Full description

Judith Sodji was born in Aného, Togo. She has been singing since an early age, and her father taught her the traditions and ceremonies of his home village of Agouén Adjigo.

Judith and Lasse Jalava met in Grand Popo in 2002, and started making music together. Judith moved to Finland in 2003,  and after an 18-month rehearsal period they had created enough material to form Ampiaba. Other members of the band include djémbe-player Jorma Nieminen, and bassist Eero Tikkanen.

The band mainly performs their own songs (by Sodji & Jalava). Their style is melodic, ranging from lyrical ballads to danceable funk. They have drawn inspiration from traditional Togolese music, West African and Latin American music, as well as blues.

All the band’s lyrics are written by Judith, in either French or in her native Mina, and she has also composed some of the songs. Lasse has composed most of the songs. The band also performs some songs by a Togolese singer-songwriter Bella Bellow.

The ensemble of the band is flexible: they can perform as a quartet, a trio or as a guitar & voice duo.