The Spotlight On Kenyan Music 10th Year Anniversary Celebrations

The Spotlight on Kenyan Music Programme marked its 10 year anniversary with a colourful concert held at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre in Nairobi Kenya, last weekend on the 19th and 20th of September 2015. The concert coincided with the Total Motor show, which is a major motor show event in East and Central Africa.

Spotlight on Kenyan Music is a cultural music programme initiated by the Alliance Française in 2005 in partnership with Ketebul Music, with the support of the Embassy of France in Kenya, Total Kenya Ltd, and the Department of Culture.

The concert featured spotlight selected Spotlight artistes such as Lelele Afrika, Juma Tutu, Makadem, Mzee Mwatela and Gargar among others.

On Saturday afternoon the show kicked off with a great performance by Walter Koga, a nyatiti player from Nyakach, Nyanza. He was followed by Mutinda, who is part of the first crop of the spotlight on Kenyan music volume 1, with his song ‘Matopeni.’ His song ‘Simama’ also saw him win the International Song Writing Competition.

Next on line was Mzee Mwatela, a renowned percussionist hailing from the coastal town of Malindi. He is featured in the Spotlight On Kenyan Music volume 6 compilation.

The audience was amazed by the mellow voice of Winyo who, though not a Spotlight artiste but a good friend of Alliance Française. Winyo was twice  nominated for the Radio Funds International Discoveries Award and is a beneficiary of the Institut Français.

Makadem, also known as the Ohanglaman or Mganga Mkuu (the great healer) wrapped it all up with a high energy performance which had the crowd on their feet and left them yearning for more. His song ‘Nyar Nairobi’ is featured in the 1^st volume of the Spotlight On Kenyan Music compilation.

As a continuation to the celebrations, on Sunday, Mohammed Guyo from Marsabit opened the stage in style with Lelele Africa stepping in after him. Mohamed Guyo is featured in the Spotlight on Kenyan Music volume 5 compilation, which focused on music from Northern Kenya. Lelele Africa is a band made up of veteran Taarab musicians and are one of the few remaining groups that still play the  old style taarab music. They were featured in the volume 6 compilation.

 

 

Next on stage was Chepchumba from the Rift valley, featured in the volume 3 compilation. She was then followed by Juma Tutu, a Swahili jazz  musician whose song titled ‘Sukari’ was featured in the volume 1 compilation, going on to become became a runaway hit in Kenya.

The performances went on with Ontiri Bikundo from Kisii, whose song titled ‘Speed Governor,’ a call for responsible sexual behaviour, appears on  the Spotlight On Kenyan Music volume 2 compilation.

Gargar, a group  made up of Kenyan women of Somali origin from Garissa, North Eastern Kenya, were next on stage after Ontiri Bikundo. They are one of the major success stories from the Spotlight On Kenyan Music programme, having travelled to perform and showcase in numerous countries internationally. They are the only group that has been featured in two Spotlight On Kenyan Music compilations, the first being volume 4 with their song ‘Aids Wadila’ and the second ‘Shicir’ in the volume 5 compilation.

Sarabi are not Spotlight on Kenyan music artistes but in an effort to support young Kenyan talent, they too were invited to perform. They will be performing on Friday, 24^th of September 2015, at the Alliance Française gardens in a show that seeks to raise funds for their upcoming trip to Budapest where they will showcase at WOMEX.

The event was also used to launch Spotlight On Kenyan Music Videos that had been shot and produced by Ketebul Music over a four month period, between May and August 2015.

 

 

 

 

 

Olith Ratego & Winyo @ The Rift Valley Festival 2012

The Rift Valley Festival is back again and for the 3rd time in a smany years,Olith Ratego will be taking to the stage to perform his unique style of Afro-Ohangla.

For the past year, Olith with his band have been working hard at developing his unique sound that features elements of popular Ohangla fused with Dodo music. Be sure to cathc him on stage on the 1st of September at the Fisherman’s Camp, the home of the Rift Valley Festival.

Also on stage at the festival will be Winyo with his quartet setting the tone for a pleasant climax to the festival on Sunday the 2nd of September at 3.00pm.

Winyo whose debut CD will be hitting stores and outlets mid September, is a must se artist for any one looking for an uplifting voice accompanied by a truly Kenyan sound.

Winyo Shortlisted For Rolex Mentor & Protégé Arts Initiative

By Stefano

We are proud to announce that our very own Winyo has been shortlisted as one of the four finalists for the Rolex Mentor & Protégé Arts Initiative!

The Rolex Mentor and Protégé Arts Initiative is an international philanthropic programme created to assist extraordinary, rising artists to achieve their full potential. It seeks out these artists from around the world and brings them together with great masters, for a year of creative collaboration in a one-to-one mentoring relationship(extracted from www.rolexmentorprotege.com).

Winyo was invited to apply for the programme by the Initiative’s Selection Committee and went on to be shortlisted as one of the four finalists in the music category of the Initiative.

If selected, Winyo will benefit from a year of mentoring,starting June 2012, from legendary Brazillian singer, guitarist and songwriter, Gilberto Gil.

Gilberto Gil is known for both his musical innovation and political commitment. From 2003 to 2008, he served as Brazil’s Minister of Culture in the administration of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. Gil’s musical style incorporates an eclectic range of influences, including Rock music, Brazilian genres including samba, African music, and reggae (extracted from wikipedia). Gilberto Gil also has 7 Grammy Awards to his name including Best Contemporary World Music Album in 1999 and 2005 for his albums’ Quanta Live’ and ‘Eletracústico’ respectively. He also holds two Latin Awards Grammies for Best Brazillian Roots Album for 2001 and 2002.

Previuos mentors and protégés in the music cartegory of the initiative include Brian Eno (mentor) and Ben Frost (protégé) 2010/2011, and recently Youssour N’Dour (mentor) and Aurelio Martinez (protégé).

Winyo is set to travel to Rio Dejaneiro in Brazil for a face to face meeting with Gilberto Gil. Mr Gil will then select his protege out off the four finalists.

Many of you might remember Winyo has twice been selected for the Radio France International Discoveries programme of 2010 and 2011. He went on to be the first runners up in 2010.

We take this chance to congratulate Winyo for first being selected and invited to apply for the mentorship programme, and on making it to the shortlist.

All the best in your meeting with Mr. Gil.

Andy Brown: Fare Thee Well True Son Of Africa

By Priscah Nyakenya

On Friday 16^th of March 2012, Africa lost one of it’s great musical talents on the passing of Andy Brown.

The Ketebul Music family would like to send our sincere and heartfelt condolences to Andy Brown’s family,friends and fans, as we all come to terms with his passing.

Until his death, Andy Brown, also known as ‘Mzukuru’ among his fans, was a legendary Zimbabwean musician who has been performing around the globe and recording albums for over twenty six years.

Andy Brown visited Ketebul Music Studios on the 12^th of November 2011 during his recent visit to Kenya where he performed alongside his sister, the songstress Queen Mashie at her album launch. During his studio visit, Andy took some time to record and lay down material for a song.  It’s a day the Ketebul Team will always remember.

Fare thee well Andy Brown. You remain a true son of Africa. Your Great music will live on forever.

Featured photo by Steenie Njoroge

Makadem, Winyo & Olith Ratego for Rift Valley Festival, Naivasha

This September, Ketebul Music will take Naivasha by storm when three of our artists will take on stage for the annual Rift Valley Festival.

Set on the banks of Lake Naivasha at Fishaerman’s Camp, the Rift Valley Festival is a must see event for anyone wishing to catch Makadem, Olith Ratego and Winyo live on stage.

Globe trotting Makadem will take to the stage on Friday 02 on what will be one of his final local shows this year before he embarks on yet another tour of Europe and South America.

Olith Ratego will be on stage on Saturday 03 with his own blend of Ohangla.

Two time RFI Discpveries Award nominee Winyo will wind up the Ketebul roster on Sunday o4 with his Benga Blues.

For more details on the festival, click on the link below;
RIft Valley Festival

Vote For Winyo: RFI Discoveries 2011

The voting lines for RFI Discoveries Award 2011 are finally open! We are calling on all fans and friends of winyo to visit his profile on the RFI website (CLICK HERE TO VIEW PROFILE) and cast your vote for Winyo.

The competition is very stiff with a list of ten very talented musicians from Africa and the Caribbean, thus we need all the votes and supportwe can get. Please vote and share the link with your friends.

Voting is simple: CLICK HERE to go to the voting page, select Winyo from the list, fill in a few details on the form given and then click on send to cast your vote!

Winyo was a top ten finalist for the same award in 2010, and managed to be voted the first runners up. With your support and votes, we can push this gifted and talented artist to get the top prize.

Kindly follow the links below to view Winyo’s profile on RFI website and to cast your vote;

Winyo on RFI Discoveries 2011

Vote for Winyo

Kisumu Peace Festival: Makadem & Winyo

Makadem & Winyo were in Kisumu over the weekend where they performed at the inaugural Kisumu Peace Festival. Despite the less than adequate technical provisions made by the festival organisers(poor sound and PA equipment), the two Ketebul Music artists still gave their best performances judging from the positive reception they received from the tough Kisumu audience who have been known to throw performers off the stage.

Winyo took to the stage on Thursday during the official opening ceremony of the festival which was officiated by the Prime Minister of Kenya R.H Raila Amolo Odinga. His performance of some of the songs off his soon to be released Benga Blues CD, drew three encores from the audience.

Makadem was the closing act on the second day of the three day festival. The Ohanglaman was true to his charismatic and energetic style and had the massive crowd in attendance locked to his every word and step as he unleashed his ‘Anglo Ohangla’ on stage.

You can take a brief pictorial journey into thr event by clicking on the links below;

Winyo @ Kisumu Peace Festival
Makadem @ Kisumu Peace Festival

Winyo Top 10 Finalist for RFi Discoveries 2011

For a second time in as many years, Ketebul Music artist Winyo has been shortlisted as a top 10 finalist for the RFi Discoveries award. Last year, Winyo was a finalist and went on to be selected as the first runners up in a tightly contested competition that saw entries from Africa, the Caribbean, and Indian Ocean Islands.

Voting will soon be open and we would like to appeal to all friends and fans of Winyo and Ketebul Music to come out in large numbers in support of this talented artist.

Stay tuned for more updates.

Winyo Performs in Romania CCF Lasi

One of the stops for Winyo during his European tour was the city of Lasi in Romania. Click on the link below to view some pictures that captured a few moments of the concert;

Winyo in Lasi Romania

Winyo Releases Benga Blues in Europe

During his just concluded tour of Europe, Winyo released a special edition of his CD titled Benga Blues in 4 European countries. The Equation Musique tour that saw im perform in Italy, Germany, Romania and France was a unique opportunity for an international release of the CD which is set for it’s official release in August of this year.

Ketebul Music and our partner Abubilla Music are currently mastering the CD that will be released both online and as hard copies.

Stay posted onto our website, facebook page and Winyo’s facebook page for updates and details of the release date.