Ochieng’ Nelly: The Passing of A Legend

We at Ketebul Music, on behalf of the Kenyan music fraternity and all lovers of benga music regret to announce the sudden passing of veteran musician Ochieng’ Nelly Orwa.

Ochieng’ died on Wednesday 30th April at Kenyatta National Hospital where he had been rushed by family and friends.

Ochieng’ was one of the two surviving members of the original Ogara Boys Band of the 60s which was led by John Ogara Kaisa. This trio, which also included Akech Oyosi Jabuya, are credited as being the pioneers of the old school benga sound.

His passing is especially regrettable coming at this time when we were in the middle of preparations for the upcoming Smithsonian Folklife Festival to be held in Washington DC in June, where Ochieng’ was scheduled to perform.

Ochieng’ Nelly was not just a veteran but an important influence to the younger crop of musicians who wanted to master the art of playing benga music. Shiphton Winyo, Akuku Danger and Eddie Grey are some of the younger generation of musicians who have benefited from Ochieng’s influence and mentor ship.

One of his recent projects was a collaboration with the rap duo of MC Matre from the US and Paleface from Finland on a studio recording which they were set to release. The joke at the studio was that he should start donning bling bling and practicing walking with a rapper’s swagger. We obviously didn’t know he wouldn’t live to see the project come to fruition.

After a chequered musical career that span five decades, Ochieng’ was making a successful comeback to the live music scene and festival circuit. He had secured 14 confirmed bookings to tour Germany, Holland, Belgium and France in 2015, a tour that now has to be cancelled. The French tour follows a series of recordings he did with Radio France International last year. Ochieng’ had also been booked to perform at the closing of the DOADOA music market which will be taking place in Jinja Uganda in May 2014.

He was also keen on re-recording and introducing to the younger generation popular old music from the 1950s by such greats like Olima Anditi and Lango Obiero.

The passing of Ochieng’ Nelly should remind us of the importance of researching and documenting Kenya’s rich and diverse cultural history in order to assist the youth in developing a sound that truly reflects and captures Kenya’s identity.

Our condolences go to the members of his family.

Welcome to Music Monday!

Owing to the fact that it is the first day after the weekend and the beginning of the ‘official’ work man’s week, Monday is normally viewed in sort of a negative light. With terms like ‘Monday Blues,’ in reference to having to get over the effects of an easy going weekend, Mondays are dreaded by both young and old be it in school or the work place.

Well, in an effort to break the ‘Monday Blues’ stigma, and to give you a positive outlook to the day, we would like to welcome you to Musical Monday(s)!

We will be featuring stories, music and profiles of musicians and artistes that we like. This will not be a critics review, but just us pointing out the music we like: more like a musical compass pointing you out to the ‘right’ direction from our perspective.

To start us off this Monday, we will feature the group Sarabi.

Sarabi is Swahili for Mirage. It also means, Imagination, Vision and Creation. They describe their music as a vivid representation of our society, and influenced by the everyday happenings. It features traditional Kenyan rhythms, Benga and a blend of Western sounds.

Sarabi was formed in 2005 and has in the recent years emerged as one of the most exciting and sought after bands in Kenya. The Band is made up of 8 young men, hailing from the Eastlands area of Nairobi, who started playing music before they were even teenagers. They have worked together and grown into an accomplished and solid band, with very high levels of professionalism, that is sometimes lacking in bands who are even twice their age.

They have been described by the press as “The next force in Kenyan music,” (Drum Magazine, Oct 2007) and as being “The new face of AFRO-Fusion in Kenya” (BUZZ Magazine, August 2013).

Sarabi released their debut album titled “OYAORE”- A new beginning in July 2013.

They will be on stage this Friday the 31st of January 2014, performing at the launch of Ketebul Music’s Retracing Kenya’s Songs of Protest.

Be sure to join us and catch Sarabi live on stage where they will perform Fwata Sheria among other of their popular songs.

CLICK HERE for more on Sarabi

CLICK HERE for more on Retracing Kenya’s Songs of Protest

CLICK HERE for details on Retracing Kenya’s Songs of Protest launch concert

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.

Makadem @ Festival International Ollin Kan 2012 & Cannes Film Festival

By Nyakenya

With only a few weeks left before the end of his 3 months music residency in Cite international des Arts in Paris France, Makadem has had a very busy and exciting schedule.

Earlier this month Makadem was in Mexico where he performed at the annual Festival International Ollin Kan. Makadem was accompanied on stage by the One World All Stars band which comprises of musicians from Copenhagen and Berlin.

Upon his return to Paris last week, Makadem performed at the openning of the Cannes Film Festival, one of the world’s most prestigious and publicized international film festival, in Cannes south of France.

During his stay in Paris, Makadem also had the opportunity to meet and rub shoulders with a number of dignitaries from Kenya when they visited France. They included the current Minister For Justice Hon Eugene Wamalwa and the Chairman of IEBC Mr Ahmed Isaak Hassan.

Makadem whose residency comes to a close at the end of this month, will be returning home shortly where he will then headline at the Sawa Sawa festival.

Stay tuned for more updates on this and other stories from Ketebul Music.

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.

Makadem In Paris

By Nyakenya
Contributions by Stefano

Today marks the 3^rd week since Makadem went for his kalimba and guitar residency in Paris, under the Atelier du Monde programme of the Institut Francais. The Ohanglaman (soon to be Kalimbaman) reports that he is already knee deep in class and the groove is on!

Makadem started his first sessions with the Angolan Kalimba maestro Lulendo Mvulu and Togolese guitar virtuoso Amen Viana (www.reverbnation.com/amenviana) on 16th of March. He was, in his own words, blown away by the skills possesed by his 2 mentors and their generosity and willingness to share with him their time and talents.

Makadem is glad not to be alone in the residency programme. Fellow musicians also in Paris for the residency with Makadem are Allis Naaba (www.myspace.com/alifnaaba) from Burkina Fasa and Naby (www.myspace.com/demrek) from Senegal, both of whom he describes as gifted and inspirational.

The Ohanglaman who for the duration of his residency is residing at Cite des Arts in Paris, also took some time off for sight seeing like most tourists would do. The streets of Paris are sure to provide inspiration to Makadem for future compositions.

In true Kenyan style, Makadem was sure not to forget the essentials during his travel. Apart from his guitar and kalimba, the Ohanglaman carried with him his survival kit..!

We wish Makadem all the best and we hope he aquires as much knowledge as possible. We are looking forward to sharing the experience with him when he gets back home.

Message from Ketebul Music to Makadem, “Come back with a new kalimba. The better for you to practice your newly acquired skills on..!”

For more pictures and daily updates from The Ohanglaman himself, follow Makadem on facebook by CLICKING HERE

Featured Pictures courtesy of Makadem

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.

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 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

Makadem,Seun Kuti & Egypt 80, Soweto Kinch

By Nyakenya

Makadem, The Ohanglaman, one of the most exciting musicians and performers from Kenya,opened the stage for the great Nigerian musician Oluseun Anikulapo Kuti,better known as Seun Kuti, son to the legendary Afro Beat pioneer Fela Kuti.

This was a great opportunity and honour for Makadem who has been likened to the great Fela Kuti himself, owing to his energy and  stage presence. This was the sixth performance on Makadem’s One World Scandinavian tour which began on the 20th of October and will be coming to a close on the 19th of November 2011.

Also joining makadem on stage was Soweto Kinch, a renowned British alto saxophonist and rapper.

For more information on this and other shows on the tour CLICK HERE.

Featured photo by Paulo da Costa. To see more photos of Makadem by Paulo da Costa CLICK HERE.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Makadem Opening for Seun Kuti & Egypt 80

Ketebul Music artist Makadem, travels to Europe today for his autumn One World-Scandinavian tour that will see him perform at venues in Denmark & Sweden. The highlight of this extensive one month tour will be opening for Seun Kuti & Egypt 80 in Copenhagen, Denmark on the 28th of October.

Seun Kuti is the youngest son of legendary Nigerian afro beat pioneer Fela Kuti. Seun is backed by his father’s former band, Egypt 80, which consists of musicians that not only played with Fela, but were often arrested and harassed alongside the founder of the Afrobeat movement.

Makadem, renowned for his electrifying performances and high energy on stage, is also set to perform at the 2011 edition of Word Music Expo (WOMEX), backed by his 4 piece band.

Makadem who plays the guitar, kayamba, and kalimba, will perform songs such as Kisumu Bound Bus and Nyar Nairobi City from his debut CD ‘Ohanglaman.’

For information on this tour follow Makadem on: Makadem on Tour