Ras Judah & Culture Embassy Band

Ras Judah and Culture Embassy band is a Wellington-based, 10-piece international multicultural outfit, hence the name “Culture Embassy”.

The band’s musical style is an infusion Afro jazz and roots reggae. Culture Embassy started in Wellington back in early 2013 as a collaborative music project between Ras Judah and friends. Ras Judah hails from Botswana in Southern Africa. He has been playing music professionally for over two decades, has recorded three solo albums as well as work on several collaborative projects, including work with various musicians in Africa, Europe and here in Aotearoa. Ras Judah & Culture Embassy released their first album as a group in November 2015 in Wellington. In 2018 the band performed the Newtown Fair before embarking on a tour of the South Island which included a performance at the annual Nelson March fest. In 2019 Ras Judah and Culture Embassy performed at Cuba Dupa

Currently the band is preparing for a release of their new single “Not in my life”, scheduled for release on Friday, 12 February 2021.

The band membership includes of some of Wellington’s seasoned musicians as well as international musicians originating from South America, Africa, UK, and Japan. elsewhere. Ras Judah and Culture Embassy released their first collaborative album “Pan Afrikan” in November of 2015 and have since become a regular feature in the Wellington music scene.

The current band line-up includes:

-Benjamin Ato Baidoo (drums/backup vocals)

- Henry Smithers (bass guitar)

- Ras Judah (1st rhythm guitar/lead vocals)

- Luke Parker (2nd rhythm guitar/vocals)

- Julian Taylor (Lead Guitar and backup vocals)

- James Guilford (Trumpet)

- Anantha Nayaranan (Alto Sax)

- Theo Sekeries (Flute/keys)

- Aiko Sato- Trombone

- Rafael Ferrer Noel (congas/vocals)