Obase-Aboli is a Cameroonian, UK-based Pan-African musician, chromatic balafonist, and music educator whose work crosses borders, genres, and communities. Inspired by the legacy of artists such as Francis Bebey, Obase-Aboli combines innovative musicianship with music education, research, and cultural advocacy.
With over a decade of professional experience as both a performer and educator, he has worked with students from diverse backgrounds, blending academic rigour with traditional oral music practices. His teaching philosophy centres on creativity, cultural literacy, and self-expression, encouraging learners to experience music not only as an art form, but also as a cultural language and a tool for personal and social transformation.
Early Years and Classical Foundations
Obase-Aboli’s musical journey began at Bishop Rogan Minor Seminary in Cameroon, where he was immersed in classical music training. His talent was quickly recognised, and by his fourth year he had become the school’s lead Balafonist and Music prefect. During this period, he composed his first classical piece and won Best Conductor at an all-Catholic schools’ choral competition. Shortly after completing his Advanced Level studies, he was invited to teach music at Birocol.
At university, his reputation grew further as an accomplished music director, pianist, and percussionist, leading and directing several choirs and ensembles.
Jazz Exploration and Global Breakthrough
A move to Abu Dhabi marked a turning point in his artistic development. There, he took an introductory jazz course at New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD), which sparked a deep interest in blending jazz with African rhythmic traditions such as Songo, Makossa, Agbadja, and Rhumba.
A pivotal moment came when he worked as a French–English translator for legendary Malian balafonist Fodé Lassana Diabaté during the Kronos Quartet’s 50 for the Future project. This experience introduced him to the chromatic balafon, an instrument that would significantly shape his musical direction.
During this period, Obase-Aboli also performed as a tenor singer with the Abu Dhabi National Symphony Orchestra that accompanied Andrea Boceli in Abu dhabi in his 2016 sONGS OF love Asia tour. He was also a member of the Blue Fever Jazz A Cappella Group. In 2015, he delivered a powerful TEDx talk at NYUAD, sharing his journey as a musician navigating cultural expectations within an African family where careers such as medicine or law were traditionally prioritised. He has also been a vocal advocate for children with autism, supporting the cause through performances including events for UAE National Autism Day.
It was in Abu Dhabi that Obase-Aboli worked with greats like Salif Keita, Cheik Titiane Seck, Les Ambassadeur du Hotel Bamako, Kronos quartet, Fred Wesley and Pee Wee Elis of James Brown and many more.
African Rhythms and Fusion Projects
Driven by a desire to reconnect more deeply with African musical traditions, Obase-Aboli relocated to Ghana in 2016. There, he immersed himself in Highlife and other traditional African genres and produced his critically acclaimed album Ujhasuma Africa. He collaborated with iconic musicians such as Gyedu-Blay Ambolley, Bessa Simons, and Akablay, and performed as a balafonist with the Accra Symphony Orchestra and Kentos Afro Beats Band.
Music Education, Leadership, and Social Impact
Now based in the United Kingdom, Obase-Aboli has served as Head of Music at Northgate High School and Dereham Sixth Form College, and holds a Postgraduate Certificate in Music Education. He is currently developing a career in applied, inclusive, and restorative music education, with a particular focus on music education in prisons, refugee centres, foster homes, and underserved communities.
A TED Fellow and respected cultural ambassador, he has represented African musical traditions internationally through performances, workshops, and educational programmes. Having worked as Head of Music across secondary schools and colleges in the UK, he is especially engaged in exploring how music can support rehabilitation, identity, and personal transformation within prison settings.
He is the founder of Ujhasuma Africa CIC, through which he delivers alternative music provision alongside his work at MK College. His artistic practice is guided by a commitment to cultural exchange, artistic excellence, and the preservation and modernisation of indigenous music traditions.
Composition, Performance, and Ongoing Work
Obase-Aboli continues to tour the UK and internationally with his dynamic band, Ban’tikar – The African Spy Band. As a composer, he creates original works that blend African rhythmic structures with harmonic and formal elements drawn from Jazz and classical music. His compositions reflect a deep understanding of cross-cultural musical systems and a bold, forward-looking vision for African sound.
He continues to collaborate with artists, institutions, and cultural organisations worldwide, contributing to ongoing conversations around innovation, identity, and global music education.
Obase-Aboli is also the founder of Aboli Music, a creative and educational platform dedicated to research, music education, performance, and cultural development. Through Aboli Music, he leads projects that support emerging artists, promote indigenous music, and create sustainable pathways for artistic growth and global engagement.
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Obase-Aboli is an exceptional Pan-African musician, chromatic balafonist, and music educator whose work bridges artistic excellence, cultural heritage, and social impact. With over a decade of international experience across Africa, the Middle East, and the UK, he combines African rhythmic traditions with jazz and classical forms, while using music as a powerful tool for education, inclusion, and personal transformation. A TED Fellow and former Head of Music in UK secondary and post-16 education, Obase-Aboli brings rare depth as both a performer and leader, particularly in applied and restorative music education within prisons and underserved communities. His practice reflects integrity, vision, and an unwavering commitment to using music to connect cultures, empower individuals, and reimagine the future of African sound and global music education.