Peter Somuah plays tribute to Ghanaian highlife and Afrobeat legend Ebo Taylor

Talk & Listening session + live performance + DJ & Dance jam

This event is co-created by North Sea Round Town, Hiphophuis, House of Knowledge, Kunstinstituut Melly, BIRD and OSHI.

In Songbook of Ebo Taylor, Peter Somuah offers a deeply personal tribute to the legendary Ghanaian composer, guitarist and producer Ebo Taylor. His music formed one of Somuah’s earliest musical references—long before he seriously picked up the trumpet.

“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 performance, Somuah reinterprets Taylor’s work in his own style—combining jazz, soul, Ghanaian rhythm and free improvisation.

Talk and Listening Session + bites
The concert is introduced by an in-depth talk and listening session. Somuah invites the audience to explore Ebo Taylor’s musical legacy as well as the broader context in which his music emerged: colonial history, identity, spirituality, and storytelling through sound.
The listening selection includes music that inspired Somuah in his own development as an artist.

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

The conversation also deepens themes from Somuah’s main project for North Sea Round Town: Unstable Grounds, premiering on 3 July at the Wester Theater. This project brings together themes of migration, identity, and belonging.

Live performance & After DJ + dance jam: free ticket registration needed
After the talk & listening session, we’ll move to Hiphophuis for a live performance ‘Songbook of Ebo Taylor’. Somuah invites the new generation of musicians cultivating a new sound influenced by the diverse and rich musical upbringing and the legends of highlife, afrobeat, soul, and jazz. In this performance they will breathe new life into Ebo Taylor’s work, paying tribute to his legacy. The event closes with a dance jam and DJ set inviting dancers to join in, promising high energy, music, and dance improvisation.

Get your tickets* now to join this event. Limited tickets available!

*There are two ticket types available for this event: FULL ACCESS (access to all events, €7.50 incl. servicecost, and a free ticket to register for Live performance & After DJ + dance jam ONLY)

Timetable: 

Opening doors: 14:00

Talk & listening session: 14:30 – 15:30

Break: 15:30 – 16:00 – with drinks & bites

Live performance ‘Songbook of Ebo Taylor’: 16:00 – 17:00

Hiphophuis Soundsystem (DJ set) & dance jam: 17:00 – 18:00

Partners

Kunstinstituut Melly:
Kunstinstituut Melly was conceived as an art-house with a mission to present and discuss the ideas and work created today by visual artists and cultural makers. To fulfill the core mission of presenting contemporary art and theory, we organize exhibitions, commission art, publish and develop educational and collaborative initiatives. In doing so, we apply a practice of collective learning. This means we spatialize and socialize different forms of knowledge. Public engagement is intrinsic to our creative processes and artistic outcomes.

Read more about: https://www.kunstinstituutmelly.nl/en/

Hiphophuis:

Hiphophuis has been a key space for young creatives and artists, supporting community and development through hip hop for over 20 years. We believe in the transformative power of hip hop as both a unifying force and a catalyst for innovation, social engagement, and change. Our programs focus on developing skills, increasing awareness, and encouraging collaboration. Through mentorship and partnerships, we empower individuals to take on roles as dancers, organizers, artists, and leaders, contributing to the continuous evolution of hip hop culture.

Read more about: https://hiphophuis.nl/en/

House of Knowledge:

House of Knowledge is elevating the cultural scene through long-term educational programs rooted in lived experience, empowerment, community building, mental health, and Black culture. As a grassroots organization, House of Knowledge is committed to strengthening the position of young artists in the performing arts. Their mission is to empower the next generation of performers by providing meaningful support and visibility. At the core of their work is the development of tailor-made, long-term trajectories for exceptionally gifted musician.

OSHI

OSHI is a talent development platform that creates fertile ground for driven musicians and aspiring creative professionals through collaboration and connection. Our vision is becoming a leading entity within the music industry for R&B, soul, jazz, Hip-Hop and related genres within the Netherlands. OSHI is established in collaboration with a strong network of partners consisting of: House of Knowledge, Orisun Studio, PAARD, Super Sonic Jazz, Paradiso, BIRD, Patronaat and INI Movement.

Read more about: oshimusic.com