Safri Duo

Morten Friis and Uffe Savery

.... are the names of the two musicians in the Danish percussion-dance group Safri Duo. Morten Friis and Uffe Savery have known each other since childhood. They played together in the Tivoli Guards when they were very young. In 1985, they enrollrd in the Academy of Music, a highly acknowledged music school in Denmark. They graduated as classical musicians and toured great parts of the world, playing in London's Royal Albert Hall and the Opera of Sydney.

The group's change of style in music was inspired by the house and techno music they heard in London clubs. Their prior experience with percussion and their need for trying out new things also played an influential part. Safri Duo's big breakthrough was their first single Played-A-Live, also known as the bongo song. Several hundred thousands singles were sold worldwide.

Safri Duo performs at most Danish music festivals. The group is a treat for both eyes and ears as the two musicians energetically jump around the stage, playing their large number of percussion instruments.

Other Danish groups which have gained international fame are, among others, Outlandish, Raveonettes, Saybia and Swan Lee. In the former group Aqua, there was Danish participation, and finally the band Metallica should be mentioned because of Danish drummer Lars Ulrich.

Safri Duo website