RUMBA EVOLUTION ~Book Launch/Soukouss Party~

The Cedar Presents

RUMBA EVOLUTION ~Book Launch/Soukouss Party~

Friday, March 7, 2025 / Doors: 7:00 PM / Show: 8:00 PM

All Ages

Mixed Seated and Standing

$20 Advance, $25 Day of Show

This is a seated and standing show with general admission, first-come-first-served seating. The Cedar is happy to reserve seats for patrons who require special seating accommodations. To request access accommodations, please go to our

For Cedar presented shows, online ticket sales typically end one hour before the door time, and then, based on availability, tickets will be available at the door.

Rumba Evolution is a captivating, informative journey of how a type of music unwillingly left Africa in slave ships, went to Cuba, and then to the rest of the world before returning home to Africa as Congolese rumba music became a global phenomenon. Rumba Evolution is an informative voyage to explore rumba’s origins, spread, transformation and influences, and how it became one of the most popular genres in the world. Please join us as we celebrate author George ' Jojo' Ndege as he discusses his book along with live music from Yusuf Shalita and Bandasson.

Jojo knows cooking and music.

Chef Jojo, is the owner/chef of Tamu Grill and Catering, a Kenyan fusion restaurant here in the Cedar Riverside neighborhood.

After an unfulfilling stint as a marketing specialist in corporate America, he got into the food business - needing to engage in a field that he had a passion for. He got into the music promotion business as a side hustle. At the same time, he learned to cook professionally at an African restaurant here in Minnesota in exchange for his marketing skills and later became a partner. After four years, he left and started his own catering business and, two years later, opened Tamu Grill and Catering, which is family-run. Chef Jojo opened Tamu in November of 2021 at the height of the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Growing up in Nairobi, Kenya, Jojo was exposed to Kenyan, Indian, and Middle Eastern food. He learned to make West African food. His spouse is from Southeast Asia, and they now call Minnesota home. While his primary influence is Kenyan cooking, he incorporates all these other cultures he has been privileged to be part of to create dishes that are Kenyan but uniquely Chef Jojo’s creation and genuinely cross-cultural. Blending spices and herbs to create flavorful dishes from affordable everyday foods. He does not believe one has to be wealthy to enjoy delicious food! He cooks from his heart!

Music is woven into his life with love. Volunteering at Fresh Air Community Radio 90.3 FM every Sunday from noon to 2:00 pm CST. Co-host of African Rhythms, a radio program that features African music from the continent and the diaspora.

In 2021, Jojo published Rumba Evolution. A captivating informative journey of how a type of music unwillingly left Africa in slave ships, went to Cuba, and then to the rest of the world before returning home to Africa as Congolese rumba music and becoming a global phenomenon. Rumba Evolution is an informative voyage to explore rumba’s origins, spread, transformation and influences, and how it became one of the most popular genres in the world. If you are a fan and have been wondering where rumba music originated from, and why it is so popular, wonder no more! A must-read for all rumba fans and music lovers in general and available for purchase, tonight, as we celebrate its launch with excerpts read by the author and live music.

To learn more about George 'Jojo' Ndege:

• Visit his Instagram page here

Yusuf Shalita is literally the face of African music in Minnesota. With Ugandan and Tanzanian parentage and having lived in Kenya, he considers himself East African. In 1979, Shalita moved to Minneapolis and soon joined Sweet Taste of Africa as the lead guitarist and singer for the first African band in Minnesota. He also plays drums, marimba, and African hand drums. After the band split in 1982, he played with several local bands, such as Ipso Facto and Shangoya, before forming Shalita, a band that shared his name. The Shalita band was the main weekly attraction at the Blue Nile in Minneapolis for over a decade. Shalita's band released an album before breaking up in 1999. Shalita continued to play solo gigs and with several other local bands, including Marimba Africa Band. He is working on a new album to be released in late 2025. Having a person with such musical diversity and experience here in Minnesota is an honor. Shalita will sing and play rumba guitar tonight.

An accomplished songwriter and singer, Bandasson is originally from Kenya, East Africa. He moved to Minnesota in 2018 and has been performing nationwide to primarily Kenyan music fans. His music is a fusion of Congolese rumba and Kenyan benga music. As the founder and frontman of Patron Musica band, his silky voice has been influential on the Kenyan music scene for nearly two decades. Apart from touring and performing across Kenya, Bandasson, fluent in Swahili, English, Luo, and Congolese Lingala, has churned out numerous songs that have enjoyed extensive airplay on Kenyan radio stations. His most popular songs include Hera Boka Rao, Tsunami, and Nyisuba. 

To learn more about Bandasson:

• Visit his Instagram page here

Born and raised in Tanzania, Innocent moved to Minnesota in 1987. Although he is known as a reggae artist, Innocent started his early music career as an African rumba guitarist and singer in his homeland. He converted to reggae music after moving to Minnesota. As the lead singer and guitarist for Les Exodus Band, he produced two albums and toured extensively with the band for several years under the sponsorship of Budweiser.

Kilimanjaro was Innocent and Les Exodus’ first album. Released in 1993, Reggae Report magazine voted Kilimanjaro one of the top 10 independent releases, and Beat magazine gave impressive reviews. That same year, the Minnesota Music Academy voted Innocent Minnesota’s best male vocalist and Les Exodus the best world beat group.

In 1996, Innocent released his first solo album, Greetings from Africa. His first single, Sote Ni Ndugu, became the first Reggae song to claim the number-one spot on Radio Tanzania and stayed there for eight weeks. Most of Innocent’s songs are in English, but he also sings in Swahili, his native language. He still loves playing his rumba guitar and will showcase his skills on March 7 at the Cedar Cultural Center during the launch of Rumba Evolution, a book about African rumba music.

Diatoti is a Congolese-American singer, songwriter, and dancer who moved to Minnesota from her native Congo DRC at twelve. Her music is rooted in the rich African storytelling tradition and vocal improvisation. Diatoti’s music blends Congolese rumba, R&B, and other contemporary sounds. With an EP and several singles under her belt, she has performed extensively across Minnesota and the US, including Bayfront Reggae and World Music Festival in Duluth and the Minnesota State Fair. Diatoti will perform on March 7 at the Cedar Cultural Center during the launch of Rumba Evolution, a book about African rumba music.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

The Cedar Cultural Center, 416 Cedar Avenue South, Minneapolis, United States