Janzi Band

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For Ugandan musical instrument, see Janzi (musical instrument).
Janzi Band
OriginKampala, Uganda
Genres
  • Afro-Fusion
  • World Music
  • Jazz
InstrumentsJanzi, Akogo, Adungu, Endongo, Endigidi, Amadinda, Engoma, Mbira and percussions
Years active2009–present
LabelsJanzi Music
Associated actsJackie Akello
Milege
Afrigo Band
Qwela Band
Giovanni Kiyingi
Suzan Kerunen[1]
MembersSsewa Ssewa
  • Abraham Ssekasi
  • Trevor Muhumuza
  • Kevin Sekasi
  • Allan Okia
  • Joseph Kizito
  • Hakim Kiwanuka
  • Jimmy Lubwama
  • Michael Ssebulime
Past members
  • Jemimah Sanyu
  • Jackie Akello
  • Jacinta [2]
  • Brian Gideon (lead vocalist and guitarist)
  • Jackson Kirya
  • Steven Oundo
  • Joshua Maggwa
  • Hazel Granger
  • Buko Bright
  • Claudia Namazzi
  • Brenda Birungi

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.

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,[3] 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.[4]

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.[5][6][7] 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,[8] and in the same year collaborated with A Pass at the Chronixx Show.[9]

As of April 2019, 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.[10]

Band members[]

Current members[]

As of April 2019 the band has nine members:[10]

  • 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 [11]
  • Brian Gideon (lead vocalist and guitarist)
  • Jackson Kirya
  • Steven Oundo
  • Joshua Maggwa
  • Hazel Granger
  • Buko Bright
  • Claudia Namazzi
  • Brenda Birungi

Discography[]

Eka
Studio album by
Janzi Band
ReleasedMay 7, 2017 (2017-05-07)
GenreWorld, Folk music
Length37:21
LabelJanzi Music
Producer
Various
Janzi Band chronology
Eka TBA
Alternative cover
Singles from Eka
  1. "Afrika"

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.[12]

Track Listing
No.TitleWriter(s)LabelLength
1."Eka"JanziJanzi Music3.20
2."Afrika"JanziJanzi Music3:16
3."Just a Dream"JanziJanzi Music3:55
4."Ngaali"JanziJanzi Music4.19
5."Njabala"JanziJanzi Music5.30
6."Omwana Wabantu"JanziJanzi Music4.29
7."River Road"JanziJanzi Music4.22
8."Zimbabwe"JanziJanzi Music4.56
9."Ekili"JanziJanzi Music4.24

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ "Musicians jump onto the band wagon". Sqoop.
  2. ^ "Jacinta quits Janzi band". Matooke Republic. Retrieved 4 July 2016.
  3. ^ "Janzi Band changing the shape of band music in Uganda". The View Uganda. Retrieved 8 December 2016.
  4. ^ "Overview & Features". The Pearl Guide.
  5. ^ "UGANDA: Janzi Band fills Thursday gig slot". Mdundo. Retrieved 2 March 2016.
  6. ^ "Janzi Band to launch Band Night at Diners Lounge". Red Pepper.
  7. ^ "Janzi band to headline annual Rotary celebration of women meet at Sheraton Hotel". Matooke Republic. Retrieved 3 March 2017.
  8. ^ "Lilian And Janzi Band To Headline This Year's Tokosa Food Festival". Chano 8. Retrieved 25 March 2016.
  9. ^ "Video: A Pass rehearses with Janzi Band ahead of Chronixx Show tomorrow". Big Eye. Retrieved 16 June 2016.
  10. ^ Jump up to: a b "Janzi Music: About". Facebook. Archived from the original on 19 April 2019. Retrieved 19 April 2019.
  11. ^ "Jacinta quits Janzi band". Matooke Republic. Retrieved 4 July 2016.
  12. ^ "Eka by Janzi on itunes". itunes.

External links[]

Janzi Band on Facebook

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