Keziah Jones, the Nigerian singer, shut down the Saudi Arabia Museum of Contemporary Art at Jax (SAMoCA at JAX) on Wednesday night with an electrifying performance.
The event marked Jones’s highly anticipated debut in Riyadh, where he enthralled the audience with his unique musical fusion.
His signature ‘Blufunk’ sound — a vibrant blend of blues, funk, and global rhythms — filled the air for a set that was both high-energy and deeply resonant.
Demonstrating exceptional guitar work and a magnetic stage presence, Jones, 57, moved effortlessly from driving funk grooves to soulful blues passages, interspersed with moments of intimate storytelling.
His setlist, which blended fan favourites with improvisational brilliance, drew heavily on his Yoruba heritage while incorporating elements of soul, jazz, and rock.
The evening perfectly embodied the mission of the SAFAR programme, which aims to present diverse musical voices and foster cross-cultural dialogue through live performance.
The series is a key part of SAMoCA’s programming, running alongside the BIENALSUR 2025 international art event and continuing until December 2025.
SAFAR launched on October 28, with an electric concert by the French musical collective Bon Entendeur, setting a high bar for the eclectic lineup to follow.
The series continues next month with a return engagement by the multimedia duo Love & Revenge. They will present ‘Agmal Layali,’ a bold reimagining of Oum Kalthoum’s timeless legacy, marking the 50th anniversary of her passing.
The performance remixes some of the iconic singer’s most famous pieces with contemporary electronic music, layered with cinematic visuals for a multisensory experience.
Love & Revenge will first deliver a workshop on December 7, followed by their main performance at the SAMoCA at JAX outdoor arena on December 8.
Below are photos from the event.
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