Musicians
Tello Morgado - Percussionist
Percussionist Tello Morgado, was born and grew up in Angola and then lived in Portugal for few years before moving to London. Since arriving in London in the early 90’s Tello has forged a unique path in the UK music scene. A strong part of the New Jazz movement since early 2000’s,
Tello is an innovative musician, having played alongside luminaries such as Kaidi Tatham, Shabaka Hutchings, Robert Mitchell and Giles Peterson as well as various festivals for the legendary Jazz Re: Freshed family.
Whilst in Portugal, to research music from the Lusophone world, he performed with Lena d Agua ( Portugal) Tito Paris (Cabo Verde) Tony dudu (Guiné Bissau), Derito Tavares, Joao Oliveira, Tè Maçedo, (Lyrical Opera Angola Singer, and Marimba player), and Mario Rui Silva( Guitarist, researcher, composer and intellectual).
Tello has also featured in the bands of many diverse musicians including Jocelyn Brown, Leroy Burges, Leee Jhon/imagination, Zara McFarlane, Silhouette Brown, Kezia Jones, Guy Robin – Aka Jonas Blue & Nu – Civilisation Orchestra with Gary Crosby (Tomorrows Warriors) and much more…
At the age of 21, Tello spent a year in Brazil. Whilst there he attended several workshops and rehersals for the carnival at School of Samba Villa Isabel directed by the iconic Legend Samba musician Martinho Da Villa. Many years later while working as a session musician in London, he took a break and traveled to Havana in Cuba for 4 months to study with some great masters of Afrocuban traditional percussion and popular rhythms.
Music is a tradition that can be traced back through four generations of percussionists in Tello’s family. From his great-grandfather, Joao Dya Ngoma Mulogy, and his grandmother, Antonica Dya Geraldo, and his Grandfather Mestre Geraldo Lourenço Morgado, an accordionist, composer, choreographer, dynamic cultural promoter and a very respected musician as well as an icon of traditional
Massemba(Umbigadas), also known as ‘Rebita music and dance’. His major inspiration though was his uncle Joaozinho Morgado who is an internationally respected master. Tello has found exciting ways to bring elements of Angolan indigenous music to a new fusion incorporating Semba, Rebita, kilapanga, Brazilian, Afro latin Cuban, Zouk & Funk Rhythms.
In 2020 he represented Angola in the Universal Music’s Earth Orchestra project at the legendary Abbey Road studios and was commissioned by UNESCO to compose a song for the Green Citizens campaign. Having just finished his Masters degree in music at SOAS, as well as starting a podcast about world music & culture. Tello and Steam are a match made in groove heaven.
Performances & Collaborations
As Tello’s calibre of performance has grown, he has felt compelled to evolve his creative expression into co-production. He has recently completed works on his own studio where he continues to co-produce and collaborates with everyone from the up and coming artist as well as respected heavyweights from a wide variety of genres.
In addition to the many clubs and festivals Tello has performed at, he has also been requested to play at private events such as Mariah Carey (Birthday), Timbaland, Shaggy, Vivienne Westwood, British Royal Family, Alexander McQueen, Marc Jacobs, Stella Mcartney, Saudi Arabian Royal Family (The Ritz).
During his career, Tello has had the opportunity to share the stage with the likes of Radio Tarifa, Ojos De Brujo (Spain), Groove Armada, Jocelyn Brown, Gabriel, Leona Lewis, Blue as well as many others.
Tello thrives on collaborating and performing with artists from many musical backgrounds such as Afro Cuban Latin Music to Middle Eastern, Brazilian, African and European, with music styles from Pop Music, jazz, fusion, electronic, house, nu‐jazz, R’n’B, Soul, funk, classical and world.
Here is just a sample of some the artists he has had the pleasure of working with:
- Kad Achouri (UK/France)
- Nick Van Gelder (Jamiroquai)
- Ray Gaskins (Roy Ayers)
- Simon Bartholomew (Brand New Heavies)
- Ahmed Ghannoun (Middle‐Eastern Artist, Dubai)
- DJ/Producer Benny Bennasi (Italy)
- Eve Mendez (Uk/Brazil)
- Bruno E (Brazil)
- Jo Ngala (Cameroon)
- Derito Tavares (Angola)
- Joca Moreno (Angolan DJ/producer)
- Jonathan Espinoza (Hed KandiProducer, Spain)
- Patricia Marx (Brazil)
- Joaozinho Morgado (Angola)
- Lee John (Imagination)
- DegoMcFarlane (4hero, Producer/DJ)
- Silhouette Brown, Chris Jerome (Courtney Pine)
- Aronas, Mark De Clive‐Lowe,
- Leroy Burges,
- 2000black,
- Bugz‐in‐the‐attic,
- Agent K,
- Robert Mitchell,
- Kaidi Tatham, Noel
- McCoy, Maxi Jazz (Faithless)
- David Jordan
- Toni Laff (X‐Factor finalist)
- Leroy Burgess
- Jocelyn Brown
- Vanessa Freeman (Real People)
- Vula (Basement Jaxx)
Soundtrack credit for Carnival documentary (Movie)
Tello has performed and residencies at the following clubs:
- Boujis
- Amika
- Pangea
- Turnmills
- Ministry of Sound
- Studio Val Bonne
- Cafe De Paris
- Dolce
- China White
- Aura Mayfair Club
- Luxx Club
- Circus
- British Luxury Club
- Cocoon
- Momo’s
- Vinopolis
Also performing in the Middle East
- (Jordan, Dubai and Marrakech)
- Marbella (Puerto Buenos & Puento Romano Hotel & Resort)
- DJ/Percussion set at Pasha Lounge
In addition to his club performances…
Tello has also performed at many Festivals as well as appearing on TV and Radio:
- Glastonbury Festival
- North Sea Jazz Festival
- Reading Festival
- Womad (various locations)
- Banlieues Bleues (France)
- Pirineos Sur (Spain)
- Abu Dhabi International Jazz Festival
- South Port Weekender Festival
- Isle of White music Festival
- Art Rock (France)
- MIDEM International Music Festival (Cannes)
- Sandblast (Sahrawi Cultural Charity Festival)
- Kalabash Angola (Cultural évent)
- Musicas do Mundo (Portugal)
- Numerous regional TV appearances with various artists at FLY Global Music Culture Direct TV
- Portobello Nu‐Jazz Festival (documentary)
- International Cultural Market Fair (Kensington Hall)
- Tabernacle (Nu‐Jazz Festival)
- BBC Radio 1 Live (Gilles Peterson and others)
- BBC London Live MTV Base
- MBC Middle Eastern Broadcasting
- Co TPA International Flash (Portuguese/Angolan)
- TPA (Hora Quente) Caras Magazine (Interview)
- Newspaper and Radio Interview (Angola)
- Kensington Town Hall International Fair
- Vienne Jazz Festival 2010
Tello Morgado’s incredible talent and impressive list of accomplishments as an artist is matched only by his refreshing humility and contagious joy for life. Whether he is working one of the top clubs in the world, an intimate private gathering or is helping out a friend who needs some quality percussion laid down for a their track, he gives it his all and does so with a smile on his face.
His passion for music in all of its forms can’t be contained and he is never happier then when he is sharing that passion with others.
