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.

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

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).

We at Ketebul Music extend our gratitude to Institut Francais for giving Makadem this opportunity.

Featured photo ©Paulo da Costa

Makadem on TV 2 GO /Morgen-Tv

On 28th of October, Makadem was in the studios of Danish National TV Station TV 2 GO/Morgen TV.

Together with his band, Makadem performed DHI NDALO, a song from his current album OHANGLAMAN and was backed up by Soweto Kinch, Carl Winther, Yohan Ramon and Yuliesky Guerra Gonzalez.

CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE VIDEO

Featured photo by Derek Ruttan, London Free Press

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.

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

Makadem, Winyo & Olith Ratego for Rift Valley Festival, Naivasha

This September, Ketebul Music will take Naivasha by storm when three of our artists will take on stage for the annual Rift Valley Festival.

Set on the banks of Lake Naivasha at Fishaerman’s Camp, the Rift Valley Festival is a must see event for anyone wishing to catch Makadem, Olith Ratego and Winyo live on stage.

Globe trotting Makadem will take to the stage on Friday 02 on what will be one of his final local shows this year before he embarks on yet another tour of Europe and South America.

Olith Ratego will be on stage on Saturday 03 with his own blend of Ohangla.

Two time RFI Discpveries Award nominee Winyo will wind up the Ketebul roster on Sunday o4 with his Benga Blues.

For more details on the festival, click on the link below;
RIft Valley Festival

Kisumu Peace Festival: Makadem & Winyo

Makadem & Winyo were in Kisumu over the weekend where they performed at the inaugural Kisumu Peace Festival. Despite the less than adequate technical provisions made by the festival organisers(poor sound and PA equipment), the two Ketebul Music artists still gave their best performances judging from the positive reception they received from the tough Kisumu audience who have been known to throw performers off the stage.

Winyo took to the stage on Thursday during the official opening ceremony of the festival which was officiated by the Prime Minister of Kenya R.H Raila Amolo Odinga. His performance of some of the songs off his soon to be released Benga Blues CD, drew three encores from the audience.

Makadem was the closing act on the second day of the three day festival. The Ohanglaman was true to his charismatic and energetic style and had the massive crowd in attendance locked to his every word and step as he unleashed his ‘Anglo Ohangla’ on stage.

You can take a brief pictorial journey into thr event by clicking on the links below;

Winyo @ Kisumu Peace Festival
Makadem @ Kisumu Peace Festival

Makadem: The Ohanglaman Goes To Europe

Ketebul Music’s premier artist Makadem the Ohangla Man continues to soar to greater heights. Lately, Europe seems to be his preferred destination for mega concerts.

His nordic tour will not only see him play at venues in Denmark and Sweden, but will also include Canada whre he will perform at the Festival Nuits d´Afrique in Montreal and Sumfest in Ontario.

Please visit Ohangla Man in Europe for dates and venues of Makadem’s tour.