Fresh from the muddy killing fields of Electric Picnic, where he played a rapturously received set, the supremely talented Niwel Tsumbu will appear at De Barras during the Clonakilty Guitar Festival. Since his arrival in Cork in 2004 from his war torn homeland of the Congo, Niwel has developed an enviable reputation as an elegant and fluent guitarist, vocalist and composer. The new album 'Song of the Nations' perfectly showcases his ability to vividly blend African rhythms, rumba, new jazz, classical flamenco and more.

Playing electric and acoustic guitars and singing mostly in his native 'Lingala', Niwel performs a range of music that stretches from contemporary versions of Congolese traditional music from the 1930s and 40s to modern Jazz.

Niwel has been wowing audiences and critics alike with concerts nationwide in support of the new album which is on release since late March. Antidotes to the recession don't come much more potent than this. Tsumbu takes his audience on a journey of discovery that traverses the peaks and troughs of life's unpredictable terrain with startling precision. He gives full rein to a sweep of syncopated rhythms that have many of his punters grasping and gasping to keep up.

Since his arrival in Cork in 2004 from his war torn homeland of the Congo, Niwel has developed an enviable reputation as an elegant and fluent guitarist, vocalist and composer. The new album 'Song of the Nations' perfectly showcases his ability to vividly blend African rhythms, rumba, new jazz, classical flamenco and more. Playing electric and acoustic guitars and singing mostly in his native 'Lingala', Niwel performs a range of music that stretches from contemporary versions of Congolese traditional music from the 1930s and 40s to modern Jazz.

The concert is an all-ages show so both young and older fans can enjoy the Congolese native's wildfire guitar playing and compositions. Other headline artists at the festival include Scott Mathews, Eric Bell and Charlie Parr.

Niwel has had a hectic summer with concerts at Electric Picnic, Festival of World Cultures, Africa Day, Midsummer Festival, Doonbeg Jazz Festival, Wexford Arts Centre, Cairde Festival in Sligo and Life Festival in Navan. The coming year will be even busier with a live album, new studio album, film soundtrack, theatre commission and more concerts lined up!

Niwel Tsumbu plays De Barra's Folk Club in Clonakity on Sunday 20 September at 3pm. For more information call 023-8833381 or check out www.clonguitarfest.com.

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