Nubiyan Twist is a nine-piece collective formed in 2011 at Leeds College of Music, led by guitarist and producer Tom Excell. Their sound pulls together jazz, afrobeat, soul, hip-hop and electronic elements into a big-band format that has earned them MOBO and AIM Award nominations and praise from NPR, Rolling Stone and Jazzwise. Over five studio albums they have collaborated with Nile Rodgers, Seun Kuti, Tony Allen, Fatoumata Diawara and Patrice Rushen, among others.
Nubiyan Twist released their fifth studio album 'Chasing Shadows' on 20 March 2026 via Strut Records, featuring Fatoumata Diawara, Joe Armon-Jones, Patrice Rushen and Bootie Brown.
The band undertook a full UK spring tour in April-May 2026, including dates in Newcastle, Leeds, Manchester, Glasgow, Edinburgh, London and Bristol.
Nubiyan Twist released the single 'Chasing Shadows' featuring Fatoumata Diawara on 29 October 2025, previewing the forthcoming album.
The band announced new music for 2025 with the uptempo single 'Breeze', following a sold-out show at Band on the Wall in 2024.
Nubiyan Twist released their fourth album 'Find Your Flame' on 3 May 2024, featuring Nile Rodgers and Seun Kuti, to widespread critical acclaim.
