Ketebul Music at Utam Festival
Ketebul Music artists Olith Ratego and Makadem performed at the premiere edition of Utam Festival last weekend, 29th of November 2015. UTAM FESTIVAL is a Kenyan Annual Multi-Cultural Music Festival that gives a platform for global cultural integration using art. The aim of the festival is to showcase, expose and share East African arts and culture to the world.
The event kicked off at 2.30 pm with a brilliant performance by Olith Ratego, who wowed the crowd with his singing skills. Olith played his signature home-made instrument known as the ‘kodo’. He told melodic stories in his music and invited the crowd to journey with him into his musical world.
Olith Ratego
Makadem, also known as Mganga Mkuu, with his charismatic persona and powerful vocal delivery as always had the crowd on their feet. He not only sang to his audience but fully engaged with them throughout his performance.
Ohanglaman Makadem
Crowd dances to Makadem's song Mganga Mkuu
Several other artists from East Africa such as Ricky Na Marafiki, Wangechi, Sarakasi Dancers, Teto Tutuma, Tetu Shani, Giovanni Kiyingi from Uganda, Swahili Ally from Tanzania, and Ugandan Saxophonist Brian Mugenyi among others were also present and showcased their best.
Teto Tutuma
Giovanni Kiyingi from Uganda
From poetry to music to dance… The festival was a blissful blend of art.
Poet Tear Drops on stage
Sarakasi Dancers
The little ones were not left behind…
Kids at UTAM dancing to the beat
The festival offered a cocktail of music, diverse cultures and a beautiful coexistence between different people brought together by their mutual love for music. As the famous Youssou N’Dour once said, “Music is a language”
Photo credits: Quaint Photography.
Ketebul Music Sponsors & Supports the African Creative Economy Conference
In support of the African Creative Economy conference organized by the Arterial Network in Dakar Senegal, Ketebul music sponsored and produced the theme song for the conference.
The song titled Free Africa was written and arranged by Ketebul Music artist and musician, guitar virtuoso Eddie Grey.
Eddie Grey wrote and arranged the music for Free Africa
The song which is a rallying call to all Africans to stand on their own feet and move forward in unity, also features vocals by Olith Ratego and Madargascan singer Favor. It also features nyatiti player Rapasa Nyathrapas Nyapwapwa.
Olith Ratego's vocals featured in Free Africa
Rapasa Nyathrapas Rapwapwa
Free Africa has been describes as a great wake up call to the entire continent and international community, and a beautiful message of hope for all by Thabiso Blak Mashaba of Blak Audio Fire from Botswana. He goes on to call it a timeless arrangement and sheer vocals by the Ketebul movement.
Free Africa is available on sound cloud: CLICK HERE
CLICK HERE for more information on the African Creative Economy
CLICK HERE for more information on the Arterial Network
Olith Ratego Heading To Dusseldorf, Germany
Ketebul Music artist Olith Ratego is heading to Dusseldorf in Germany on Friday the 16th of November, for a series of performances with German choreographer Morgan Nardi.
Olith Ratego and Morgan met in Nairobi when Morgan was in town for the solos and duets dance festival. After a chance meeting at the Godown Arts Centre, Morgan invited Olith to perform with him at the Visa Oshwal centre. Impressed by the outcome of their performance and Olith’s music, Morgan promised to work with him again in future.
Olith Ratgeo holding his self made lyre the Kodo
The performances will feature dance pieces choreographed by Morgan Nardi to Olith Ratego’s song titled Anindo. During the performances which are coproduced by Tanzahaus NRW, Olith Ratego will sing and play his self made lyre live as Morgan Nardi and company perform their dance pieces.
Olith Ratego will depart Nairobi for Dusseldorf on the 16th of November for a series of reheasals with Morgan Nardi before the performances which are scheduled for the 22nd, 23rd and 24th of November.
Kudos to Olith Ratego for flying the Ketebul Music and Kenyan flags high!
CLICK HERE for information on Morgan Nardi.
CLICK HERE for information on Tanzhaus NRW
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.
Ogoya Nengo and Olith ratego on stage at Ngome Kongwe
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 and Olith Ratego backstage after their performance
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, 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
