The African Pot

Kayamba Africa will perform traditional songs a capella from East and Central Africa in honor of Madaraka Day, the day Kenya gained self-rule. Live from Kenya! Not to be missed! What time is the concert in MY TIME ZONE?

Em seus doze anos juntos, o Kayamba Africa se estabeleceu não apenas como o grupo vocal mais requisitado do Quênia, mas também como uma das bandas independentes mais bem-sucedidas da África. Além das vendas substanciais de CDs de seus próprios lançamentos independentes (50.000 cópias vendidas e contando), o grupo fez muitas turnês pelo Quênia e pelo exterior, construindo sua base financeira com uma lista constante de festivais e shows particulares que acabaram levando a turnês esgotadas em teatros e pequenas arenas.

Kayamba Africa began at Kenyatta University with Juma Odemba, who sings baritone and lead vocals, Moses Ekirapa, Argwings Kodhek, while were attending a wedding 1998. Shortly after forming, the group auditioned for a local entertainment star search, which helped jump-start the group’s performance and appearance schedule. Tenor, Simon Ngigi, and bass, Antony Ondeng, Patrick Ondondo joined soon after.

Juntos, o sexteto alcançou proeminência nacional com aparições na KBC e na Drum Magazine. Desde o início do grupo, os membros, com uma pequena equipe de apoiadores motivados, supervisionaram e operaram os negócios da Kayamba Africa, transformando um pequeno negócio de alguns milhares de shillings no que é hoje uma empresa de responsabilidade limitada.

The group had to overcome a number of obstacles, including an unspoken apprehension to a cappella acts by individuals in the music industry and having a name that was anything but catchy (A reed instrument) and constant infighting for leadership and musical directions leading in some members leaving. Still, the group persevered, recording and manufacturing its own records and selling them to a growing legion of fans through the live shows and in shops, in the lobby of the theaters where they performed, and through a growing national distribution. One could say they gained their current consumer popularity the old-fashioned way; they earned it.

At present, Kayamba Africa just released their forth album, entitled “Dhahabu” on the heels of their previous projects (Kayamba Africa Vol 1 [DVD], Simba, Sherehe, Kayamba Africa. The recordings contain indelible voices and percussion and instrumentation. This outstanding blend has resulted in multiple Contemporary traditional music, Kora Awards nominations, considerable national press, and has landed their music on every continent.