About Us

Kayou Jazz Club

Founded by Cameroonian saxophonist Kayou, is a social enterprise dedicated to using music for social change. We nurture talent and foster development in African communities through two key initiatives:

1. The Orchestra at School: This program offers underprivileged children in Africa access to music education, helping them build life skills like confidence, teamwork, and discipline.

2. Swing Back to the Roots: By blending African rhythms with modern jazz, we reconnect jazz with its African roots, promoting African music globally while supporting our education programs.

At Kayou Jazz Club, we believe music empowers future generations and celebrates Africa’s cultural legacy.

Our Projects

  • The Orchestra at School

    In 2016, Kayou introduced music to children from underprivileged backgrounds in Cameroon—many of whom had never touched an instrument. As they picked up their instruments, curiosity turned into excitement. These children weren’t just learning music; they were building confidence, teamwork, and discovering their potential.

    Since then, The Orchestra at School has reached hundreds of children, teaching them life skills that go beyond the classroom—discipline, creativity, and a sense of belonging. The program has transformed their lives, improved school performance and strengthening social connections.

  • Swing Back to the Roots

    Kayou always believed in the deep connection between African music and jazz. Reflecting on Africa’s rhythms that shaped jazz, he realized this cultural legacy remained underexplored globally—sparking the creation of Swing Back to the Roots.

    This project is more than music; it celebrates Africa’s diverse heritage by blending traditional African rhythms with modern jazz. Through collaborations with global musicians, Kayou Jazz Club creates a unique cultural fusion that transcends performances, fostering deep cross-cultural learning.

    Revenue from Swing Back to the Roots supports the Orchestra at School, helping more African children access music education. By preserving and evolving African music, Kayou Jazz Club empowers future generations.

Team

Kayou

A celebrated Cameroonian saxophonist and graduate of the Conservatoire of Cergy-Pontoise in France, founded Kayou Jazz Club to harness music for social change. Having performed with icons like Manu Dibango and Youssou N'Dour, he launched The Orchestra at School in 2016, providing music education to underprivileged children in Cameroon and nurturing skills like confidence and teamwork.

Yannick Noumou

Joining him is Yannick Nkoumou, a Senior Consultant in social and behavior change, who co-founded the club, convinced of music’s power to drive Africa’s development. With expertise in strategic management, Yannick ensures the smooth running of all projects, blending his passion for art with social impact.

Contact US

We’d love to hear from you! Whether you have questions, want to get involved, or simply want to connect, reach out to us:

  • info@kayoujazzclub.com
  • +237 691 141 359 / +237 6 51 72 66 34
  • Yaoundé, Zone Cacaoyère, Fougerolles