Warmth and grit
Alain Apaloo was born in Togo and is based in Copenhagen, where he fuses his West African roots with the raw edge of delta blues and the freedom of jazz.
His voice strikes a balance between warmth and grit, and his guitar playing tells stories with a depth that mirrors his lyrics. The music feels both ancient and immediate – grounded, intense, and deeply present.
Apaloo began his musical journey under the wing of Togolese blues legend Jimi Hope and has since collaborated with artists like Kojo Antwi and Kwame Yeboah. Since arriving in Denmark in 1999, he has made a strong mark – as frontman of his own trio, leader of the award-winning collective ApiPipo, and collaborator with artists such as Kurt Rosenwinkel, Gitte Hænning, and Rasmus Lyberth. In 2023, he was invited to join Rosenwinkel’s band as guitarist and vocalist at Eric Clapton’s Crossroads Festival – a major milestone in his career.
His latest solo album, Naked, was released in September 2024 and features a collaboration with Marcus King. The album is nominated for both Danish Blues Album of the Year and the Blues Live Award at DMA Blues 2025.
