pianist & musician

baraka issabu

Years in music: 15+
Albums, both 2026: 2
Based in: Helsinki

pianist Performer Composer Educator

“Baraka stands out for his rare ability to fuse East African rhythmic languages with jazz improvisation into a clear, contemporary sound. He turns groove, body percussion, and interlocking patterns into strong compositional ideas, not just accompaniment, creating music that is both sophisticated and immediately felt. Just as importantly, he connects performance, composition, and education into one community-centered practice, giving his work depth and real cultural purpose.”

IThe Music

Watch

Mashujaa — live session Recorded for the Genelec Music Channel

IIThe Player

About Me

Baraka Issabu is a Tanzanian pianist, music educator, composer, arranger, and producer based in Helsinki, Finland. Rooted in East African musical traditions, his work blends traditional rhythms and melodic language with Afrojazz, Afro-fusion and Jazz, with the piano as the core storytelling instrument. Through his involvement with the East Africa Global Music Campus (Tanzania), Baraka has deepened his practice in documenting, performing and transmitting regional music cultures. In 2023, he moved to Finland to pursue his Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in the Global Music Programme at Sibelius Academy, expanding his artistic horizons through rigorous study and intercultural collaboration.

IIIThe Work

Live & Studio

I perform in settings ranging from intimate concert halls to high-energy club nights and festival stages. Sets can be tailored to your program—solo piano, small ensemble, or full band—with space for improvisation, dynamic builds, and deep rhythmic interlocking. Available formats Solo / Duo: piano-led storytelling with flexible dynamics and intimate detail Ensemble / Quintet: Afro-jazz & Afro-fusion repertoire with extended grooves and improvisation Concert + workshop programs: rhythm-led learning sessions followed by a performance or sharing

In the studio, I work as a pianist/keyboardist, composer, arranger, and producer, shaping recordings that keep the rhythmic DNA clear while serving the song and the artist’s vision. I’m available for both on-site and remote collaborations depending on the project.

Studio services

Session piano/keys (tracks, albums, live session recordings)
Composition for recordings, film, and interdisciplinary projects
Arranging for bands/ensembles (groove architecture, horn lines, harmony, form)
Pre-production support: structure, tempo mapping, rehearsal planning, and demo development