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Jazz & Soul Safari: The Beginnings, The Evolution & Growth, The 10th Anniversary, The Future and A Road Trip to Remember

The Beginnings The dream, the idea, to bring Jazz to the masses across East and Central Africa was first conceived by TShaka Mayanja, a well-known Music Promoter, Producer, Songwriter and Lead Bassist to the band, Blackroots Unlimited. TShaka later shared this idea with his friend and host of the popular Jazz Evening show on Radio One FM, Elijah Kitaka. With support from some generous sponsors the first Jazz Safari concert dubbed, “ The Sizzling Jazz Safari ”, took place on the 19 th December, 2008 right outside Ange Mystique at the parking lot. The event featured Saxophonist Eric Marienthal, drummer Oscar Seaton and host of other local and regional artists. And from that inaugural event Jazz Safari was born and off to a good start. The Evolution and Growth On its second edition, in the following year, it moved from the humble beginning that was Ange Mystique’s car park to set camp at the grand space that is Kampala Serena Hotel’s Victoria Auditorium. More recently, as...
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Jamming at the Capital FM Jazz Club Show

Below I've compiled a list of the music I shared yesterday on the Capital FM Jazz Club Show for anyone who might be interested in looking up the music. Artist Album Name Track Gangbe Brass Band Assiko (Benin) Nikki Lira Soul In Minda (South Africa) Makubenjalo Jonas Waitt (Denmark) Crash and Burn Maia Von Lekow Maia Von Lekow (Kenya) Sunflower Avenue Yanni Yanni (USA) Nightingale Yanni Yanni (USA) Dance with A Stranger The Rippingtons Life in the Tropics (USA) Caribbean Breeze Joseph Hellon Ekkaleo (Kenya) Herani Kende Jazz Tu The Good The Bad & the Ugali (Kenya) Blues for Simon Was a total blast..teamed up with David Njuki and hosted by Jack Ojiambo . Looking forward to another invite... 
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Concert Review: Hugh Masekela Live @ The Carnivore, Nairobi

This is a guest post from my good friend David Njuki , Thank you my friend.  I've also posted the first part in a 4 part series of the Interview Hugh Masekela had with Jeff Koinange on Capital Talk . Enjoy!  -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- By David Njuki Hugh Masekela needs no introduction if you are an avid music listener. His concert in Nairobi was highly publicized. One could tell this by looking at the number of cars in the parking lot it was obvious that this one going to be packed to the rafters. Inside there was a lot of pomp from large crowd, all strategic "stage view" positions were already taken and folks were already nodding their heads and swaying to the opening act. Aaron Rimbui was the curtain raiser for Masekela, an honour for any musician. I could point out him doing his now infamous tracks "Alfajiri" and "Benin" I would certainly love to hear new stuff from h...
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CD Review:Matopeni By Mutinda

Mutinda , a self-taught musician, first burst into the limelight during the 2005 Spotlight on Kenyan Music (a program for the development and promotion of Kenyan afro-fusion music) where he emerged the top male artiste. And his star has been on the raise since then, with the recent award he won after being crowned as the first Kenyan to win the prestigious International Songwriting Award 2010 . His debut album, Matopeni, blends afro-fusion and jazzy styles but most of all it has a feel of authenticity and soul which is not so common with most his contemporaries. It maybe have something to do with the lyrics highly portent; speaking of adoration in “Mama”, nostalgic in “Vala Vandu” (Kamba for “That Place”), encouraging in Take Heart (“Osa Vinya”) and many more. The authenticity, I guess, comes also from the comfort of the languages he uses (Kikamba and Swahili); Kikamba being his mother tongue and Swahili being a second language to many in Kenya. There is also the simplicity of it mak...
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Ayub Ogada Live at the Goethe-Institut, Nairobi

This past Saturday I got back to Nairobi all set and eager to see live on stage Ayub Ogada . This, I understand, was his second performance in Kenya since he got back to country, a little over 2 years ago. It was going to be my first to see him perform live. Ayub Ogada stands out as arguably the best known Kenyan musician internationally, though still very much unknown or celebrated in his very own backyard- Kenya. On arrival at the venue, at the Goethe-Institut in downtown Nairobi, I was pleasantly surprised to be greeted by an overflowing hall.   It was literally bursting at its seams, figuratively speaking, I could not get a sitting space let alone a place to stand I was by the side door poking my head to see and hear this world music legend. And he certainly didn’t disappoint and more importantly the audience struck a chord with his unique sound and his mastery of the Nyatiti (a lyre-like stringed instrument). There was   group of young men (most likely college...
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Eric Wainaina, Baaba Maal Live in Concert, Tonight @ The Dome

Baaba Maal will tonight be performing first, at the Nairobi National Museum at an exclusive invite-only event, then there after head down to The Sarakasi Dome, Ngara to perform alongside our very own Eric Wainaina . Baaba Maal, an internationally renowned artist, is a Senegalese singer, guitarist and also known to play the percussion. Though Tuesday is not the best of days for an event of such stature it's definitely one you don't want to miss. See you there...
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Sierra Jazz 2010 Postponed

We're sorry to inform you that the highly anticipated Sierra Jazz Concert 2010 has been postponed from the proposed date, to Sunday, November 7th 2010.  The announcement from the organizers send out through Facebook read as follows: Dear Sierra Jazz Safari Supporter, We apologize that we will have to wait for the legendary Jazz Guitarist, Jonathan Butler a little longer. Sierra Jazz Safari 2010 has had to be postponed from the proposed date, to Sunday, November 7th 2010. This has occurred due to some unforeseen events beyond our control. However, the venue and time for the proposed event remain the same. We appreciate your continued support and apologize for any inconveniences caused. Ticket sales begin on the 10th day of October at Sierra Yaya Center. Sierra…Beyond Ordinary
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