Further Information

Issamwera is an Icelandic Afro-Latin Jazz band that delights the audience with their exotic rhythms and jazzy vibes. The meaning comes from blending the meanings of local Mozambican language "samwera" = "to come" and Icelandic Language "Samvera" = "togetherness", creating a new meaning "Welcome".

Help us release our album

An upcoming afro fusion band that delight the audience with their African rhythms, jazzy vibes and soulful sounds, was formed in 2013 when Yara, more popularly known as "monace", started to feel what she calls “the screams of rhythms” due to absence of african music around her. Few years back, Yara began to play drums as a solution to the scarce drummers market and to spread the screams of rhythms, she joined forces with Kwami Obaioni on Percussion, Ingolfur Arason on Guitar, Ellert Schram on Keys, Cheick Bangoura on Percussion and dance, and Andres on Bass. Which together created ISSAMWERA.

Check us live at Kaldibar

The band has already performed in different venues, including the Kaffi Vinyl and Kaldi Bar/ Café in Reykjavík, Iceland. Issamwera may be new, but they are eager to bring Latin America and Africa to the people through their high energetic performances. There are not a lot of Afro and Latin bands in Iceland as they are isolated from continental Europe. Issamwera is trying to contribute in a unique way to society by bringing diversity and focus on female empowerment in the music industry. The band aims to keep roots while trying to innovate at the same time. They want to impact the world of people of color living in Iceland and other Scandinavian countries through music creativity and art, bringing in the organic lifestyle and tribal experiences of African societies.

This is us Ingolfur guitar, Kwami percussion, Ellert Keyboard, Yara Drums, Jacob bass (sessioning for Andres)

Follow us on social media:
Instagram: @issamweraband
Facebook: @issamweraband

A full house concert at Kaffi Vinyl 2018.