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Janzi Band
Ugandan music group From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Janzi Band, sometimes simply Janzi, is a Ugandan afro-fusion, contemporary and world music group formed on 27 August 2009 by Ssewa Ssewa and friends Abraham Sekasi, Jackson Kirya and Steven Oundo. The band has a hybrid repertoire of music, including notable covers as well as an original ethno-pop discography. The band has worked alongside a number of Ugandan musicians, including Lilian Mbabazi and A Pass.
They are known for the creation of a new Ugandan harp-like instrument, the Janzi.
Their first album, Eka (Home) was released in on i-Tunes in 2017.
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Background
Janzi is a Luganda word that means grasshopper, which according to the founders Ssewa Ssewa and friends Abraham Sekasi, Jackson Kirya and Steven Oundo,[2] means that Janzi Band flies like grasshoppers. In 2009, Ssewa Ssewa and Abraham developed an idea to start a project that could aid cultural development through music. Their ambition was to unite cultures of different regions in the world through combining music of different ethnic origins.[3]
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Career
Since its inception in 2009, Janzi Band has steadily grown and has performed at different gigs in Uganda such as Zone 7 in Bugolobi, Club Amnesia, Big Mikes at Acacia Avenue and several casual and corporate functions.[4][5][6] They have also performed at the annual Blankets and Wine festival, Milege World Music Festival in 2013 and 2015, Pearl Rhythm Festival, Bayimba Festival and others.[citation needed]
In 2016, they headlined the Tokosa Food Festival with Ugandan musician Lilian Mbabazi,[7] and in the same year collaborated with A Pass at the Chronixx Show.[8]
As of April 2019[update], their music is described on their Facebook page as "all-acoustic, all-traditional ensemble" as well as "an electric Afro-beat fusion band for festivals, weddings and concerts". They like the music of Afrigo Band, Morgan Heritage, UB40 and Salif Keita.[9]
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Band members
Current members
As of April 2019[update] the band has nine members:[9]
- Ssewa Ssewa (founder, African traditional instrumentalist, vocalist, percussionist)
- Abraham Ssekasi (traditional instruments, vocalist and percussionist)
- Trevor Muhumuza (music director, keyboard and vocals)
- Kevin Sekasi (drums and vocals)
- Jimmy Lubwama (lead vocals and guitar
- Allan Okia (bass guitarist and music producer),
- Joseph Kizito (saxophonist)
- Hakim Kiwanuka (percussionist and African instrumentalist)
- Michael Ssebulime (lead guitarist)
Past members
- Jemimah Sanyu
- Jackie Akello
- Jacinta [1]
- Brian Gideon (lead vocalist and guitarist)
- Jackson Kirya
- Steven Oundo
- Joshua Maggwa
- Hazel Granger
- Buko Bright
- Claudia Namazzi
- Brenda Birungi
Discography
Albums
Eka (2017)
Eka is Janzi's first studio album and was officially released on iTunes on 7 May 2017. All the songs on the album were co-written and co-produced by the band's members. The songs on the album have however been played live by the band for many years. Eka was released under the band's label, Janzi Music.[10]
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See also
References
External links
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