Biography

Modibo Keita (performing under the name Simbo) is a multi-disciplinary artist and music entrepreneur. As a trombonist, he has recorded or performed with artists like Calypso Rose, Talib Kweli, The Digable Planets, Orchestre National de Jazz de Montréal, Clerel and Zach Zoya among others. Through his commitment to music education reform and on top of teaching regularly, Keita has led masterclasses and workshops at institutions like the University of Toronto and Augsburg University. As the artistic director and founder of The Shed Montréal, Modibo Keita has collaborated with musicians like Rich Brown, Melanie Charles, Jonathan Hoard and Tara Kannangara. As a cofounder of WE UP RE UP alongside Eric Revis (Branford Marsalis, Betty Carter), Nasheet Waits (Jason Moran, Andrew Hill) and J.D. Allen (Ron Carter, Dave Douglas), he has been working in creating spaces and opportunities for BIPOC musicians around the world to network.