Constantly reinventing itself, the London scene is once again in the spotlight at the Grande Halle de La Villette, featuring a rising star—the saxophonist Venna and his effortlessly fluid blends—and an established favorite: the collective Kokoroko, masters of groove.
With effortless ease, Kokoroko proves there is life after a hit as popular as “Abusey Junction,” the mellow groove that brought the group to prominence in 2019. Since then, the London octet has built a strong live reputation, delivering vibrant concerts that notably left their mark on two editions of Jazz à la Villette. Its discography is equally impressive, with Could We Be More (2022)—a brass-filled gem perfectly balanced between the energy of afrobeat and the smoothness of soul-tinged jazz—and Tuff Times Never Last (2025). On this second album, the group embraces radiant optimism and tighter, more structured songwriting, with grooves still inspired by afro-jazz rhythms and songs rich in intertwined vocals and brass. Released in March 2026, the live EP From Metropolis Studios perfectly captures the group’s radiant energy on stage.
Source: paris.fr — photo: © Delali Ayivi