Recently youth idol Bongo Fleva artist Diamond from Tanzania made a small tour in the UK. Diamond's tour was produced by Urban Pulse Creative Media in Reading.
The aim was not the usual showbiz of Africans trying to make it in the West but raise awareness and funds to combat Malaria ....
Here organisers of the gig chat with Sporah TV show this Monday.
Tuesday, 16 November 2010
Monday, 15 November 2010
Jazz Poetry Greenwich 19th November, 2010
Jazz horn player, Mark Nightinghale, are amongst featured performers.
PART OF THE ONGOING LONDON JAZZ FESTIVAL 2010...
...promises to be a night with a variety of entertainers; ranging from South African jazz player, Claude Deppa to one of UK's leading Performance poets, Steve Tasane... and Congolese guitaristKawele Mutimanwa...
Free entry.
See You Tube Advert:
More details on the recently created Global Fusion blog
Thursday, 16 September 2010
TRIBUTE TO JAMES BULGER
The horrific capture, torture and murder of two year old James Bulger in 1993 is one of the most unsolved crimes in history.
His killers, Jon Venables and Robert Thompson (both victims of a dysfunctional family) were only ten at the time. They were caught and jailed for a few years then released with new identities. Jon was recently re- arrested and re- imprisoned for another crime (also involving kids).
The infamous CCTV footage of baby James Bulger being lured and led innocently, to his death by his tormenters at the shopping mall.
The whole thing is sad, traumatic and reflects a dangerous trend in our family structures, the law and breakdown of societies.
His killers, Jon Venables and Robert Thompson (both victims of a dysfunctional family) were only ten at the time. They were caught and jailed for a few years then released with new identities. Jon was recently re- arrested and re- imprisoned for another crime (also involving kids).
The infamous CCTV footage of baby James Bulger being lured and led innocently, to his death by his tormenters at the shopping mall.
The whole thing is sad, traumatic and reflects a dangerous trend in our family structures, the law and breakdown of societies.
Friday, 3 September 2010
BRASILIAN RHYTHMS AND MARCELO VIG
Meet Brazilian extraordinary musician and creative percussionist, Marcelo Vig. Between 2002 and 2005 I was lucky to work with Marcelo in an African-Brazilian rhythms project across London clubs...
Today his multiple skills have mushroomed into this rhythm production company and an interesting music blog...amongst other creations.
Today his multiple skills have mushroomed into this rhythm production company and an interesting music blog...amongst other creations.
Tuesday, 29 June 2010
STATEMENT OF THE MONTH
Just read this on the net and found it inspiring:
"I spend more of my ‘writing’ time encouraging and motivating other people to write, than actually writing myself. But that is okay … that is wonderfully okay … because in turn, their joy inspires and feeds my writing. When I see others achieve, it excites me, and then, all of a sudden, (usually), whilst I’m travelling, whether in a vehicle or on foot, I’ll read something sad; hear a funny line, see something to make my mouth gape, and I’ll jot it down with whichever pen, eyeliner, mind marker comes first. It germinates and blossoms, and all on its own, turns itself into – some kind of writing."
By Kadija George from Sierra Leone.
"I spend more of my ‘writing’ time encouraging and motivating other people to write, than actually writing myself. But that is okay … that is wonderfully okay … because in turn, their joy inspires and feeds my writing. When I see others achieve, it excites me, and then, all of a sudden, (usually), whilst I’m travelling, whether in a vehicle or on foot, I’ll read something sad; hear a funny line, see something to make my mouth gape, and I’ll jot it down with whichever pen, eyeliner, mind marker comes first. It germinates and blossoms, and all on its own, turns itself into – some kind of writing."
By Kadija George from Sierra Leone.
Saturday, 12 June 2010
A DIFFERENT WORLD CUP...
Call it soccer, call it mpira, be it footsie or the "beautiful game" as the great Pele said. This year's championship in South Africa has a totally different feel. Not just for the noisy trumpets, the Vuvuzela (which remind one of thousand bee swarms)... Someone was saying because of the beleaguered continent; this is God's blessing. History. This is Africa's turn.
Many African players are now international stars making the sport more interesting; from Nkwako Kanu to Didier Drogba and Samuel Eto'o. Of course past world cup finals have featured African players but they have been in European and Latin American cities; nothing strange, a formality, almost. I think we have to thank Nelson Mandela; his aura , what his whole struggle represents. Rainbow colours...
MALIBUYEEEEE....!
Many African players are now international stars making the sport more interesting; from Nkwako Kanu to Didier Drogba and Samuel Eto'o. Of course past world cup finals have featured African players but they have been in European and Latin American cities; nothing strange, a formality, almost. I think we have to thank Nelson Mandela; his aura , what his whole struggle represents. Rainbow colours...
MALIBUYEEEEE....!
Tuesday, 1 June 2010
MEET JAMAICAN PAINTER AKIWALI WALTERS
I first met Akiwali Walters at the Cologne railway station, Germany in 1987.
He and I hit it off immediately; he soon created a colourful mural for my stage performance which I used for many, many years.
Akiwali's famous painting " Drink"
Akiwali is a human factory, forever chuckling, your typical art troubadour; creating pictures as he moves, exhibiting them alone or with bands, musicians, poets, other artists, you name it. He goes everywhere: villages, towns, huge cities, schools, festivals, streets, concert halls, living rooms, by the river side, on bus stations, hippy camps, etc.
He has stories from all over the globe Japan, Ghana, Spain, UK...
Although this painter travels, sells and exhibits, he always goes back to Jamaica.
"Mih luv Jamaica..."
Is his motto...
Like the poet icon Mutabaruka, this Rasta believes in restoring your energy and creativity by keeping in touch with one's preferred surroundings. No wonder his spirits are always high, cheerful, vibrant,thoughtful, proud, original.
Check his paintings here
He and I hit it off immediately; he soon created a colourful mural for my stage performance which I used for many, many years.
Akiwali's famous painting " Drink"
Akiwali is a human factory, forever chuckling, your typical art troubadour; creating pictures as he moves, exhibiting them alone or with bands, musicians, poets, other artists, you name it. He goes everywhere: villages, towns, huge cities, schools, festivals, streets, concert halls, living rooms, by the river side, on bus stations, hippy camps, etc.
He has stories from all over the globe Japan, Ghana, Spain, UK...
Although this painter travels, sells and exhibits, he always goes back to Jamaica.
"Mih luv Jamaica..."
Is his motto...
Like the poet icon Mutabaruka, this Rasta believes in restoring your energy and creativity by keeping in touch with one's preferred surroundings. No wonder his spirits are always high, cheerful, vibrant,thoughtful, proud, original.
Check his paintings here
Friday, 14 May 2010
THE INDIAN GURU
For years I have been a fan of fasting and meditation as tools of body mind health; but this is totally and amazingly, extraordinary.
Sunday, 18 April 2010
TOURING WITH UGANDAN MUSICIANS
Ugandan folk musician and dancer, Seby Ntege and his Ngoma arts band invited me to tour across, Devon, south west England in February 2010. The audiences were not only receptive but brought family members to enjoy. Seby Ntege is passionate about keeping traditional African music alive accompanied by dancer and musician, Hassan Kayemba and John Raymond M, on bass, who also produced this clip. Here, we are performing Ntwara Mata, a popular Ugandan song with me on drums and percussion.
Friday, 9 April 2010
JAZZ POETRY NIGHTS NEW SITE
DO you love jazz music? Would you like to jam or play with some of the most creative, amazing musicians in town? Like to see brilliant and gifted spoken word performers and witty poets? Do you rap in style? Live in London? Are you visiting this interesting city?
For reviews, pictures and the latest Jazz Poetry Nights London info visit our new site, here.
For reviews, pictures and the latest Jazz Poetry Nights London info visit our new site, here.
Monday, 22 March 2010
MUSICIAN KLARA KJELLEN CONTINUES TO SHINE
Pic by Lisa Deurell
Back in 2007 I blogged Swedish singer songwriter Klara Kjellen.
I had met her a decade earlier during the London tour of the late traditional Tanzanian musicians : Hukwe Zawose and his nephew, Charles Zawose, both who died 2003 and 2004, respectively.
And so, I went to see Klara's gig in West London.
Three years later her progress is tremendous: more music, label, website, blog, stories and pics. Check here
Friday, 19 March 2010
JAZZ POETRY NIGHTS LONDON - St Patricks Day
Jazz Poetry Nights at the Pangea Project had an unusual edge to it. Plenty of intense surprises, wonderful performers and a loyal, sincere, attentive audience. The best thing about the Pangea Jazz Poetry Nights is the appreciative audience and a supportive club management.
Jonny Virgo raps and toasts backed by Ogmios (bells), Andre Mathurin (bass) and several other musicians, jamming and playing during this climaxing moment towards the end of the exciting night, Wednesday, 17th.
(Pic by Ursula T)
Ursula T the inicisive German poet, philosopher and writer works out one of her favourite pieces : "Sea Weed" backed by Stephano on guitar, host Freddy (piano) and Andre Mathurin (bass) not in picture.
(Pic by Antonio Mamede)
The evening began with an intro of Abiye biye (Supermodel) by Freddy and Andre on bass; then Ogmios whose deep poetry had the audience chuckling and cheering especially when he called out the most interesting point of the evening. An hour earlier an elderly Russian lady had walked into the club with two young friends and was especially attracted by the house piano.
"It is Russian and I am Russian," She said, proudly.
Her name was Elsa and we quickly found out she was an amazing pianist. Ogmios' lyrical wit, his hip hop delivery blended surrealistically with Elsa. It was even more interesting when she played these East European melodies to accompany Ogmios poem about Medieval times and modern specifics.
This is what Jazz is all about. Surprises and instant improvisation.
Tunes Under Fire.A powerful unusual duet: psychedelic jazz electric guitar by Doug Kinloch
and James Gilbert (Sax)....
Their set was assisted by house bassist, Andre Mathurin and Brother Niyi on percussion....
(Pic by David Green )
Brother Niyi, the local Stoke Newington writer, teacher and poet, is a veteran of the London performance poetry scene. He always brings something special to such occasions. On the said night he strolled in, huge heavy African drum on his shoulder and he did his many trademark things, one of which is that "wake up" call:
"Everybody say Yeah Yeah..."
Djembe beat, social, political, psychological lyrics and a reminder of the Nigerian, Afro cultural jazz background. He reminded us what
Afro Beat means ("go on google it...") by not forgetting to give tribute to one of his heroes the great Fela Anukulapo Kuti .
Jonny Virgo raps and toasts backed by Ogmios (bells), Andre Mathurin (bass) and several other musicians, jamming and playing during this climaxing moment towards the end of the exciting night, Wednesday, 17th.
(Pic by Ursula T)
Ursula T the inicisive German poet, philosopher and writer works out one of her favourite pieces : "Sea Weed" backed by Stephano on guitar, host Freddy (piano) and Andre Mathurin (bass) not in picture.
(Pic by Antonio Mamede)
The evening began with an intro of Abiye biye (Supermodel) by Freddy and Andre on bass; then Ogmios whose deep poetry had the audience chuckling and cheering especially when he called out the most interesting point of the evening. An hour earlier an elderly Russian lady had walked into the club with two young friends and was especially attracted by the house piano.
"It is Russian and I am Russian," She said, proudly.
Her name was Elsa and we quickly found out she was an amazing pianist. Ogmios' lyrical wit, his hip hop delivery blended surrealistically with Elsa. It was even more interesting when she played these East European melodies to accompany Ogmios poem about Medieval times and modern specifics.
This is what Jazz is all about. Surprises and instant improvisation.
Tunes Under Fire.A powerful unusual duet: psychedelic jazz electric guitar by Doug Kinloch
and James Gilbert (Sax)....
Their set was assisted by house bassist, Andre Mathurin and Brother Niyi on percussion....
(Pic by David Green )
Brother Niyi, the local Stoke Newington writer, teacher and poet, is a veteran of the London performance poetry scene. He always brings something special to such occasions. On the said night he strolled in, huge heavy African drum on his shoulder and he did his many trademark things, one of which is that "wake up" call:
"Everybody say Yeah Yeah..."
Djembe beat, social, political, psychological lyrics and a reminder of the Nigerian, Afro cultural jazz background. He reminded us what
Afro Beat means ("go on google it...") by not forgetting to give tribute to one of his heroes the great Fela Anukulapo Kuti .
Friday, 12 March 2010
Tuesday, 9 March 2010
JAZZ POETRY NIGHTS LONDON
@
PANGEA PROJECT
72 Stamford Hill, Stoke Newington N16 6XS
Opposite Morrisons
8.30 pm – Midnight
Free entry
St Patrick's Day Wednesday, 17th March, 2010
1- Jonny Virgo: Hip hop artist- promoting his new CD.
3-Brother Niyi: Afro Beat poet and percussionist
4-Ogmios- Local Stoke Newington hip hop poet
5- Tunes Under Fire- Free jazz guitar and sax duo
6- Ursula T: German writer and performance poet
In -house musician ♫♫♫
André Mathurin on bass
And other surprises
Hosted by Freddy Macha- writer and musician
Info : +44-7961 833040
Email: kilimanjaro1967@hotmail.com
PANGEA PROJECT
72 Stamford Hill, Stoke Newington N16 6XS
Opposite Morrisons
8.30 pm – Midnight
Free entry
St Patrick's Day Wednesday, 17th March, 2010
1- Jonny Virgo: Hip hop artist- promoting his new CD.
3-Brother Niyi: Afro Beat poet and percussionist
4-Ogmios- Local Stoke Newington hip hop poet
5- Tunes Under Fire- Free jazz guitar and sax duo
6- Ursula T: German writer and performance poet
In -house musician ♫♫♫
André Mathurin on bass
And other surprises
Hosted by Freddy Macha- writer and musician
Info : +44-7961 833040
Email: kilimanjaro1967@hotmail.com
Wednesday, 24 February 2010
PICS FROM JAZZ POETRY NIGHTS-FEBRUARY 2010
Images from the 10th February Jazz Poetry Nights at Pangea Project, where we had fantastic music, spoken word and suprise guests. One of them was international photographer, David Green who took some of these pics:
JAZZ DUO- Tunes Under Fire
BURNT TOAST
BURNT TOAST -bass
JAZZMAN JOHN CLARKE - the fast lip
Jazzman John pic by Rob Kenyon
JJ OTIENO - Multi-instrumentalist
URSULA T.-Performance poet and writer
BURNT TOAST
ANDRE MATHURIN - on bass
FREDDY MACHA- host
We are now preparing for next Jazz Poetry Nights on St Patrick's Day March 17th. Expected acts include Italian jazz and R&B singer,
Ira Menin hip hop artists Jonny Virgo and Ogmios from Stoke Newington.
Check this space for more news...
JAZZ DUO- Tunes Under Fire
BURNT TOAST
BURNT TOAST -bass
JAZZMAN JOHN CLARKE - the fast lip
Jazzman John pic by Rob KenyonJJ OTIENO - Multi-instrumentalist
URSULA T.-Performance poet and writer
BURNT TOAST
ANDRE MATHURIN - on bass
FREDDY MACHA- host
We are now preparing for next Jazz Poetry Nights on St Patrick's Day March 17th. Expected acts include Italian jazz and R&B singer,
Ira Menin hip hop artists Jonny Virgo and Ogmios from Stoke Newington.
Check this space for more news...
Saturday, 13 February 2010
DOUBLE FOCUS- New CD of Music and Poetry
HARD WORKING ARTIST OF THE SEASON
RAS NAS
Ras Nas aka Nasibu Mwanukuzi performing in Sri Lanka with band recently...
Pic by Solveig Korum Manga
Ras Nas is my choice of hardest working musician on the African scene in Europe. In a year the Oslo based singer song writer has released two CD's. Double Focus, a collection of poems and music features materials written in three decades.
Personally, I am celebrating this rare ocean of good music and well written poetry combined by a man who knows the craft. I should know. For four years (1980-84) I worked with Nasibu in the Sayari collective, in Dar es Salaam.
He is a committed innovator.
Mwanukuzi has injected the African penicillin to an artform that is very demanding and held high by the likes of Bob Dylan, Gil Scott Heron, Tom Waits, and Gabon's melodic master Pierre Akendengue...
Amongst the highlights of the collection is a Kiswahili poem by the great East African maestro Shaaban Robert, whose poem "Titi La Mama" praises the love for one's mother tongue; and a homage to Nelson Mandela. Ras Nas performed for Mandela upon Madibo's visit to Oslo in 1992.
Last year he released Dar es Salaam a CD of African music and reggae.
RAS NAS
Ras Nas aka Nasibu Mwanukuzi performing in Sri Lanka with band recently...
Pic by Solveig Korum Manga
Ras Nas is my choice of hardest working musician on the African scene in Europe. In a year the Oslo based singer song writer has released two CD's. Double Focus, a collection of poems and music features materials written in three decades.
Personally, I am celebrating this rare ocean of good music and well written poetry combined by a man who knows the craft. I should know. For four years (1980-84) I worked with Nasibu in the Sayari collective, in Dar es Salaam.
He is a committed innovator.
Mwanukuzi has injected the African penicillin to an artform that is very demanding and held high by the likes of Bob Dylan, Gil Scott Heron, Tom Waits, and Gabon's melodic master Pierre Akendengue...
Amongst the highlights of the collection is a Kiswahili poem by the great East African maestro Shaaban Robert, whose poem "Titi La Mama" praises the love for one's mother tongue; and a homage to Nelson Mandela. Ras Nas performed for Mandela upon Madibo's visit to Oslo in 1992.
Last year he released Dar es Salaam a CD of African music and reggae.
Thursday, 11 February 2010
JAZZ POETRY NIGHTS LONDON
Monthly Jazz Poetry Nights continue to shine at London's Pangea Project .
Despite a sinister cold night, on Wednesday February 10th we kept the same vibe of diverse, unique acts:
1-Jazzman John Clarke (UK) : dynamic, lively, bebop motor-mouth
2- J.J.Adamson (Kenya): Marimba, percussion, guitar and vocals
2-Burnt Toast (Canada/ UK) : Urban London; hip hop, music and words
Burnt Toast: special
3- Ursula T (Germany)- International lady read from her three collections
4-Graham Pollock (UK) : Dry humour, subtle delivery; strong message.
A typical Pollock poem:
Christmas card people . . .
We used to phone
Each other regularly.
Then it became
Occasionally,
And then very
Occasionally . . .
After a while
Our only contact
Was a card
At Christmas.
I don’t bother now.
I just don’t
See
The
Point . . . .
5- Freddy Macha (Tanzania): Afro jazz and lyrics (Host and MC)
Jazz bassist
Andre Mathurin (St Lucia)
Suprise guests
Free Jazz Musicians (UK) : Tunes Under Fire : James Gilbert (Sax) and Doug Kinloch (Guitar).
Another special presence was local Stoke Newington Photographer David Green whose snaps on the night will hopefully find their way here...
NEXT JAZZ POETRY NIGHT - 17th March...
Monday, 18 January 2010
JAZZ POETRY NIGHTS LONDON
Jazz Poetry Nights aims at promoting jazz music and poetry from all corners of the world in London.
This month we are at the Pangea Project in Hackney.
We began during the London Jazz Festival in November 2009. If you like jazz and music in general and would like to hear and see different performers of literature step in, entry is free.
For those looking to perform please email your queries to : kilimanjaro1967@hotmail.com
This is not a one off.
It aims to continue....
This month we are at the Pangea Project in Hackney.
We began during the London Jazz Festival in November 2009. If you like jazz and music in general and would like to hear and see different performers of literature step in, entry is free.
For those looking to perform please email your queries to : kilimanjaro1967@hotmail.com
This is not a one off.
It aims to continue....
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