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Jazz Music in Kenya

This is a general overview of Jazz as a genre and musical style in Kenya. Since this is still a developing area in the Kenyan music scene, information is limited, and is subject to change as it continues to solidify as a musical style and genre in Kenya.

A brief history

Kenya, like many other African countries, has a rich heritage of culture from numerous ethnic communities. These different communities all have their own cultural practices, in various spheres of their day to day lives, including music. Over time there has been exchange of culture by different means, for different reasons. This exchange led to similarities in traditional music practices between different communities. This phenomenon was an effect of social and economic interactions like, trade, war and intermarriages, among others. One of these interactions was the colonisation of Africa. This brought a major shift in traditional African culture, including African music. There was fusion of culture, knowledge and tradition. In music, this included western music philosophies and ideologies, music theory, musical instruments, and also paved the way for future exchanges between Africa and the rest of the world.

All this led to fusion of musics giving rise to new musical styles and genres from different parts of Africa. The same can be observed in communities and regions all over the world. In Kenya, this was evident in kenyan pop music, which borrowed from traditional african melodies, styles and instrumentation as well as the western counterparts of the same to create a sound that was widely accepted, in the post colonial era and even to date. Thus pioneering a new age of musical exploration and possibilities.

Kenyan Jazz

From the 1960s to the late 1980s, Jazz was not really a genre on its own. Most bands and musicians used it as a label for what was developing modern music. However, in the midst of all the uncertainty and development of the genre, there were a few who understood and fought for what Jazz was to them. In 1960, Louis Armstrong, in his African tour, was in Nairobi. Unbeknownst to many, this was the genesis of Jazz in Kenya. It sparked an uprising of sorts. That decade saw more and more bands incorporating Jazz occasionally, and others diving headfirst into it. On a wider chronological scope, around the 90s, clubs and social spots like Starlight Club (currently Integrity House), The Jazz Cafe at Yaya Centre and Toona Tree at the International Casino Complex became hubs for the genre and contributing artists to flourish. This attracted international acts like Dizzy Gillespie who interacted with the more established Benga and Rhumba bands. Other contributors include Pascal Onema, part of modern Congolese jazz bands, who influenced Kenyan guitarists of the time like John Nzenze.

Jazz Festivals

Ever since, and more recently, there have been multiple jazz festivals commemorating International Jazz day. This opened the Kenyan jazz scene to international artists and promote local artists. It however did not come without doubt from Kenyans. As a country with little to almost no history in jazz, or established jazz musicians or musical background, festivals seemed far fetched; a near impossible feat. However, with help from Safaricom, under Bob Collymore, one of the first jazz festivals was held in 2014. This was the Safaricom International Jazz Festival.

The festival raised funds and donations that were used to aid non-profit organisations like Ghetto Classics, which helped improve the lives of children all across Kenya. It was later changed to the Bob Collymore International Jazz Festival in memory of Bob Collymore who's dream and passion sparked the festivals in Kenya. This was on 1st July 2023. It was to provide opportunities for underprivileged youth to build their careers in music. The first Bob Collymore International Jazz Festival included local musicians like Edward Parseen, Shamsi Music and guitarist Jack Muguna, while the proceeding ones included popular acts such as the Nairobi Horns Project, The Different Faces, Jacob Asiyo & Kavutha Mwanzia-Asiyo, James Gogo, Juma Tutu, Eddie Grey and Chris Bittok among others. The other latest addition to kenyan jazz festivals is the Afrolect International Jazz Festival. This started as early as 2018, spearheaded by MacKinlay Mutsembi of NHP. Afrolect presented jazz, African and Roots music, keeping up with the demanding Kenyan music palette. It also provides a platform for growing Kenyan musicians who seek the global stage and grow their music internationally.

References

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