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There's something about the jazz crowd, an effortlessly well turned-out, smiley bunch who know how to have a good time. The people at the Jazz Café to see Michael Olatuja perform on the launch of his debut album Speak were no exception, warmly welcoming the musician and his band to the stage and anticipating an energetic musical journey.

This journey started early for the talented bassist. At age 11, Olatuja picked up a bass guitar for the first time, and within five years, he was playing professionally, absorbing everything he heard along the way, including soul, jazz, R&B, gospel and more.

Influences such as guitarist George Benson and jazz bassists Richard Bona, who Olatuja calls his "teacher and mentor," helped shape his musical world and with additional schooling in both the U.K. and U.S. Olatuja's sharpened skills allowed him to mix it up with world-class artists who quickly came to appreciate his gifts.

One of those artists is rapper Ty, a guest performer with the band on the night, who got the crowd well prepared for the show (by actually asking us to perform ‘warm up' stretches!) Olatuja then gave a soulful accapella intro, leading into the lively Ma Foya influenced by traditional African music, hallmarks of which he often incorporates into his compositions while working comfortably with musical vocabularies more familiar to Western ears: neo-soul balladry, hip-hop, modern jazz and deep groove. This particular track featured phrases from the Yoruba language ("Ma Foya" meaning "Don't fear"), and with positive lyrics and beautiful harmonies from the backing vocalists, the bar was set for an outstanding show. The microphone levels were a bit low, but this was rectified quickly (phew).

As any musician will know, there is no ‘I' in team, and the accompaniment helped to make this show extra-special. The backing vocalists were on-point, with Michael dropping in a special recognition to a member of the group, his wife and ‘queen' Alicia. The band fit together really well, with excellent drumming and piano solos throughout the night, and the guitarist enthralled the crowd with an exciting improvisation whilst controlling a complicated-looking foot-pedaled amp thingy. Who says men can't multi-task?

With synergy like this, the band, vocals, and that signature Michael Olatuja sound did not fall into place by chance. It was his 2004 move to New York that gave him the impetus he needed to put it all together. "As a writer, New York encouraged me to be original, because there are so many artists out there," he says. "Jazz encouraged the freedom to improvise, soul encouraged me to do it from the heart, R&B encouraged an undeniable deep groove and world music encouraged me not to forget my roots. Gospel gives it all a sense of purpose; it inspires and uplifts."

Inspirational songs performed from the new album included Little Sister, with UK soul-stress Terri Walker on lead vocals, finishing her appearance with a freestyle alongside the other vocalists and adding a surprise apt slice of Sister from The Color Purple, and Ty laying down some hot verses on the title track Speak. The stand-out moment was the band's performance of Walk With Me, also from the new album. Alicia's solo vocal rose steadily over shuffling drums, hauntingly soulful and tasty like a smooth mug of hot chocolate. Deliciously soothing, with Olatuja's bass solo almost lyrical in its expressiveness.

A jovial presence on stage, Olatuja's love for what he does is evident. His interaction with audience and band alike reveals his nature as an artist who enjoys sharing the spotlight. But don't just take my word for it; hear his music speak for itself. You can't help but listen.

The Album Speak is out now.

By Lauren Ashi