Janzi Band

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.

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

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.

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
Janzi Band chronology
Eka TBA
Alternative cover
Singles from Eka
  1. "Afrika"

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. "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.

Janzi Band on Facebook

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