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Atongo Zimba Live at The Coolroom

Friday 30 January 2026 Doors Open 7pm | Commences 7.30pm

Atongo Zimba Kologo, lead vocals
Seth Odai Calabash, vocals
Leanne Hall Djembe

Ghanaian master musician Atongo Zimba is one of the great ambassadors of West African sound. A kologo player, singer, and griot, his music fuses tradition with modern vibrancy – spanning themes of spirituality, love, and joy.
Having performed with legends like Fela Kuti and Angelique Kidjo, Atongo’s performances are alive with rhythm and connection – a rare chance to experience the energy of African folk music in the intimate setting of The Barn.

Atongo Zimba brings an unforgettable musical experience that bridges ancient traditions and modern grooves. As a master of the kologo, a two-stringed lute from northern Ghana, Atongo fuses storytelling, rhythm, and melody into a performance that is both deeply cultural and globally accessible. Audiences can expect a rich, immersive journey—where the oral history of West African griots meets highlife, Afrobeat, jazz, and funk.

Atongo’s performances are not just concerts—they are living stories told through song, rhythm, and spirit. Having performed alongside legends like Fela Kuti, Hugh Masekela, and Angelique Kidjo, and with international acclaim for hits like “No Beer in Heaven,” he delivers authenticity, charisma, and cultural depth. His show resonates with people of all backgrounds, inviting them to connect with the soul of Ghana through music that is joyful, raw, and rhythmically powerful.

Atongo Zimba's 2026 Australian tour marks a rare and extraordinary opportunity to experience one of Ghana’s most celebrated musical voices live on stage. For this tour, Atongo has formed a powerful new ensemble including Ghanaian musicians living in Australia—bringing together local talent with deep cultural roots to deliver an authentic and electrifying performance.

This collaboration is not only a celebration of Ghanaian music and storytelling, but also a once-in-a-lifetime cultural exchange that showcases the richness of West African heritage through rhythm, song, and connection. With his dynamic presence and the band’s vibrant energy, Atongo’s performance will be a standout moment for all to enjoy—uniting tradition and innovation in a way that only he can.

Atongo Zimba – The Voice of the Kologo

Atongo Zimba is a world-renowned Ghanaian musician, griot, and storyteller whose music bridges the traditional and the contemporary. Born in Bolgatanga in northern Ghana,

Atongo learned the ancient art of kologo playing from his grandfather, crafting songs that reflect the realities of daily life, infused with the rich oral traditions of his people. His sound is a vibrant fusion of roots music, Afrobeat, highlife, jazz, and funk—anchored by the raw, soulful tones of the two-stringed kologo lute.

Atongo has shared stages with global icons like Fela Kuti, Hugh Masekela, Manu Dibango, and Angelique Kidjo. His breakout hit “No Beer in Heaven” and the internationally acclaimed album Savannah Breeze showcased his ability to captivate audiences with a unique blend of rhythm, humor, and wisdom.

In performance, Atongo Zimba offers more than just music—he creates a powerful cultural experience. With infectious energy and magnetic stage presence, he weaves storytelling, traditional instrumentation, and contemporary grooves into a show that transcends borders and speaks to the heart. Audiences can expect an uplifting, deeply human performance that celebrates Ghanaian heritage while embracing global sounds.

BIOGRAPHY

Atongo Zimba is one of Ghana’s most celebrated musical exports—a master musician, griot, and storyteller whose music transcends borders.

Atongo Zimba brings an unforgettable musical experience that bridges ancient traditions and modern grooves. As a master of the kologo, a two-stringed lute from northern Ghana,

Atongo fuses storytelling, rhythm, and melody into a performance that is both deeply cultural and globally accessible. Audiences can expect a rich, immersive journey—where the oral history of West African griots meets highlife, Afrobeat, jazz, and funk.

Born in 1967 in northern Ghana’s Bolgatanga region, he learned to build and play the kologo, a two-stringed calabash lute, from his grandfather. His early songs were deeply rooted in tradition, blending everyday life in the savannah with the rhythms of highlife, jazz, funk, and Afrobeat.

Atongo’s musical journey took him across Africa, performing for Fela Kuti at Lagos’ iconic Afrika Shrine before returning to Ghana to play alongside legends like Hugh Masekela, Manu Dibango, Osibisa, and Angelique Kidjo. His international breakthrough came with the hit song “No Beer in Heaven”, which became a major Ghanaian anthem, and the acclaimed album Savannah Breeze (2005), launched at WOMAD Festival and widely celebrated on BBC’s Africa On Your Street.

With a career spanning Europe, South America, and Africa, Atongo has captivated global audiences, blending traditional Ghanaian storytelling with contemporary sounds.

WEBSITE: Atongozimba.com

SOCIAL MEDIA

INSTAGRAM: Atongo.Zimba

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100068169992719

AUDIO LINK

SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2v4nnZUv8Vd6dlwn4reAD4?si=JALBW4d1RP-CT75RQMHMBw

VIDEO LINK : YOUTUBE : https://youtube.com/@atongozimba?si=1SRTOz8uy78hEHJs

Contact the host of Atongo Zimba Live at the Coolroom