After my first trip to Cuba 1995 I started writing again but now wanted to create something fresh, as most of the music I was writing was mostly modern swing numbers with rumba, samba ganganco, rhythms.  So I wanted to create something that summed up what I was learning and experiencing in my life. So I started looking for a way to create within the modern Jazz harmony and traditional African music themes.

As my interest in African culture grows, so did my ideas on how I could express them in music. In 1996 I performed my first jazz show at the London Jazz café under the band name Kevin Haynes Groupo Elegua. The name comes from the Nigerian Yoruba deity of the crossroads and the messenger of god. He's the Guardian of the Crossroads of Life. Whenever there are decisions to be made, he provides opportunities and second chances. If you're lucky, as a Trickster God, the childlike Elegua can sometimes make things even more complicated. At a whim he can turn a simple choice into a vast conundrum of paradox. I loved the idea of the messenger and that this deity controlled the roads and paths of life - which doors were opened and which were closed in ones destiny 

Nigerian Yoruba culture has played an important part in how I am thinking when it comes to traditional African Ancient ways, of thinking and spiritually, which is reflected in the music of Groupo Elegua, ancient stories and prises of the Yoruba people are a strong part of the themes. Over the last five years I have written some Yoruba stories which has been narrated by some poets and singers that have toured with the band over the years, later it would be recorded and are now included on some tracks on the last two albums, Ori Ire 2002 and A jo se po. Unity, Niles Hailstones Yawanda Osun Lanre Ola Ifa have all contributed to the albums bringing a fresh dimension to the music  The Narration is translated in English or Yoruba.

Introduction to Bata Drumming

I first came across the bata drums when I went to see the Jazz Group Cuba’s Erekere. I was introduced to the lead percussionist at the time, Oscar Valdes. He gave me my first bata classes. From there I was hooked! My next encounter was when the Cuba’s Afro Cuban Rumba group Los Muniquitos de Matanzas comes to perform in London. These two groups had made a very powerful impression on me, this helped shape how I would go about writing and playing progressive mind body and spirit music.

So I started to have the bata drums more in the music of Groupo Elegua as the kit player if you like, but working with fresh rhythms. And alongside them the kit drummer who had to have a good idea of what theses drums were doing, saying and what new role he would be playing in this band

As a percussionist in the London jazz scene in the Nineties I always wanted to have a group of percussionists working together, as most of the percussionists that I knew were working with funk, pop, rock, jazz bands, so we never really got a chance to play with each other, so I started to approach some of the Caribbean/Latino & British percussionists from the community to work in the Groupo Elegua project, mainly guys who could play Afro Cuban Percussion and Cuban Bata drums.

Pianists

Bennet Mclean has been working with the band on and off for 10 years now. I first met Bennet through a friend - a bass player I studied with at Kingsway Collage in Holloway North London. He suggested the young talented pianist. In 1995 EMI approached me to write a track on a compilation album called Doing the Bach Thing! with themes on Bach. So I wrote a track called Bebopper. I called Bennet and asked if he would be up for recording on a track for EMI at Abbey Road studios. He happily agreed. This was the first time I had worked with him. Working on the track highlighted his talents, i enjoy his harmonic movement in the piece, wherever i wanted to go harmonic Bennet was there, he could hear where I was going and would developed the cell or idea of the moment in his accompaniment to the soloist, and on his solos, filled with echoes of Bud Powell Theolonis Monk & Steve Coleman. After this recording Bennet became first choice Pianist for Groupo Elegua whenever we recorded or performed.

Pierre Alain Goualsh has been doing some of the most recent shows and recording with Groupo Elegua. He has brought freshness to the music with his own feel and style.

Bass players

Navel Malcolm has been the bass player working with the band in and out for 9 years now. Navel has a great sound and is a keen team player - he has played on the last two albums Ori Ire and A jo se po Unity

Neal Charles is the young gun of the band. He has been doing the last few shows. He has a nice warm sound, always keen to lean fresh ideas, always has a positive understanding of the project.

Drummer kit player

Shane Forbes has been doing the last few shows. This young lion really swings. He is one for the future - i love his style and his willingness to learn.

Percussionists

Ronald Thomas has been working with the band for 8 years - recording on ori ire and touring with the band. A great team player, over the year Ronald has developed his percussion skills within and outside the band, and his singing of youba orisha songs has put him as one the guys to lookout for in the UK. 

Bill Bland has been working with the band for 8 years, recording on ori ire and touring with the band. Bill is also a great team player and has been the rock in the percussion section - making sure the drummers are on it and bring ideas to the band.

Flavio Carreo has been working with the band on and off for years. Flavio has been a student with us over the years, so he was given the opportunity to perform with Groupo Elegua when any of the percussion seats are available. A competent percussionist when focussed.      

Donald Gamble has been working with the band on and off for 10 years, we go back a long way, great team player has solid groove, when he's in the chair the bands level goes up a few more gears.

Kora

Jebel Sosoko has been working with the band for the last 2 years. A great young talent who has adapted to the band very well. He has a beautiful voice and plays great flowing lines and grooves that give the music a new dimension.