Recording Resources Page
…field, we feel incredibly privileged to have worked alongside some amazing musical technicians, videographers and ethnomusicologists. However, it has taken us time to really work out the best processes for working effectively out in the field. With that in mind, we have created some resources for other groups to use for working in the field. Please feel free to use the below resources for your field trips in whatever region you are based, and plea…
Day Four: 10 March 2022 (Rongo) Story
…conducive environment that would enable them to showcase their individual musical talents and unique identities. If we succeed in our efforts, we believe they will rightfully take their place on center stage. To accelerate this process music policies must be put in place for these musicians not to be simply programmed as part of a loose musical troupe, relegated to and delegated with the mundane task of playing ceremonial music to visiting touris…
Group 2: Sophie Nzayisenga Story
…ith 200 artists from around the world, and was one of only 5 chosen as the best of the festival. Over the last few years the inanga has been having a resurgence among younger Rwandans, and Sophie is teaching a host of young women to play. The location where we were going to film was flooded, so she came to our hotel and the other guests were treated to a concert of six of her songs: Turabara Mutsa (“Welcome Song”) – created in 1930 by a choir from…
Here for the Music? Page
If you are here to experience some of the very best music East Africa has to offer then you are in the right place. For some of our stories, videos and the chance to listen to some of our Singing Wells Albums, head to the links below. Stories Read some of our most memorable stories from the field, featuring stunning photography taken by our team. Learn more about the communities we meet, the instruments that are being played and the background st…
Day 1 – Saturday 1st July 2017 Story
…aker needs to be able to play the instrument as well; ‐ Names of currently best nyatiti makers in the area, according to Meshack and mention of several masters who passed away; ‐ Discussion on playing positions (traditionally played while seated on a stool, some contemporary artistes play while standing as well) and its cultural and symbolic importance; ‐ The practice of praising people though song as central in nyatiti tradition (“Music sings who…
FAQ’s Page
…have recorded? A selection of our music is available to download from our site. We have one album of music from each trip, and we hope to curate albums of particular styles and instruments soon. To browse our albums, head over here. Where does the money to support Singing Wells come from? We invite financial contributions from private donors and corporate sponsors and seek grants from NGOs. Donations and grants are administered by The Abubilla Mu…
Kochia Traditional Dancers Group
…nkey fur. They are accompanied by drumming, and the Tung’, the Luo horn. You can contact the Kagan Kochia group for bookings on +254 700 600881 Sources: www.hivisasa.com www.allafrica.com Homa Bay, Kenya Leader: William Odero Ondiek…
Group 9: Impara Band Story
…and perform. The third member, Munyanshoza Dieudonne, joined later. He is best known for writing songs about the genocide. His most famous one is called Mibirizi and that has become his stage name. This song contains the names of many people who died in the genocide and pleads for it to never happen again. Band members: Sebigeri Paul, stage name Mimi La Losse. Guitar and Vocals Ngenzi Fidel, stage name Jacal, i.e. Jackel. Vocals Munyanshoza Dieud…
Arrival to Rwanda, Background and Objectives Story
…atrick on Central Video. On the far, far left, standing is Jado, our local musical expert who will help us throughout the trip, navigating Rwanda, its music, its artist. We can’t do these trips without our local experts! Here they are in action: In first picture below, you see: Further away, Patrick on Central Video, Steve on Audio, Drix on Close Up video, Producer Shunkyz on audio and closest to camera, Jado our local musical expert. Hunter, our…
Andy Patterson Staff Profile
…eld. He also works on the post production back in the UK and is responsible for the Singing Wells podcasts. For more information, please check out Andy’s site at: http://www.andypatterson.co.uk or follow him on Twitter – @aandypatterson…
Day One: January 18, 2019. Assemble in Tanzania Story
…hly 20-25 groups, and a 100-125 performances. We have roughly 1,000 videos online. Our general setup for a recording is: a) Steve is in charge of audio and we typically have two general mics for the group and 5-6 specific microphones for singers and musicians, b) we have three video cameras operating – one wide shot for full performance, one close up to capture details of instruments and one roving camera to provide a second angle on the performan…
Singing Wells Sampler 2011 – 2013 Album
…This is a special sampler album put together, which contains some of the best recordings and tracks we have made as part of the project. It includes field recordings, influences recordings made in the field, influences recordings made in the Ketebul studio in Nairobi and a special collaborative effort between Abubilla Music and some of the musicians recorded by The Singing Wells project….
Day Three: Bungoma Town to Kakamega Story
…Nabongo). We performed next to the mausoleum where four kings were buried, dating back to 1700s. They had lots of dancers and instruments, including: Sukuti: Three drums Ikdengele: Ring Inyungu Isiongo: a pot with a cool ‘drum stick’ like a rubber plate. Ing’oma: skinned drums Manyanga: bottle top rattles Tsisala: Sticks Lisanduku: A wooden box on which you scrap a stick. Out of context, this sounds like finger nails on a chalkboard. But in contex…
Singing Wells Stories Page
…formance, one of the pieces ‘Ywak’ – a funeral song has featured on every ‘Best of’ Singing Wells compilation to date. It was with great sadness that we learnt after returning to the UK that Okumu K’Orengo had died, just weeks after we had recorded him – a tragic story that underlines the mission behind the Singing Wells project and the aims we have to record music in East Africa. To visit the group page for the Nyatiti group click here: Nyatiti G…
Day 4 – Tuesday 4th July 2017 Story
…the arms (ogwero, milinginda, apindi, mago), while confirmed siyala is the best type for the head. His method deferred from the previously interviewed nyatiti makers essentially in two points: He never sells an uncomplete nyatiti (includes painting ad strings); All of the instrument’s components are fixed and left to dry together (resonators, skin, arms and head). Finally, he makes a clear difference between clients who are traditional and/or loca…
Day One: 7 March 2022 (Shikangania and Mukumu) Story
…any years. Hence, it did not take long for our sound team to determine the best site for the stage within the well-groomed homestead and in less than an hour we had the mobile studio all set. Normally, our preferred device for capturing sound on these trips is the Zoom digital recorder, having started with H4 before upgrading to Zoom H6. On this occasion we opted to record directly to the laptop. All recording systems have their merits and demerit…