Named after the Olduvai Gorge in Africa, historic cradle of Mankind, the artistic mission of the Olduvai Ensemble for original world music composition is to develop and present a new music repertoire, connecting globally to people, ages and civilizations, as a reminder to the fact that as humans we will always share more than we differ. Music is a common language everywhere, and therefore, regardless of style, in its essence still primal enough to be understood with a deeper and older part of our being.

The Olduvai Ensemble was founded in 2011 by Oscar van Dillen, who is also composer and artistic director.