A Guitarist Rooted in
African Tradition
Gideon Tobi Olajide, known professionally as Gideon Guitar, is a guitarist and live performer whose work is rooted in African Highlife, Afrobeat, and Gospel traditions. He started out as a pianist, playing in church and community settings, before moving to the guitar and finding his own voice through African rhythm, melodic sensitivity, and years of ensemble playing.
His playing pulls from jazz and contemporary African music, though Highlife and Afrobeat remain at the heart of what he does. He is comfortable holding down rhythmic accompaniment or stepping into expressive lead playing and has developed that flexibility through consistent work in live band and collaborative settings.
Gideon has performed at concerts, cultural festivals, and interdisciplinary productions, building working relationships with artists and creative organisations across Nigeria and the UK. He listens well, adapts quickly, and takes seriously his contribution to the overall direction of each project he is part of.
"His focus remains on live expression and bringing African guitar traditions into contemporary performance spaces."
Beyond performance, he is involved in rehearsal processes, arrangement development, and supporting emerging musicians.
Highlife
Afrobeat
Gospel
Jazz
Live Performance
Music Production
Composition
Lead Guitar
Expressive melodic lines rooted in African tonality
Rhythm Guitar
Ensemble accompaniment in Highlife & Afrobeat
African Jazz Voicings
Contemporary harmonic sensibility and improvisation
