R.I.P Frank Odoi
By Stefano
Frank Odoi, the renown cartonist, best known for his Akokhan comic series, died on Saturday, April 21, in a bus accident.
As we mourn the passing of a great artist and a son of Africa, let us remember the intrigue, laughter, and debates that his art provoked in us.
Apart from entertaining us, Frank Odoi, through his art, was a champion for social change, and for that, we humbly pay our respects.
“Where grass hass grown, grass will always grow..”
Frank Odoi.
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!
Winyo at the Kisumu Peace Festival 2011
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
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.
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.
Gilberto Gil, the 2012 - 2013 mentor for the Rolex Mentor & Protégé Arts Initiative.
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.
Winyo on stage in Lasi, Romania
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.
SInging Wells Project – Rift Valley/ Trans Nzoia Chapter
By Stefano Sita Nne
It’s that time again!
Once again we are heading out to another Singing Wells excursion, this time to Rift Valley and Trans Nzoia.
Together with our partners Abubilla Music (www.abubillamusic.com), we will spend a total of 6 days in the field recording music of the Kalenjin.
The Kalenjin community belongs to the Nilotic ethnic group. These highland Nilotes include eight culturally and linguistically related groups or tribes, namely Kipsigis, Nandi, Tugen, Marakwet, Keiyo, Pokot, Sabaot and Terik. The Kalenjin languages spoken by these groups include the Keyo (Keiyo), Cherangany, Tugen, Nandi and Kipsigis (Kipsikiis, Kipsikis) languages (excerpt from www.kenya-information-guide.com).
The SWP Rift Valley chapter kicked off on the 2nd of March with the arrival of Jimmy, Kathy and Hunter from London. Kathy joins us for the first time as an observer from the Abubilla Music Foundation, who have been supporting the Singing WElls Project from it’s inception. Hunter is also a new member to the SWP team, and he joins our video section as Camera Op 03.
Also new to the project is guitarist extraodimaire Eddie Grey. Eddie who justy recently released his sophomore album titled Stories by The Lake, will feature as the influences artist.
THe itinerary for this trip wil see us ariving in Kitale on the 4th of March. With Kitale as the Hq for the first 2days, we will travel to Mt Elgon and Kapenguria focusing on the Sabaot and the Pokot.
On the 7th of March we will head out to Iten and Kapsowar to record the Marakwet and the Keiyo with Eldoret as our Hq.
The 8th of March, our final day of recording, will see us travel to Baringo to record the music of the Tugen, before finally heading back to Nairobi on the 9th of March.
This won’t be the end of the project just yet. During the excursion, we will identify singers and performers from the regions visited and bring them back with us to Ketebul Music studios in Nairobi. We will record these artists for our influences sessions over the weekend of the 10th and 11th.
Stay tuned for more updates on the SWP Rift Valley/ Trans Nzoia Chapter. You can also visit FIELD REPORTS on Singing Wells websites for more updates, videos and soundbites from the field.
Ogoya Nengo: Sauti za Busara 2012 Summary
By Stefano Sita Nne
After a week of rehearsal at Alliance Francaise with her 8 piece band, Ogoya Nengo finally jetted into Zanzibar on the 9th of February. Despite the high temperatures that they were not accustomed to, the group was in high spirits rearing to get on stage and give a dose of Dodo and Ohangla Music.
The following morning, the group which comprised of Ogoya Nengo on lead vocals, Olith Ratego, Margaret Ondiege Asin and Wilfrida Anyango on support vocals, Joseph Oloo aka Maumbo on ohangla, Boaz Aketch on Orutu, George Achieng’ on drums, Tobias Onyango on traditional drums and Joseph Ojung’a on the oporo (horn), were up bright and early and ready for their scheduled soundcheck at Ngome Kongwe (the Old Fort) in Stonetown, the venue of Sauti za Busara Festival 2012.
Fast forward to showtime later that evening at 8.20pm, Ogoya Nengo’s powerful vocals reverberated accross the fort’s walls, to the delight and applause from the crowd after each and every song.
Ogoya Nengo and Olith ratego on stage at Ngome Kongwe
At one point, Camirata Group from Northern Sudan who had peformed the previous night, were so impressed by Ogoya Nengo’s performance that they jumped on stage and danced along with Ogoya Nengo.
At the end of her set, Ogoya walked off the stage to another roar of applause from the audience.
Ogoya Nengo and Olith Ratego backstage after their performance
Ogoya Nengo had a day to explore and discover Zanzibar before taking her flight back to Nairobi on the 12th of February.
Featured photos courtesy Ketebul Music
Ogoya Nengo For Sauti za Busara Festival
By Stefano
Ogoya Nengo, the matriach of Ketebul Music will be gracing the stage at Ngome Kongwe in Stone Town, Zanzibar during the Sauti za Busara Festival.
Ogoya Nengo - The Dodo Queen
Ogoya who is no stranger to performing at international stages will be taking the stage on the 10th of February accompanied by her long time collaborators Margaret Asin, Wilfrida Owit and Olith Ratego and a 6piece band which will include famed kenge Kenge orutu player, George Achieng’ and Ohangla drum maestro Maumbo.
Magaret Asin, Ogoya Nengo and Maombo
George Achieng' (far right) on orutu
Maombo, the Ohangla drum and percussions maestro
She will perform and showcase music from her debut studio CD titled Matatu, which features songs done in the dodo style from the lake region of Kenya.
You can catch up with Ogoya and her band on the 10th of February from 8.20pm.
Mulatu Astatke: Ethio-Kenyan Fusion @ Ketebul Music
By Stefano Sita Nne
The past week proved to be an event filled one for us at Ketebul Music. We had the pleasure and honor to host one of Africa’s living music legends: Mulatu Astatke.
Mulatu Astatke is an Ethiopian jazz musician, who is credited as being the father and founder of Ethio – Jazz. He was the first African to be admitted to Berkley College of Music. In the early 1970s, Astatke brought his new sound, which he called Ethio-jazz, back to his homeland. while continuing to work in the US. He collaborated with many notable artists in both countries, arranging and playing on recordings by Mahmoud Ahmed, and appearing as a special guest with Duke Ellington and his band during a tour of Ethiopia in 1973 (Quoted from Wikipedia).
Following a meeting with Ketebul Music’s Executive Director, Tabu Osusa in Johannesburg late last year, Mulatu visited Ketebul Music studios last week and spent time recording material for his upcoming project.
Mulatu Astatke and Tabu Osusa at Ketebul Music Studios
Mulatu spent the time recording and arranging music with the latest addition to the Ketebul Music family, Eddie Grey. This was a collaborative effort where one of the songs with the working title, ‘Ethio Kenyan Fusion’ also featuring Rapasa on Nyatiti and Rashid Jibril on percussions, with the maestro himself on the piano, and Eddie Grey on the guitar.
Mulatu Astatke in studio with Eddie Grey and Rapasa recording Ethio-Kenyan Fusion
Mulatu Astatke in a studio session with Eddie Grey and Rashid Jibril at Ketebul Music Studios
Makadem For Music Residency In Paris, France
It seems like globe trotting will again be the order of the day for Ketebul Music artist Makadem. The Ohanglaman will soon be packing his bags as he takes off for a 3 month music residency in Paris, France.
Supported by the Institut Francais under the Ateliers du Monde programme, Makadem was selected for the residency programme which will see him study under internationally reknown kalimba maestro, Lolendo Mvulu, with the intention of improving his kalimba playing skills.
Makadem who spent the better part of last year in Europe, will also use his time in Paris interacting with other musicians like the critically acclaimed Congolese guitarist Syrian M’Benza.known for his collaborations with the likes of Sam Mangwana, Vicky Longomba and Nyboma to name but a few. Syrian M’Benza is widely acknowledged as one of Africa’s finest and most accomplished guitarists (quoted from African Musician’s Profiles).
Makadem in Copenhagen 2011. Photo courtesy One World
We at Ketebul Music extend our gratitude to Institut Francais for giving Makadem this opportunity.
Featured photo ©Paulo da Costa
Retracing Kenya’s Funky Hits Released
Retracing Kenya’s Funky Hits has finaly been released! This third edition from Ketebul Music’s retracing series, is a research based documentary on the influence that American funkl and soul had on the Kenya’n pop culture of the 70s and 80s.
Compiled over a period of one and a half years, Retracing Kenya’s Funky Hits is packaged as a narrative booklet, an audio CD compilation of 15 Kenyan funk numbers from Slim Ali, Kelly Brown, Steele Beauttah, Sal Davies,Ismael Jingo, Feisal Brown, the Ashantis, The Mighty Cavaliers, The Hodi Boys, Black Savage and Air Fiesta Matata, and a DVD.
Sal Davies
Steele Beauttah
Kelly Brown
For details on where to get your copy, call us on 0720 561 198
Featured photo: Air Fiesta Matata
Happy New Year & A Prosperous 2012!
Ketebul Music would like to welcome back all our friends, partners, clients and fans as we reopen our doors today.
We hope you all had a wonderful festive season break and are in good health ready to take on this new year.
We pray that this new year will bring prosperity to you all.
Stay tuned for more exciting projects and news from Ketebul Music. We have a lot of great projects and releases lined up for this year, and we are looking forward to sharing them with you!
Gargar on Tour – Day 06: Mon 19 Sept 2011
St. Patrick’s Hotel, Bulawayo
After breakfast, Gilmore picked Toby and I and we went over to the AF Bulawayo offices. We both wanted to catch up on some mail.
Fabien came by with some worrying news. According to our itinerary, we were meant to leave Bulawayo on Tuesday afternoon by bus to arrive in Johannesburg on Wednesday morning. But due to some miscommunication, we were not being expected in Johannesburg before Thursday morning.
This meant we could not depart Bulawayo on Wednesday afternoon to arrive Joburg on Thursday morning. This presented a whole new set of problems: were supposed to check out of St. Patrick’s Hotel Bulawayo on Tuesday morning, and the bus we were booked into for the road trip to Joburg was only available on Tuesdays and Sundays.
In short, Fabien had to find us a place to sleep on Tuesday evening and a bus to Joburg on Wednesday afternoon! He was clearly stressed, but he promised to have it sorted out. He suggested we all spent Wednesday night at his place. I was skeptical when he suggested we share beds and I told him that won’t be possible. We could share rooms but not beds. Fabien assured me he would find enough beds so that no one would have to share a bed. All the same, I had a talk with the guys to prepare them psychologically just in case Fabien wasn’t able tofind enough beds for everyone.
Rainbow Hotel, Bulawayo
After lunch at Papa’s, we took the short walk to Rainbow Hotel, the venue for the nights show, for set up and sound check. The sound crew was the same from the Hillside Dams gig. They hadn’t finished setting up, so once again we sent the ladies back to the hotel and then went off for a walk in town as the crew finished setting up.
We came back to the venue an hour at 5.00pm later to find them running a line check. Half an hour later they were done and we did a quick sound check and headed back to the hotel to rest before the show that evening.
Rainbow Hotel, Bulawayo – Intwasa Festival Opening Ceremony
We were back at the Rainbow Hotel at half seven (7.30pm). The other act of the day, Rainbow Marimba Group, was still on stage winding up on their set. They were a pretty impressive group, playing popular tunes only on the marimbas.
Rainbow Marimba, opening act for Gargar at Intwasa Festival in Bulawayo
The ladies, who had been taken to their dressing room by Gilmore as soon as we got there, came over to the hall dressed in some very intricate red costumes that had everyone gasping. I could hear murmurs from the audience as they pointed at Gargar, clearly impressed by their look.
Amina of Gargar in their red Somali dresses at Intwasa Festival
We had planned the show a little different this evening. We would break into two sets of 4 songs each. After the first set, Rainbow Marimba would come back for their second set followed by Gargar for their second set.
Luli was on fire this evening. She took to the dance floor from the first song, walking into the audience calling on them to join her on the dance floor. There was a large attendance by campus students who danced all through the set.
Luli giving an intense performance at Intwasa Festival
The audience was full of dancing university students
For their second set, Gargar changed their clothes and came on stage dressed in traditional Islamic black dresses called ‘buibui.’ Once again they worked the audience into a frenzy especially with their last song, the funk oriented Sar, which had so far been the audience’s favorite in all the shows. The standing ovation from the audience when Gargar stepped off stage was very touching, and Luli was clearly moved by the feeling of appreciation.
Gargar dressed in traditional black buibui's
St Patrick’s Hotel, Bulawayo
The same cycle repeated itself back at the hotel after the show, everyone else went off to bed, while Shady, Erico, and I whiled away the hours watching TV and drinking beer supplied to us courtesy of Fabien.
