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…. His voice has been likened to that of a singing bird. He is a singer/songwriter of great sensitivity and an acoustic guitar player, backed by his 5-piece band of accomplished musicians. Winyo derives his music and musical strength from his fore fathers whose African music was rich in melody and traditional harmonies. His musical style ranges from traditional Luo melodies infused with witty story lines, afro fusion and afro jazz, to a contemporar…
Hiari Ya Moyo Group
…their grandfathers and is located in Dodoma. They are from the Wanyamwezi Community and performed in the Ngoma Style. Their instruments include: Ngoma (drums) and Njuga ( bells). We recorded four performances: Muhala Wane: a love song Kauwowa Naye: a song urging the youth to be brave in facing the challenges in everyday life Mwanana: a song in praise of one’s friend. Lyuwa Laloka: it is sunset and time to conclude whatever business and return hom…
Kika Boys Cultural Troupe Group
…talks through each step to make the brew that locals consume: Butuuse: The time has come for cutting down the bananas to make local brew Zisobebwe: It means it is time to collect the Mbidde (bananas) Zitandikwe: this means the bananas are now to be buried into a hole dug in the group so they can ripen Siwa Siwa: This talks about grinding the millet on a stone while other people bring gourds in which the local brew will be poured and served Mbereju…
Nyatiti Instrument
…strings of the Nyatiti in that the lower 4 string represent the first 4 days after a male’s birth and the upper 4 strings represent the first 4 days after a male’s death. Notable players Ayub Ogada, who played on our 71 Hours to Monday re-mix, spent time in the UK and provided music for the film The Constant Gardener. The late Okumu K’Orengo performed for the Singing Wells project a short time before his death. Japanese artist Anyango became the…
Martin Fredrick Muyeshi Staff Profile
…here he went on to work on several studio projects, among them the studio’scompilation “retracing” series that include Retracing Benga Music, Retracing Kikuyu Popular Music, Retracing Kenya’s Funk Music, Retracing Songs of Protest and the book Shades Of Benga: The story of Popular Music in Kenya, to which he contributed his photos. His work has also featured on Voice of America’s “Music Time In Africa” under the Host Heather Maxwell as well as t…
Watmon Cultural Group Group
…nce troupe, and was met with a positive reaction. Eventually he had people coming to him asking to be a part of it, and from that point the group became an institution. In the fallout of the war against Idi Amin’s regime, many people were looking for an escape, and the troupe presented just such an opportunity. The group performed for President George Bush during a state visit to Uganda. They were also recorded in 2012 for the BBC’s World Routes a…
Group 6: Sudi Mavenge Story
…es. Kantengwa – this was a deeply sad original story that inspired Sudi to write the song. A boy was in love with a girl, Kantengwa. They met for the first time but then the girl went back and had an accident and was hospitalised – the boy spent three weeks without knowing what had happened to her. The day he finally found out and was able to visit her in hospital was the day she died – he didn’t get to say goodbye. Kibuguzo (a Rwandan board game)…
Day Four: 10 March 2022 (Rongo) Story
…at Treat House Resort at 5:30pm and true to the professional that he has become, gave an exemplary performance without any re-takes. By 7:00pm his session was completed and he was on his way back to Kisii County. The next group was Otacho Young Stars who began their performance at 8:00pm. Otacho Young Stars were also no strangers since we recorded them in 2011 as part of the Singing Wells project. These musicians are now in their 30s and no longer…
Day One: 7 March 2022 (Shikangania and Mukumu) Story
…nique which his late father helped to develop. Through the years, he has become incomparable to anyone when it comes to interpreting his late father’s songs. He is married to Leah Mbone with whom he has eight children and presently lives in the Marura suburbs of Eldoret town. DAY 1: Monday, 07 March 2022 Act Two Artiste: Julius Itenya and Super Phoenix Band Genre: Maveka (Lipala) Location: Kibukosya’s Gazebo – Mukumu Field Notes: The drive to the…
Kayamba Instrument
…The Kayamba is a shaker, with a cross bar which is played with the thumbs at the same time as it is is shaken – producing a percussive ‘hit’ at the same time as the traditional ‘shaker’ sound. We bought a couple of the Kayamba shakers from the musicians, and these became the founding items in the Singing Wells percussion library….
Twone Mbee Group
…are praising. ‘Nzembanie na ivinda’: (Chasing After Time). This song talks about the President’s call to stop corruption. The call to chase after time comes from the society that won’t condone these malpractices….
Hannah Calascione Staff Profile
…cording in the field. …
Muwewesi Xylophone Group Group
… Muwewesi Xylophone Group featuring Muniru Ayubu and Kisubi Eliasa on lead vocals. Song meanings “Obutasoma”: a song about education. “Obwiire Bukyeire”: meaning ‘the time has come’. “Obwayu”: a song about poverty. …
Day 3 – Monday 3rd July 2017 Story
…ng a sacrifice upon completion of each instrument in an equally liberal way: “it’s upon the client”. Thus, our day with Sewa Oriwo was, I believe, very pertinent, since it was at the same time technically the most complete demonstration of nyatiti making and revealed the commercial side of the craft and the evolution of nyatiti making….
Day 9 – Sunday 9th July 2017 Story
…ed to establish if there was any contact and exchange between neighbouring communities that would give birth to common tunes or influence instruments’ shapes and music styles, etc. 1. Source: Wikipedia 2. The most widely used instruments classification system first devised in 1914 by musicologists Erich Moritz von Hornbostel and Curt Sachs; English version published much later in 1961; most current updated version: “Revision of the Hornbostel‐Sa…
Mission Page
…trate that preserving cultural music heritage will help sustain a vibrant and successful community Forge partnerships with other NGOs and corporations to help sustain successful village communities We are Singing Wells – watch our video…