Zem Audu is a Grammy-winning saxophonist, producer, and sonic visionary, blending Afrofuturist spirit with global groove to create a sound that’s both rebellious and elevating.

Born in Nigeria, raised in the UK, and based in Brooklyn, Zem’s journey is a transcontinental rhythm odyssey. A graduate of Trinity College of Music and a formative presence in London’s groundbreaking Tomorrow’s Warriors scene, he emerged from a generation of boundary-pushing musicians who reshaped UK jazz through fearless creativity and radical expression.

His critically acclaimed jazz album Spirits—featuring legendary guitarist Mike Stern—marked a milestone in his evolution as a bandleader and improviser. While his current direction moves beyond jazz, Spirits remains a powerful testament to his roots in soulful, expressive musicianship.

After relocating to New York, Zem became a fixture at Harlem’s iconic St. Nick’s Pub, where greats like Gregory Porter honed their craft, and later toured globally with reggae legends The Skatalites. As a saxophonist and producer, he’s brought his genre-bending voice to collaborations with Taylor Swift, Bleachers, Kendrick Lamar, Steel Pulse, and more.

Now stepping boldly into his own light, Zem fuses afrobeat, electronic textures, cinematic jazz, and dance-floor energy into a magnetic new sound. His upcoming EP You Can’t Catch Me is a statement of transformation—spiritual, physical, and sonic.

Whether leading with his horn or sculpting beats behind the boards, Zem Audu makes music for movers: body, mind, and soul.

Global Stage Experience

Zem Audu live at Ostróda Reggae Festival 2014 with The Skatalites – Frontman (2014)

Before launching his solo global sound, Zem Audu toured internationally as frontman and featured saxophonist with reggae legends The Skatalites. This Ostroda Reggae Festival concert captures him leading one of the world’s most iconic bands in front of a massive audience—merging Caribbean rhythm, improvisation, and showmanship that continue to shape his work today.