Myele Manzanza

Rhythm resides deep in the spirit for drummer and composer Myele Manzanza. Raised in New Zealand by a Congolese master percussionist father, Manzanza has developed a singular voice that bridges jazz, electronic music, hip-hop, and African rhythm, all unified by a visceral, embodied sense of groove.

“I was raised around rhythm and always understood it as a physical relationship,” he says. “It moves you in every way.”. He first emerged as a founding member of the genre-blending group Electric Wire Hustle and quickly became a fixture in forward-thinking music circles. Collaborations with Detroit electronic music icons Theo Parrish and Recloose deepened his understanding of dance music’s rhythmic roots, while performances and mentorships with New Zealand artists like Jonathan Crayford, Mark de Clive-Lowe, Nathan Haines & Imon Starr, as well as international artists like Miguel Atwood-Ferguson, Omar, Ashley Henry, Ron Trent, & Kaidi Tatham have cemented his reputation as a versatile, in-demand player with an unmistakable feel.

Now based in London, Manzanza has become a vital presence in the city’s jazz and electronic scenes. Since 2021, he has hosted the monthly Late Late Show residency at the legendary Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club, serving as both bandleader and connector for an ever-evolving roster of improvisers and collaborators.