile, Italy, Finland and Tanzania, all now based in Helsinki. They have been working on Humphrey Mubba’s second album Echoes from the West, scheduled for release in April-May 2027, with the first single “Muda Uleule” already out.
His debut album, Time, was digitally released in 2024, showcasing the diversity of his musical expression. The best known of the songs is the wistful “Kwetu Mashariki”, which portraits both the beauties and burdens of his home country. The track was selected for the compilation JazzRenyon Indian Ocean Pacific Jazz Vol. 2 in 2025 (listen on Bandcamp »).
Before performing live with his new band in 2026, including shows at Music Heals Festival and in November at Funky Elephant Festival in Finland, Mubba had already toured internationally. An extensive African tour in 2024 took him to several countries across the continent, introducing his music to diverse audiences. The tour included major festivals such as Sauti za Busara in Zanzibar and BC International Jazz Festival in Kenya.
What is particularly funky about Humphrey Mubba, is his desire to elevate the bass guitar to the forefront of the music – if not all the time, then at least to give it the attention it deserves. And it comes with a slap! The names like Larry Graham, Manou Gallo, or Ida Nielsen may immediately flash into your mind, and for good reason: Mubba is working in the same rich tradition of using slap technique to put the bass right at the heart of the groove. With his energetic playing and strong rhythmic sense, he makes the instrument a powerful and highly visible part of the musical expression. He describes his musical approach as follows: “Known for his rhythmic depth and versatility on bass, his music carries movement, resistance, and energy, music that ignites the body and awakens the mind.”
While Mubba is the maestro on bass and vocals, the five-piece lineup of The Afrotan can boast with widely experienced musicians with a background ranging from various jazz forms from Afro jazz and contemporary jazz to Andean music and world fusion. Several are also active as educators, which may well contribute to the group’s distinctive synergy. The band features Joni Vierre (Yhtä, Värivarjo, Chico Matada & Joni Vierre) on guitar and mandolin, Constanza Garcia on flute and sax, Aarne Toivonen on drums and percussions, and Baraka Issabu on piano and keyboards. Many of them already draw inspiration from various international music projects they have been part of.
Text: Joonas Kervinen / Funky Finland
