World of Music: Kaleta & Super Yamba Band (Afrobeat and Jùjú)

Kaleta & Super Yamba Band are a Brooklyn‑based afro‑funk ensemble led by Afrobeat and Jùjú veteran Leon Ligan‑Majek, known as Kaleta, blending West African traditions with global funk and psychedelic grooves. On November 18, they’ll bring their unique sound to the Alphabet City stage.

Featured Musicians:

Kaleta: vocals, guitar
Joe Yount: drumset
Evan Frierson: percussion
Prince Amu: bass, background vocals
Eric Burns: guitar, background vocals
Walter Fancourt: sax, flute, keyboards, background vocals
Sean Smith: trumpet, keyboards, background vocals

About the Artist:

Brooklyn’s Kaleta & Super Yamba Band are fronted by Afrobeat and Jùjú veteran Leon Ligan-Majek a.k.a. Kaleta. The singer/guitarist from the West African country of Benin Republic lived his adolescent life in Lagos, Nigeria where Afrobeat was born. Kaleta’s guitar chops earned him decades of touring and recording with Fela Kuti, King Sunny Ade, Lauryn Hill and more. Kaleta got his start in the late 70s performing in church and was soon after picked up by iconic Juju master and world music pioneer King Sunny Ade. A few years later, Fela Kuti came calling. Kaleta would go on to tour the world playing guitar for the King of Afrobeat in his storied band Egypt 80 through the 1980s and into the 1990s. Now based in New York City, Kaleta has been leading Super Yamba Band since 2017.

About Your Visit:

The in-house restaurant, Alfabeto, is open for dinner from 5 to 10 p.m. Please visit OpenTable or call 412-435-1111 to make a reservation.