The Boîte: Live Music Near Me - Ajak Kwai

This event is part of The Boite's live music program, 'Live Music Near Me' showcasing the music of culturally and linguistically diverse artists at a venue near you! Supported by Live Music Australia – an Australian Government initiative.

Originally hailing from a small town of Bor on the Upper Nile in what is now South Sudan, music has always been part of her life.

Performing in English, Arabic, and her native language, Dinka, Ajak Kwai’s music draws upon South Sudanese funk and blues influences and brings together elements of traditional music alongside more contemporary gestures. The result is something notably unique, powerful and uplifting.

With the release of Let Me Grow My Wings, her aptly titled fifth studio album, Australia’s renowned songwoman of contemporary South Sudanese music, Ajak Kwai has established her footing firmly on the Australian music landscape. Now, she has engaged with some of Melbourne’s finest producers and musicians to bring to life an eclectic collection of songs which reflect her observations, influences and connections since moving to Australia in the late nineties.

Her recent EP release "Red Sands" saw Ajak Kwai and her band composing a short form album release which reflected her time spent in northern and central Australia with indigenous elders, spending time amongst the red sands of Australia - a reminder of the red sands of her native Sudan.

Over two decades, Ajak’s broadly inspired artistic achievements include a successful collaboration withs ARIA award-winner Sarah Blasko, becoming ambassador of the Melbourne International Arts Festival, recording with a group of industry stalwarts including Missy Higgins, and performing live at major festivals around Australia and internationally, including Dark Mofo, WOMADelaide, Panama Festival and the Tamar Valley, Port Fairy and Woodford Folk Festivals.

Ajak Kwai's band features local musicians Kumar Shome, Olivia Wendtlandt, Daniel Mizzi, and Matthew Erickson - all collaborating to bring Ajak's story to the forefront of her performances. A mixture of traditional Sudanese music, afrobeat, funk and blues demonstrates the wide breadth of Ajak Kwai's musical story.