Nigerian singer-songwriter Keziah Jones lit up the Saudi Arabia Museum of Contemporary Art at Jax (SAMoCA at JAX) with a magnetic performance that blended blues, funk, and soul into what he famously calls “Blufunk.”

The concert, held under SAMoCA’s SAFAR live music series, marked Jones’s first-ever performance in Riyadh, drawing a crowd eager to experience his distinctive fusion of sound and storytelling.

Performing under the open sky at the museum’s outdoor arena, Jones delivered a dynamic set that moved seamlessly from pulsating funk rhythms to introspective blues ballads.

“It’s amazing to be here in Riyadh, sharing my music and energy with a crowd that feels this deeply,” Jones told the audience between songs. “Music travels — it connects us across languages and borders.”

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Known for his virtuosic guitar style and charismatic stage presence, Jones captivated the audience with fan favourites like Rhythm Is Love and Million Miles from Home, while weaving in improvisational flourishes inspired by his Yoruba heritage.

His sound, rich with global influences, felt perfectly at home within SAFAR’s mission to foster dialogue and cultural exchange through live music.

“Keziah’s performance truly embodied what SAFAR is about — creating bridges between cultures through art,” said a representative of the Museums Commission, which organized the event under the Ministry of Culture. “It’s about celebrating diversity, creativity, and connection.”

The SAFAR concert series, which runs through December 2025, launched on October 28 with an electrifying set by French collective Bon Entendeur, known for their stylish blend of electronic, disco, and funk. Their performance set the tone for a season of innovative musical programming at SAMoCA.

Next up in the lineup are Love & Revenge, a multimedia duo returning to Riyadh with their acclaimed project Agmal Layali, a reimagining of Oum Kalthoum’s legendary songs through a modern electronic and cinematic lens. The group will host a workshop on December 7, followed by their main performance on December 8 at 9:00 PM.

“This project bridges the past and present,” said a SAFAR curator. “It introduces Oum Kalthoum’s timeless emotional artistry to new generations while celebrating Arab cultural heritage through contemporary forms.”