Joni Schwalbach

Media Composer from Mozambique

Pianist & Keyboardist

Arranger & Producer

Sound Designer

Videographer

Ethnomusicologist

Entrepeneur

Joni Schwalbach is a composer, pianist/keyboardist, sound designer, producer, arranger, ethnomusicologist, videographer and entrepreneur born in Maputo – Mozambique. He finished his BA in Popular Music in 1999 at UNICAMP (State University of Campinas) in São Paulo – Brazil. In 2002 he completed his MA in Ethnomusicology at SOAS (School of Oriental and African Studies) at the University of London – UK. Alongside his solo career, Joni is a leading member and director of the legendary Mozambican band Ghorwane from 1993 to present. Currently, he also participates in several national and international projects as a pianist/keyboardist/producer/arranger. Joni is the founder of Ekaya Productions Lda, a company acting in different areas: Recording, Audio and Video Production and Post-Production, Music for Film/Soundtracks/Sound Design, Jingles, Concert Production, Musical Distribution among others. Joni is also the founder of the independent label Ekaya ManInGroove. He is also the co-founder of Maningue Productions Lda (2014), a company specialized in the production of large concerts and festivals and the management and promotion of artists. In 2017, Joni and his partner Luís Moreira launched MMM – Mozambique Music Meeting, a showcase festival and music market based in Maputo – a platform to promote Mozambican and international artists and expose local art and culture to a global audience. Joni is currently involved in several research projects in various fields, including Mozambican cultural heritage and economic and social issues. Joni’s has been directing and producing films for over a decade for several entities including advertising agencies, NGO’s, private companies, and artists. Joni also acts as an independent consultant for cultural and artistic affairs.

soundtraCKS

These are some of the films scored by Joni Schwalbach

Scores Without Films

Discography

despertar, vol.1

Despertar Vol.1 is Joni's debut album. Composed early in his career and presented live in 1992. The original tracks were later released on CD and streaming platforms.

LISTEN>

timeless

Released in 2021, Timeless unfolds as a journey of cinematic themes where orchestral textures intertwine with African roots, creating a soundscape both modern and evocative.

LISTEN>

minor things

mINOR tHINGs is Joni Schwalbach’s latest album. Entirely recorded and produced in Maputo – Mozambique during 2023 and 2024 and released on the 12th of Jan 2025, It aims to explore simple and minimalist piano motifs, seamlessly blended with symphonic orchestral instruments, synths, percussion, and vocals. All pieces, except one (the exception), are in a minor key.

LISTEN >

Talking about Joni is very easy and very difficult at the same time. We have known each other for 25 years and I can say that I have seldom seen in my professional life, someone so prepared and versatile. Producer, arranger, pianist (incredible how he plays), musicologist, very curious with the lenses (photography and video) in addition to (and above all, in my opinion) a brilliant composer. And I firmly believe that these multiple valences “flow” into his compositional process, as he writes a pop song with the same aplomb as he writes a theme for the symphony orchestra. If I had to define him in a single word, I would say that he is a creator, or a restless, or rather, a restless creator! I am very lucky to have Joni as a producer of my records and projects. Joni has been instrumental in creating the soundscape of Mozambique’s best loved brand 2M over the last decade. His intimate knowledge of Mozambique musical culture and tradition has created a soundscape for our clients brands that is as important as its visual communications. His professionalism, talent, range, attention to detail and work ethic are to be commended. We look forward to collaborate with Ekaya and Joni for many more years to come.

Joni is to music what a surgeon is to the body—he knows its anatomy by heart. He carries the rare gift of understanding how every organ breathes life, whether that life takes shape as jazz, a symphony, or the echoes of ancestral rhythms. He moves beyond playing and hearing, beyond the mathematics of musical science—he feels music in every dimension: its fragrance, its colors, its taste. These are things no one can be taught… they are born from a lifelong communion with sound itself. In the African landscape, I would say he is a painter conjuring new colors, shades the world has not yet seen.

Working with Joni Schwalbach was like stepping into a universe where every note has a soul. He doesn’t just compose — he sculpts sound, weaving together tradition and innovation with astonishing ease. Watching him direct musicians is witnessing both precision and poetry; he knows the anatomy of music in a way few people do. Joni’s ability to transform a simple motif into something cinematic, full of color and depth, left me speechless more than once. Mozambique is fortunate to call him one of its voices, but truly, his language is universal.

Agora, parecemos empobrecidos de canções. Possivelmente, trata-se de um sinal de quanto estamos carentes de sonho. E mais do que sonho, estamos carecidos de sermos sonhadores. E de sermos sonhados. Mas existem vozes que não desistem. Entre essas vozes está a de João Carlos (Joni). Que desde há anos não desiste de nos trazer, para além do silêncio, esse convite para que não desistamos de nós mesmos. João Carlos reinstala, como a ave no auge da tempestade, a esperança de que tudo pode renascer. Daí a gratidão que mantenho para com este jovem moçambicano que prossegue essa conversão mágica, esse poder criador que ele generosamente teima em partilhar com outros músicos. Mas que sempre tem como destinatário a nossa necessidade de sermos encantados. Mesmo que o mundo pareça perder o encanto. Por essa teimosia, por esse dedilhar da esperança, essa indecifrável escrita, nota a nota nas costas do silêncio e da ausência. Por tudo isso, obrigado, João Carlos (Joni). - Mia Couto, 2001

I've had the pleasure of working with Joni and Ekaya on several ocasions to produce jingles or score music for commercials or film. Joni is the consummate professional, takes the job seriously and professionally, but he has always time for some fun too. Most importantly the end product has always exceeded my expectations and resulted in happy clients.

CONTACT US

Let's Work Together

Feel free to reach out by sending a message