Biography

For those that missed Bumi’s latest performance, you still have a chance to hear her evocative voice and Neo-Blues inspired sounds on her upcoming EP album Feather Pearl, which is available now.

Over the years, she has captivated audiences through her live performances; from London cafes, bars and jazz haunts to the Royal Opera House. Her influences are wide ranging and include Bjork, Yinka Shonibare, Miles Davis, Nina Simone and Sade Adu, all of which have that same potent truth and conviction in their music.

“My musical journey is essentially about transcending boundaries and is an exploration of the relationship between art, experience and emotion. My work also encapsulates my evolution as a woman.”

Bumi is a dynamic contemporary African, acoustic Jazz-folk-soul singer songwriter whose style is inspired by her multicultural heritage. To enjoy Bumi’s music is to experience a mix of sound that combines jazz, high life rhythms, Afro-beat, reggae and blues melodies, infused with folk and delivered with soul. A sound rich in texture and stimulating lyrics.

Born in Glasgow, and raised between the tranquillity of a Nomadic desert town and the colourful excitement of Lagos in Nigeria; Bumi is now based in London after completing a degree in Fine Art Media & Visual Communication. Her music represents the journey of a modern African creative in the U.K.

Bumi’s says; “My experience in Nigeria as a woman of Yoruba and Igbo heritage living in Hausaland has shaped me. Though I still retain aspects of my British experiences of early childhood; I had a thick Glaswegian accent when we moved to Kano and still retain the Scottish attitude about being less uptight about life.”

As a singer/songwriter, Bumi is inspired by the journey of life, the emotional of the human experience and the opportunity to drive positive change through art and music.

Were she not a musician, a destiny in the arts would still be on the cards; Bumi is a painter and a freelance photographer, with exhibited works in the Truman Brewery and Cre8 Gallery Bumi continues to strive for her goal of “working with young people and women to help find their voices through the arts” She is a founding member of the F.R.I.D.A project (Female Revolution In Dance and Art) based in London and contributed a series of photographs inspired by the life and legacy of feminist cultural icon Frida Kahlo to the project. In her life as both a photographer and a musician, expressing her own truth, stimulating dialogue and adding experiences of beauty is what is most important to her.

Bumi has shared the stage with Muntu Valdo, Nneka, Shingai Shoniwa of the Noisettes, Asa, Keziah Jones, Tony Allen, Sona Jorbatheh and Kenny Thomas; building a fan base that’s is as diverse as her music.

In 2011, Bumi received the Womatt Best of British (BOB) Award for Best Solo Newcomer and was nominated for two BEFFTA awards “Best Female Act” and “Best Female UK Based Afro-Caribbean Act” in 2012. This year she was Nominated for AMA ‘Best Diaspora Act 2014

Her live performances have been going from strength to strength with outings in 2013 at Saluting the Black President Fela Kuti tribute and the London African Jazz Festival. Bumi also played at the Africa centre summer festival curated by Yinka Shonibare and at the opening of the George Oshodi’s Nigerian Monarch Centenary Exhibition. This year has seen her supporting critically acclaimed singer/songwriter Asa at her only UK gig, for her Bed of Stone tour, at London’s Union Chapel.

Bumi was also invited to contribute to the Vibes and Pressure compilation Album by founder Natty, which was released in July 2014.

Writing about one of her performances in Mobo, Liz Amadi says; “The night kicked off with an amazing set from the beautiful Bumi Thomas with her charming oneiric soul and delicate vocals which grabbed the crowd’s attention, and I’m sure that anyone who hadn’t seen this lady before would be an instant fan, as I was.”

For the latest Bumi Thomas news, like her fanpage on Facebook or follow her on Twitter.

Feather Pearl EP out now – listen and buy!