James Sakala

James Sakala is a multi-talented Afro-Jazz and Kalindula artist from Zambia. An accomplished singer, multi instrumentalist (guitar and percussion), composer, producer, and author. He was born on 17 October 1983 in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe.

In 1986, his family relocated to Mkushi in Zambia’s Central Province, where his childhood was shaped by acting, music, and the rhythmic sounds of Kalindula and Jazz... genres that would later define his artistic identity.

James Sakala has shared the stage with some of Africa’s and the world’s most celebrated artists, including Boyz II Men, UB40, and gospel icon Donnie McClurkin. He also collaborated with legendary Zimbabwean musician Oliver Mtukudzi, forming a powerful musical dialogue that championed the authenticity of Zambian traditional Kalindula music. Through this sound, James has gone on to headline festivals both locally and internationally.

 

Beyond music, James is a committed advocate for climate conservation, collaborating with WWF as an ambassador for the Journey of Water campaign. Passionate about passing on the rhythms of Zambian Music, he continues to mentor and tutor emerging talent. He has grown into an established artist, proudly exporting the Zambian sound across the SADC region, East Africa, and as far as Osaka, Japan.
 

James Sakala is set to release his highly anticipated second studio album in 2026.