Day Six: January 24, 2019 From Mwanza to Dodomo to Nzali to Nairobi Story
…he Dodoma Hotel, we drove about 90 minutes to Nzali to record four groups: Group 1: Makunga: This group is from Dodoma and the Wagogo Community, which they argued is the main indigenous community of Tanzania (always from the land, never migrated into Tanzania. The group was formed in 2018, but was built on a much older group. They perform in the Wuyina style. Their instruments/costumes include the: Ndulele (Horn), the Nindo (Shakers), the Mbeg…
Kivolti Instrument
…A flute -type whistle – played to the side. We encountered this instrument in Vuga, Kwale County, Coastal Kenya, while recording the music of the Mijikenda. The group were The ZigiDigi Cultural Troupe. …
Global Influences Project: Artist Submissions Page
…low them @jay.p_production_kenya NG’AT MALER X OTACHO YOUNG STARS//NYATITI GROUP//WATMON CULTURAL GROUP We are loving this track from Ng’at Maler who utilises several different loops for his submission. He told us how the project has really impacted his current workflow when making new music, making sure to include African sounds, and we just LOVE that! “Loops are such a great way to start a track for me. They are a great way of finding inspiratio…
Biluli Dutwa Group
…mabudo style. Lake the Snake Dances we recorded during our last trip, this group is part music, part circus, part acrobatics. A wonderful crowd pleaser! We recorded eight songs with them: Balogi Wa Ngamboshi: This is about the Wizards of Balogi, where wizardry is perceived as a negative thing, evoking witch doctors and snake oil salesmen. Simiyu: A song for praise for the region. Bahuni ba ng’wanza: A song referring to local women of questionable…
Singing Wells Stories Page
…ed to report that Akello has been performing more with the Watmon Cultural Group (our group of the month for September – read more about that here. To read more about Akello and her part in Influences, click here: Akello To hear her collaboration with the Watmon Cultural Group – Amari – click here: 2011 – 2013 sampler CD Winyo Winyo Shipton is a singer songwriter from Kenya. He joined us on our first trip to coastal Kenya to record the music of th…
Global Influences Project: Loop Library Page
…singingwells · SW Samples – Kidinda Cultural Group 158BPM Kidinda Cultural Group – 158BPM The group are from Kidinda, Uganda. They play music in the Kidinda style using the Amadinda, a 22 slab xylophone which was historically an instrument which could only be played in front of the King. You can find out more about the band here. You can watch the full visual performance of this song on our Youtube channel by clicking here. Download the loop Jogin…
Lungo Instrument
…A bowl, containing broken glass, which is shaken – as a percussion instrument. We encountered this instrument on our first ever recording session – it was being used by a member of the Nyerere Wa Konde Music club, along with some Ndere rings as a percussion bed for the vocallist in the group. …
Mission Page
…e cultural heritage. Its borders encompass a multitude of different ethnic groups, each with their own unique traditions and histories, languages and dialects, religions and beliefs, ways of dressing, music and dance. We believe the importance of preserving music traditions cannot be underestimated and with Singing Wells we aim to: Preserve the rich music heritage of East Africa Introduce East African tribal music to a new generation of musicians…
Day Five: January 22, 2019 Mwanza Continued Story
…to the same location (Kagera Bukoba) as yesterday to record three groups: Group 1: Karambi Sanaa Group: From Kagera Bukoba and part of the Wahaya Community, this group was formed in 2000 and performs in the Akasimbo style. Their instruments are: Kangote (Drums), Akafotho (hand whistling), Enganja: Clapper – two wooden ‘bricks’ struck together, and they wear Ebisheshe (grasses). We recorded four performances: Wachumba Walya: A song about someone w…
Day One: January 18, 2019. Assemble in Tanzania Story
…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 performance and c) we interview all group leaders to understand group musical styles and background, instruments and songs. In almost…
Otacho Young Stars Group
…g gratitude to the manager of a factory who has been doing a good job. We asked them to join us in the Ketebul studio in Nairobi to record this song, renamed Mr Manager, which you can listen to here. The percussion in this group is particularly impressive, with ongeng’o rings used both by themselves, and also together with the Nyangile, a wooden box topped with two of the rings, one of which is held with the feet, and beaten with a stick….
Day One: February 16, 2020 (Ngawala Hotel) Story
…ulibembeleze Pendo: This means nurture our love. Tausi Women’s Taarab: The group leader’s name is Mariam Hamdiani, who is chair of the Arts and Censorship Council in Zanzibar. She plays the Qanun. The group is from Rahaleo and normally they have 28 members but brought 9 for the performance. The members included: Topsy Surrie (Oud, a beautiful version with inlay), Asha Khamisi Amur (violin and background vocals), Tatu Hamisi Amur (accordion and bac…
Day Three: Bungoma Town to Kakamega Story
…e eventually arrived in Mumias to record Mumias United, a very large dance group. The group was founded in 1997 by Francesca Odour. They have 38 members and 22 showed up for our performance. They perform in the Imbira style. They are part of the Wanga tribe, which is a sub-group of the Lua, known for their Kings (Nabongo). We performed next to the mausoleum where four kings were buried, dating back to 1700s. They had lots of dancers and instrument…
Day One: The Iteso People and their Music Story
…twoo. From Adungosi, we travelled to Obekai, to record the South Teso Jazz group. The group started in 1938 by Charles Olado. It is currently led by Patrick Okodoi. We walked through all the band’s instruments first; these are: The Adeudeu: The Six Stringed Bass, that is big enough for bass player and a percussionist who sits on back to play the ‘kick’ drum. You then have the 9 string ‘rhythm instrument, the Seketa and the 9 String ‘Solo’. Percuss…
Bigilia Group Group
…(Kigarama) shakers (Mbugu), whistles (Firimbi), and ‘brooms’ (Usinga). The group leader was Asha Saidi Kazidi. The style was Unyago. Here is the group: They played 12 songs, including Magic Moments and Influences Sessions: Zakulola: You’ve come to see us play Wake Kwa Ume: Female to male Nataka kusema kasi naogopa: I would like to say something but I am afraid Umpati Ng’o: You’re never going to get them Magic Moment 1 Utalikologa Utalinywa: If you…
Otieno Aloka Group
…in Kenya for his hit song ‘Kanungo Eteko’. In our session with the Ohangla group he plays the orutu, the second major instrument of Luo music. The orutu consists of a hollow wooden box that has monitor lizard skin stretched over one side. The string used to be made from fibers of the sisal plants but is now made from a variety of repurposed materials, including bicycle brake cables. When played with a bow, orutu creates different notes determined…