Central and Eastern Kenya: Day 3 – Nkubu to Mariene to Murungurune to Nkubu Story
…ks a woman for thin porridge which is kept in the gourd during long trips away. He meets someone else that wants the gourd and dies with it. In the song he calls for those who will really listen to what he has to say (this is the wonderful refrain at outset) Magic Moment: Simon doing gospel interpretation of Mariri. Magic moment: Arabamba mwarone as vocal solo with lead vocalist Their costumes were wonderful: Before we left we gave everyone Singin…
Naizungwe Drums News
…ope that we would support him with funding for his new project. We are excited to announce that we have agreed to support James in his endeavours and will be posting about the project’s development, which has been under way for a month now. We will be documenting the progress of these drums with pictures and videos here, and more details about the project and the instruments themselves are to follow soon so you can stay updated….
Entenga: Performing twice for the king of Buganda News
…a alula”, a version of which we recorded during our visit in 2016. James played the Kyawakati and Entemyo, John Ssempeke played the Nakawombe and the younger boys played the rest of the drums. This is a wonderful story for the Entenga players, and it is really encouraging to know that the king continues to support the group so new musicians can thrive. Update: The Entenga players have since performed again in front of the king at the opening cerem…
Central Uganda: Day 7 – A Magic Day in Entebbe Story
…s daughter. The second boyfriend was also about to peep but they both ran away on discovering the parents had found out. Malaika: He did this song solo and then did it again as an influences session with Jacinta. Here’s his music: Group 2: A Sub-set of the Kika Boys Cultural Troupe. We really feel like this trip came full circle for us. One reason is we invited two members of the Kika Boys Cultural Troupe to join us on our last day to record more…
Central Uganda: Day 6: Kampala to Entebbe Story
…sional with a lot of energy. The lead singer is a wonderful performer, and really up and coming and will only get better. They also have great instrumentalists. They really gave a show today with lots of performers – but to these cultures folk songs demand actions and drama. If you give them an open space they will bring much more drama to the equation.” Here’s their music The Journey to the Next Site We then packed up and left the University Grou…
Central Uganda: Day 5 – Jinja to Kampala Story
…azi Ow’omwano Tanoba: Tamenha Ibuga Nalufuka: This was an incredible dance number that ended with all the Singing Wells crew, and many of the hotel staff, jumping up and dancing with the group. Here is their music: James Isabirye says, “It is a challenge for me to talk about Nile Beat because I have so many feelings about it. But what I’m most proud of its contribution to the preservation of Ugandan culture by organizing the only festival since 20…
Central Uganda: Day 4 – Jinja Story
…me Ndaba also plays the Endongo (the thumb piano) and sings. They played a number of songs and then we kept doing magic moments – but frankly, everything they did was a magic moment. Even at the end, when we played back their music over the speakers they all stood and danced and sang harmonies to themselves. Their songs were: Abalimperekera Baliba Muganda: When I die, those that will escort me to be buried, will be many. Enumba Y’eisubi Esana Buko…
A Tanzanian Effort to Salvage the Music of the Past News
…ert, says Rebecca, everyone will be dancing. But the music itself wasn’t always meant to be pure entertainment. True to his socialist roots, Nyerere wanted his songs to carry messages as well. Most of these bands were set up by the government, who employed the musicians and paid for all their instruments. Some of their songs are actually public service announcements set to a catchy tune, conveying information about how to take care of children or…
Central Uganda: Day 3 – From Mbale to Iganga to Jinja Story
…oir with alternating lead vocals. Their style is Embaire, which is the xylophone. Their instruments were: Embaire, Xylophone Endigidi, tube fiddle Enkwanzi, pan pipes The performance was simply spectacular. Our search for the best xylophone players in Uganda is declared over! What a group. Obutasoma (Education), with lead singer Muniru Ayubu Obwiire Bukyeire (The Time Has Come), with lead singer Kisubi Eliasa Magic Moment: We loved the xylophone a…
Interview: fusion band Ndoto Afrika News
…and listen to stories. So we will have to transmit these stories to their iPhones and iPads in the form of music, the universal language. Where are you from? From Kenya, in the East of Africa. To be more specific, we hail from a small village in Siaya County where most of the renowned Luo musicians come from. Ever heard of Otieno Aloka (the famous Ohangla artist)? He is our next door neighbour back at the village. We borrow each other’s salt from…
Central Uganda: Day 2 – Kampala to Budaka Story
…Malinywa. Their instruments were: Ekongo: Thumb Piano Embaire (13 slab xylophone) Endingidi: Tube fiddles Omulere: Flute Engoma: Drums Efumbo: Long drum Engalabi: Shorter drum, but still ‘long’ Ensasi: Shakers Ekwanzi: Pan Pipes They performed four songs: Olumbe Namuna: This was a song about aids, beautifully but mournfully sung. You could feel the sense of loss as the female singers performed. Animals were sacrificed during the story to bring hop…
Central Uganda: Day 0 – Nairobi/London to Entebbe Story
…little did we know that a thunderstorm of biblical proportions was on its way….. A Note About Our Sponsors We are very grateful to have two sponsors for this recording trip. Firstly, The Mara Group are sponsoring a full recording day and have chosen to support our day in Mbale (Day 4: Thursday 21st Nov). We are also very pleased to have the support of Gorilla Tours, owners of the Airport Guesthouse who have provided one of the transport vehicles…
Before They Pass Away News
…aph some of the world’s last surviving tribes. His book, Before They Pass Away, is a fascinating insight into these communities’ ways of life. Nelson’s breathtaking photographs capture how these last remaining tribes continue their lives amid a changing world. But rather than charge in and start pointing his camera at these people, Nelson had to get to know them and to gain their trust. When he met the Chukchi people, the elders told him: “You can…
Happy new year from Singing Wells News
…gular updates about our journey and the incredible people we met along the way. You can read them on our Field Reports section. Here’s some further background written the beginning of our journey to discover the lost royal drums of the Buganda Kingdom. 2. We met Musisi and heard his story Musisi is one of the last remaining drummers of the Buganda Kingdom in Uganda. He performed for the King during his time at the Buganda Palace before fleeing in…
Discussions on music and culture with a young Kenyan News
…ple believe in, that might just work. I reckon film or TV would be a great way to get the message out, and I’d really drive home your work with modern artists mixing in traditional beats, I think people would like that. I’ve heard a few club bangers in my time with a traditional music mix – they were popular! So not all hope is lost for young Kenyans? Look, we aspire to a western life and we enjoy western music, but we have our own way of speaking…
Hitching a ride Story
…Looks like a good way to get along…….