Joel Havea

What does it mean to be at home? The experience is different for everyone, but this feeling is universal. For Joel Havea, listening to old Tongan music has always transported him to that place. Born to a Tongan father and Dutch mother in the friendly island's capital of Nuku’alofa, Joel was raised in the rich cultural landscape of Melbourne, Australia, and has spent the last decade living in the dynamic harbor city of Hamburg, Germany.

On his trio's new album “Ki 'a Lavaka”, Joel delves into the music from his country of birth for the first time paying homage to the long line of well-respected Havea songwriters from the tropical island Kingdom, going back many generations. The result is a reflection of his roots as a true world citizen, adding another element to his already eclectic style.

Since relocating to Europe, Joel has played hundreds of solo and trio shows (with the @JoelHaveaTrio) in over 20 countries, spanning 4 continents. In the process, he has become a fixture on the festival and club circuit, with performance highlights including Dubai Expo 2020, Reeperbahn Festival (Hamburg), Bendigo Blues & Roots Festival (Australia), and the prestigious Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland.

He has shared stages and collaborated with a diverse range of artists from Nigerian afrobeat singer Nneka, US West Coast rapper Pigeon John, Israelí/Australian folk singer Lior, Bulgarian Soul band Malky, and pop superstar James Blunt