Upcoming
Details coming soon!
History
I loved The Portico Gallery (recently refurbed and renamed The Portico) the first time I saw it – on a Folk Of The Wood Ceilidh night – and our first Mambista session happened there in October 2014. The plan was to feature the music I have always loved and played from Mambo Inn days onwards.
Latin, African and Jazz are all huge areas covering rhythms/styles taking in Soukous, Highlife, Afrobeat, Afrobeats, Township Jive, Mbalax, Salsa, Cumbia, Son, Timba, Charanga, Bugalu, Samba, Choro, Samba Reggae, Latin Jazz, Jazz Funk, Jazz Fusion. That’s where we start but if you believe, as i do, that most great music has its roots in Africa then reggae, funk, soul, blues, Drum and Bass, rock are also part of the mix aka The Patented Mambista Mash up!
It would never be possible to recreate the sweaty, smokey, thrill of the Mambo Inn days but great music is still being made, and being played, people still enjoy dancing to it, and I love playing it.
There is always an excellent live band*, fab food, a well-stocked bar and a great atmosphere. See you there asap!
*Mambista live bands include Grupo Lokito, Sexteto Cafe, Krar Collective, Jazz Carib, Soothsayers and Youthsayers, Shebeen Blues, Maroon Town, Sarabanda, Bukky Leo’s Black Egypt, Da Lata, Little George Sueref, Nérija, Yaaba Funk, Ray Carless & Club Skaaville Allstars, Conjunto Sabroso, Balkanatics, Yvng Afrikan Pioneers and more
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PAST EVENTS
Mambista In The Park – Claude Deppa & Clare Hirst Band live + DJ Gerry Lyseight
Brockwell Park Community GreenhousesBrockwell ParkLondon,SE24 9BJ Map
The fourth and final Mambista in the Park of 2022 – before we scurry back to The Portico for the dark and cold months – features Claude Deppa/Clare Hirst Band with influences from Township Jive to Brazilian Samba and Jamaican Reggae. Clare Hirst (ex-Belle Stars) on saxophones, and Claude Deppa on trumpet and flugelhorn. Clare has played with The Communards and Mica Paris and has been an integral part of Hazel O’Connor’s touring band. She also played with David Bowie at Live Aid. Claude Deppa was born in Cape Town and played with Miriam Makeba, Chris McGregor’s Brotherhood of Breath, Carla Bley and was part of Hugh Masekela’s touring band.
Mambista in the Park – Michael ‘Bammi’ Rose live + DJ Gerry Lyseight
Brockwell Park Community GreenhousesBrockwell ParkLondon,SE24 9BJ Map
Gig At The GreenhousesMambista at Brockwell Park Community GreenhousesBrockwell Park Community Greenhouses Brockwell Park, SE24 0PASunday August 14thMichael ‘Bammi’ Rose live+ DJ Gerry Lyseight18.30 – 22.30Another evening of superb music – in this case jazz, reggae and ska – guaranteed by Michael ‘Bammi’ Rose. Bammi has the bona fides having played with Jazz Jamaica, Aswad, Jazz Warriors, Jools Holland’s Rhythm & Blues Orchestra, Cymande, the Graceland Tour with Paul Simon, Hugh Masekela and Miriam Makeba. Band members have CVs which include The Specials, PJ Harvey, Errol Linton and Carrol Thompson. No jestering with this crew, they know their business!Come rain or shine ……as we can take shelter in the Greenhouse and under marquees if the weather is unkind to us.Delicious hot food will be available from 7 – 9.15pm. You can book your meal preference with your tickets:Sweet Potato & Peanut Curry with rice. Vegetarian/VeganChicken Madras with rice Join us for a wonderful session of seriously good sounds! Book your tickets below. Children under 12 go free. Tickets in advance:£12 Music only / £18 Music and Food Concessions: £10 Music only / £15 Music and Food Michael ‘Bammi’ Rose – sax/fluteAlan Weekes – GuitarKenrick Rowe – DrumsTony Uter – percussionLance Rose – Double Bass18.30 – 19.30 Gerry19.30 – 20.15 Michael ‘Bammi’ Rose20.15 – 21.15 Gerry21.15 – 22.00 Michael ‘Bammi’ Rose22.00 – 22.30 GerryMambista has been hosting monthly club nights since 2014 at West Norwood’s Portico Gallery with live music from bands such as Sexteto Café, Yaaba Funk, Balkanatics, Grupo Lokito, Nerija, Krar Collective and Da Lata alongside the patented Mambista mash-up on the decks, courtesy of founder, DJ Gerry Lyseight (co-founder of Brixton’s legendary Mambo Inn, Mango Landin’, ex-presenter of Planet Mambo on GLR/BBC London)
Mambista – The Latin, African & Jazz Dance Party – with Kongo Dia Ntotila live + DJ Gerry Lyseight
Portico Gallery23A Knight's HillLondon,SE27 0HS Map
Mambista May 27th – Kongo Dia Ntotila’s sound blends some of Africa’s finest dance music styles. They draw on a breadth of African rhythmic and sonic traditions, with influences of Congolese rumba and the sunshine sounds of seben guitar, seamlessly fused with a neat dose of jazz. It is pure Afro-joy: dance-inducing beats, polyrhythmic guitars, grooving bass and soaring brass. Their latest offering is an extended EP of live tracks from a packed London show at The Jago, Dalston. Half A Live Set presents all new material that will feature on the next studio album. "Incredible musicianship.” Cerys Matthews, BBC 6 Music"A euphoric joy" MOJO magazine "An all around incredible album" Songlines magazine The soundtrack for The Latin, African and Jazz Dance Party will be provided by DJ Gerry Lyseight (ex-GLR/BBC London, Mambo Inn, Mango Landin’) spinning The Patented Mambista Mash Up!Come and support live music at a great venue!Delicious hot food and snacks on sale courtesy of Carey’s Kitchen until 10
Mambista – April 23rd – Yvng Afrikan Pioneers + DJ Gerry Lyseight
Portico Gallery23A Knight's HillLondon,SE27 0HS Map
Yvng Afrikan Pioneers. Dropping a selection of classic HighLife and Palmwine guitar music from Ghana, Nigeria and Sierra Leone; spanning classics from the 50s the 60s and the 70s. Y.A.P is made up of veterans of the HighLife era as well as younger musicians from the London music scene. The soundtrack for The Latin, African and Jazz Dance Party will be provided by DJ Gerry Lyseight (ex-GLR/BBC London, Mambo Inn, Mango Landin’) spinning The Patented Mambista Mash Up!+ delicious hot food and snacks on sale!
Portico Gallery23A Knight's HillLondon,SE27 0HS Map
Mambista March 26th – Sarabanda play Cuban son and vibrant salsa with a serious groove. Pianist Sara McGuinness sought out musicians with a passion for Cuban music to form a collective and the result is a powerful sextet with a big sound.Sara was awarded UK Lukas Awards Latin Musician of the Year 2018!Sliding effortlessly between classic Cuban cha cha cha, mambo and son to the latest hot timba, salsa and Latin jazz, this is Cuban music at its very finest. The soundtrack for The Latin, African and Jazz Dance Party will be provided by DJ Gerry Lyseight (ex-GLR/BBC London, Mambo Inn, Mango Landin’) + hot food and well-stocked bar
Mambista returns with Grupo Lokito live + DJ Gerry Lyseight
Portico Gallery23A Knight's HillLondon,SE27 0HS Map
Grupo Lokito – Congolese Soukous meets Cuban Salsa with a little Rumba sprinkled on top. The dance floor is always at their mercy. Plus DJ Gerry Lyseight, great food and a lovely crowd
The Portico reopens – Mambista returns – September 3rd with Soothsayers
The Portico, 23a, Knights Hill, West Norwood, se27 0hs Map
Portico Relaunch Mambista!About this eventSoothsayers+ DJ Gerry LyseightDoors: 8 – LateHot Food!£12 on the door. Card OnlyThere was no Portico – no Mambista at Portico – for 18 months. But we’re back onSeptember 3rd as The Portico reopens its welcoming doors.And there is no better way to celebrate the re-opening of The Portico, and Mambista’s return to the fold, than in the company of the uplifting, inclusive, funked-up afrobeats, reggae riddims, dubwise and jazzadelica of Soothsayers.Soothsayers recently released their excellent 9th album, We Are Many; sold out the Jazz Café in June; as well selling out a glorious Mambista session in Brockwell Park Community Greenhouses in July, and it is always a pleasure to have them.
Mambista – Ghana Independence Day Party – Yung Afrika Pioneers
Mambista23a Knights HillLondon,SE27 0HS Map
A Celebration of HighLife Music visiting the classics from the hey days of HighLife, featuring E T Mensah, Jerry Hansen and the Ramblers, Dr Victor Olaiya, Cardinal Rex Lawson and more….Mambista, aka The Latin, African and Jazz Dance Party, revs up next on Friday March 6th (Ghana Independence Day) with Yung Afrika Pioneers dropping a selection of classic HighLife and Palmwine guitar music from Ghana, Nigeria and Sierra Leone; spanning classics from the 50s the 60s and the 70s. Y.A.P is made up of veterans of the HighLife era as well as Younger musicians from the London music scene.
Mambista at the Portico Gallery
23a Knights Hill, London, SE27 0HS, United Kingdom Map
Mambista, aka The Latin, African and Jazz Dance Party, revs up next on Friday March 6th with Yung Afrika Pioneers dropping a selection of classic HighLife and Palmwine guitar music from Ghana, Nigeria and Sierra Leone; spanning classics from the 50s the 60s and the 70s. Y.A.P is made up of veterans of the HighLife era as well as Younger musicians from the London music scene. They rock, without forgetting to roll!
Mambista23a Knights HillLondon,SE27 0HS Map
Mambista returns in 2020 with the fabulous Conjunto Sabroso playing wild and wonderful salsa caliente to help bring an end to these dark winter days.February 7th will be a fantastic night dancing to this incredible band and to DJ Gerry Lyseight spinning his own special selection of music from around the world.
Mambista New Year’s Eve Wing Ding
Portico Gallery
Mambista’s New Year’s Eve Wing Ding – feat. Grupo Lokito liveMambista closes the curtains on 2019 with one of our faves, Grupo Lokito and their dancefloor mix of Congolese Soukous and Cuban Salsa fire.Grupo Lokito will be playing the ultimate live Mambista set for 2019, when The Mambista Mash Up takes over until Grupo Lokito treat one and all to a second set, as we hotfoot it into 2020£20 at www.porticogallery.org.uk +++Complimentary mulled wine and party paraphernalia +++
Mambista New Year’s Eve Wing Ding with Grupo Lokito live!
Mambista23a Knights HillLondon,SE27 0HS Map
Mambista’s New Year’s Eve Wing Ding with Grupo Lokito, playing 2 sets, mixing up Congolese Soukous and Cuban Salsa: one in 2019 and one in 2020!! 9pm – late. Early bird tickets on sale now at £15 from www.porticogallery.org.uk/calevent/new-years-eve-wingding/ until the end of November when the price will be £20. Grupo Lokito have played Mambista a few times before and always bring their A Game!!FB: MambistaTwitter: Mambista1www.porticogallery.org.uk
Mambista at the Portico Gallery
Portico Gallery23A Knight's HillLondon,SE27 0HS Map
Mambista is back on December 6th with Jamaican saxophonist, Ray Carless & Club Skaaville Allstars playing Windrush Celebration Jazz, Ska and Reggae grooves to get us all in the festive spirit. Ray Carless is a talented Jamaican saxophonist whose musical career spans close to 50 years.Ray started started out on his musical journey working with a wide variety of pop jazz reggae brit-funk and African bands.He's played with groups like Cymande, ABC, Incognito, Jazz Warriors, Jazz Jamaica, Maxi Priest, Billy Ocean, Manu Dibango and Brit Funk Association.Alongside Ray, Club Skaaville Allstars feature Cameron Pierre and Alan Weekes on Guitars, Dennis Davis on Bass and Gary Williams on Drums: putting some Reggae in Your Jeggae!!
Mambista 5th Birthday Party with Los Domingos live
Mambista23a Knights HillLondon,SE27 0HS Map
Los Domingos+DJ Gerry Lyseight Doors: 8 – LateAdvance tix: £8 from www.porticogallery.org.uk £10 on the door Mambista returns on November 1st for our 5th Birthday Partee with the Big Band Salsa of Los Domingos and their exhilarating Latin and Afro Cuban. They are one of the hottest bands on the London salsa scene. Featuring superb vocals, backed by a driving rhythm section and heady horns. Energetic and diverse; Afro Cuban salsa, mambo and cha-cha-cha classics. Make sure to keep the first Friday of the month free for Mambista aka The Latin, African and Jazz Dance Party. You know it makes sense
Mambista – African Jazz Quartet + DJ Gerry Lyseight – 4/10/19
Mambista23a Knights HillLondon,SE27 0HS Map
The Portico Gallery�23a Knights Hill, West Norwood�SE27 0HSAfrican Jazz Quartet +DJ Gerry Lyseight Doors: 8 – LateAdvance tix: £8 from www.porticogallery.org.uk £10 on the door Mambista returns on October 4th with the African Jazz Quartet bringing South African Township Jazz and Highlife grooves in their wake. Featuring the fantabulous Frank Williams on Tenor Sax, Dan Waldman on Guitar, Michael Curtis Ruiz pon de Bass and Oheneba Kofi Adu on drums and percussion.Hope you’ve had a wonderful summer, however you spent it now it’s time to Put Your Hand on Your Hip and Let Your Backbone Slip!!Make sure to keep the first Friday of the month free for Mambista aka The Latin, African and Jazz Dance Party. You know it makes sense especially in times such as these!November 1st – Los Domingos (Big Band Salsa)December 6th – Ray Carless & Club Skaaville Allstars (Ska, Blue Beat + Jazz)FB: MambistaTwitter: Mambista1www.porticogallery.org.uk
El Swing – Salsa at The Portico Gallery
Mambista23a Knights HillLondon,SE27 0HS Map
El SwingHot Salsa night in West Norwood. This Friday July 12!! Ahi na ma.Salsa comes to The Portico GalleryThis Friday July 12, El Swing hits the dancefloor with the return of the spanking new monthly night of the very best in Salsa – from the hottest new salsa dura to the deepest, classic Fania – and all the amazing stuff in between.The DJs: Johnny Gee, Dave Hucker, Carey Lyseight and Gerry Lyseight have hosted some of London’s most legendary club nights.The salsa dance class kicks off at 7.30 – led by Yamile – before the club night gets into gear at 8.30 for 100% Lean Latin through until midnight.Salsa caliente. 100% Lean Latin guaranteed !!
Mambista – June 7th with Soothsayers + Youthsayers live
Mambista23a Knights HillLondon,SE27 0HS Map
Guaranteed party-starters, Wah Wah 45 recording artistes and Mambista favourites, Soothsayers, return with extra-added Youthsayers, aka, their young protégées in the sumptuous art of blending Dub, Reggae, Afrobeat and Jazz for the dancefloor! Plus DJ Gerry Lyseight with the patented Mambista Mash Up on the decks
Mambista – May 3rd The Gary Baldwin Quartet ft Roger Beaujolais
Mambista23a Knights HillLondon,SE27 0HS Map
Mambista May 3rdThe Portico Gallery 23a Knights Hill, SE27 0HSThe Gary Baldwin Quartet feat. Roger Beaujolais+DJ Gerry Lyseight Doors: 8 – LateAdvance tix: £8 from www.porticogallery.org.uk £10 on the door For the penultimate Mambista before our summer break we bring you funky, greasy downhome Soul Jazz, guaranteed to make your backbone slip, courtesy of The Gary Baldwin Quartet feat. Roger Beaujolais. Gary is a Hammond organ specialist who’s worked with Tommy Chase, Georgie Fame, The Echoes Of Ellington Orchestra and Imelda May – as well as studio work with Portishead and Morcheeba. Roger Beaujolais features on Vibraphone with a CV boasting The Chevalier Brothers, Acid Jazz-signed Vibraphonic and The Beaujolais Band, as well as sessions with everyone from Robert Plant to Alexander O’Neal to Kirsty MacColl. The band is completed by Simon Fernsby on guitar & Pete Cater on drums who are featured on the recently album "Point Blank" by Tony Kofi & the Organisation
Mambista – April 5th – Balkan Beats with Balkanatics live
Mambista23a Knights HillLondon,SE27 0HS Map
Mambista April 5thThe Portico Gallery 23a Knights Hill, SE27 0HSBalkanatics+DJ Gerry Lyseight Doors: 8 – LateAdvance tix: £8 from www.porticogallery.org.uk £10 on the door On April 5th we’re bringing Balkan Beats courtesy of Balkanatics who are the original Balkan brass band from London featuring a mix of British and Balkan musicians playing the wild rhythmic music from the region. Big thanks to last Friday’s live band, Awalé, purveyors of live Senegalese Soul (nb Mambista FB page for pics) and special thanks to the very nice crowd who came down to dance, chat, eat and generally make merry. Make sure to keep the first Friday of the month free for Mambista aka The Latin, African and Jazz Dance Party. You know it makes sense!Coming up:May 3rd Serious Hammond and Vibes-led, Acid Jazz, with The Gary Baldwin Quartet feat. Roger Beaujolais
Mambista – April 5th – Balkanatics live
Mambista23a Knights HillLondon,SE27 0HS Map
On April 5th we’re bringing Balkan Beats courtesy of Balkanatics who are the original Balkan brass band from London featuring a mix of British and Balkan musicians playing the wild rhythmic music from the region.