South Teso Jazz

Group Information

Patrick Okodoi and his group – the SOUTH TESO JAZZ are based on the adeudeu– a traditional Teso string instrument. This group plays an interesting folk local sound and is very popular in the area. They combine several adeudeu(arched harps) of various sizes and functions, notably:

• ADEUDEU BASS – 6-strings instrument played by two people sitting on it; struck as a percussive by player in the back;
• RHYTHM ADEUDEU – 10-string adeudeu;
• ADEUDEU SEKETA – 9-string adeudeu;
• SOLO ADEUDEU – 5-string adeudeu, smallest in size.

This string sound is complemented with a home-crafted drum-set they refer to as akicheketin their vernacular language. This is a set of metal tin drums of different sizes joint on a wooden stand, together with bottle tops and a metal plate. Finally, the ensemble also a metal ring called edongotanditwol– shakers made out of gourds and seeds.