Kahithe Kiiru Staff Profile
…n Anthropology (ABD) at the same university. She was recently appointed Head Choreographer for Bomas of Kenya, a national dance troupe tasked with the mission to preserve, promote and showcase Kenyan traditional music and dance worldwide. She has been a scientific advisor with Ketebul Music since 2015 and worked on Ngoma Zetu(2016) and Singing Wells Masters of the Nyatiti(2017) and Signing Wells Western Kenya(2018) projects….
Day 5 – Wednesday 5th July 2017 Story
…. He picked it up later in his career and studied from a player/teacher at the national cultural centre of Bomas of Kenya in the 1980s. He remembers he had gone for 6 lessons (at a 100 shillings) only and then continued practicing and experimenting by himself. It was equally interesting to hear his theory of the name nyatiti, which he translated from the Luo word nyar as queen and titi, making it “the queen of the clan”. The most interesting point…
Tabu Osusa Staff Profile
…ser and band manager. He has been actively involved in shaping the careers and running some of the top recording and performing bands and artists in the country, including the much acclaimed Orchestra Virunga and The Nairobi City Ensemble, and more recently Iddi Achieng,’ Makadem, Suzanna Owiyo, Olith Ratego, Ogoya Nengo, Gargar and Winyo to mention but a few. Together with the director of Alliance Française in Nairobi, Tabu Osusa co-chairs the st…
We assemble in Kisumu Story
…i the day before. We are very happy to be joined by ethnomusicologist, Kahithe, and we welcome her to the Singing Wells family. A bit of background: Kahithe is a Ethnomusicologist and dance researcher but is also a dancer, choreographer and dance teacher. She is a skilled researcher with extensive experience in ethnographic research and fieldwork management. She has 8 years of experience in ethnomusicological research in East Africa, with a specia…
Andy Patterson Staff Profile
…ng both engineering and technical duties for a wide range of clients, from the world of pop music through to film composers. He has worked with Abubilla Music for around 5 years and has co-engineered and produced all of the releases to date. His past clients have included the late Gerry Rafferty, Q Radio, Bauer Media and Live8. His role for The Singing Wells project sees him heading up the engineering team in the field. He also works on the post p…
Kiplagat Edwin Kwambai aka Fifty Cows Staff Profile
…ated from the Kenya Institute of Mass Communication with a Diploma in Film and Video Production, specializing in Sound Techniques. He proceeded to the University of Nairobi where he graduated in 2010 with a Degree in Journalism and Media Studies specializing in Development Communication. He is currently pursuing an MBA in Strategic Management at the same Institution. In 2005, Fifty Cows joined Kass Fm, a local vernacular radio station as a Studio…
James Allen Staff Profile
…Harvard University and an MA in International Economics from Johns Hopkins. He is a dual US-British citizen and has lived in the United Kingdom, with his wife and three children, since 1995. He is chair of trustees for The Abubilla Music Foundation. During the Singing Wells field recording trips Jimmy is a volunteer video engineer and writes daily field reports about for the project website….
Day Five: Ilesi, Khayega to Kisumu Story
…to match the procession. We asked them to pick their favourite processions and then play a couple songs within these. They played: The Shirembe procession, which is a special funeral for a very big local hero, where you might even stage a bullfight on the grave. The songs included: Kutaywa: Literally means a ‘cock’ and is to let you know that this is a great man, who ‘rules the roost’ so to be speak. The singer mourns that a great man is lost and…
Day two: From Sirisia to Mabuyole Falls Story
…med his own band. Weput Khulu Namatete (Samuel) then recruited new members and the band has stayed very active and prosperous, playing in the Tindikiti style. The play at hotels, festivals, weddings, funerals, etc.. In terms of instruments they have: Luengere: Drums Eng’oma: Drums Litungu: Strings They performed the following songs: Kuzula Ni Bora: This is a song that emphasizes that prevention is better than the cure. The singer takes us through…
Mperwa Dancers Group
…Music of the Batwa Lead vocalist: Jovah Nyiramajoro…
Day 2 – Sunday 2nd July 2017 Story
…l details on sizes and measurements for resonators as well as for the arms and the head; note vernacular names of tools used for making a nyatiti (patas, pel, etc.); learn details on choice and procurement of nyatiti skin for the resonator; note on methods of attaching strings to the resonator; and confirm that transmission of skills was traditionally done solely by observation. Obong’o also spoke of 3 witchcraft stories associated to competitions…
Introduction: Project overview and objectives Story
…art, complementing Abubilla and Ketebul’s work in relation to SW’s mission and to the novelty of this specific series. According to its original concept, the Singing Wells Masters series aims at recording and documenting master players and instrument makers of various Kenyan/African instruments as they: a) Make their respective instruments;b) Tune the said instruments;c) Give master classes to other musicians of those particular instruments;d)…
Supaki Kalazi Group
…Music of the Mijikenda Junda, Mombasa, Kenya Group Leader: Katana bin Kalama; performers: Agnes Kalama, Dama Chengo, Shida Kalu, Kalame Kathengi, Charo Kazunga, Mwalewa Mwatanje, Mwachiro Mwamuge, Kai, Athami Ngala, Mtawali Kazungu, Kitsao Kiraga, Abraham Mwalimu, Shikari, Amina Hamisi, Eunice Kenga…
Embolot Group Group
…Music of the Kalenjin Iten, Kenya…
Kasagat Traditional Dancers Group
…Music of the Kalenjin Iten, Kenya…
Chebonet Group
…Music of the Kalenjin Kapsokwony, Kenya…