Twende Twende Tour – 2023
The combination of rhythm and instruments can build a group identity, stir strong emotions, engage audiences and amas people to take impactful action.
When people collaborate musically, we see how everyone has a valuable role to play in any team. We also learn what it takes to contribute in the best possible way to a community. Young people are encouraged to transfer these experiences into their daily lives and at the same time these experiences support them in making informed decisions for their future.
This is the essence of this year’s Twende Twende Tour.
Featured Artists
Often, we get asked about how music impacts our lives but we forget to question how music has an effect on social change. This is a complex one. Addressing this question may have important benefits for advancing our society and for revealing the important aspects of the human connection to music.
Such is the mission and vision of the remarkable Pakistani Hyper Folk Music band, Khumariyaan, who play four instruments seamlessly and engage the audience with their charm and harmonious melodies.
Khumariyaan was born in the age of Talibanisation, sectarian violence, military operations and neo-imperialist expansions, in the region which is a gateway to Central Asia, in the city of Peshawar.
Khumariyaan’s tunes are based on their native music, with a tinge of other native music of the world as well, their audience is the educated youth of Pakistan, and their focus is to elevate music to medium of peace of being, and musically, break the tradition of the South Asian vocal based musical culture, thus they are an instrumental band.
Centered on the concept that vocals should complement music, Khumariyaan composes with little fragments of vocals to compliment the overall harmony. They are a group of individuals that came together, as on soul, to experience the trance that is live, acoustic music.
Khumariyaan
Farhan Bogra who play the majestic ethnic Rubab, Shiraz Khan who play the adorned Zeer Baghali, Muhammad Aamer who plays the semi acoustic rhythm guitar, and Sparlay Rawail who is the guitar master.
Khumariyaan strongly believe that music is the best sublimated form of art and its best left to the audience to experience the intoxication and the magical goosebumps.
Obaid Khan, a gifted musician hailing from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), has been making waves in the music industry with his exceptional talent and unique contributions. Armed with a master’s degree in anthropology, Khan’s journey into the world of music began during his formative years, where his passion for singing shone brightly, propelling him to victory in numerous local competitions throughout his school days.
As he matured, Khan took it upon himself to embark on a self-taught musical odyssey, delving headfirst into the realm of professional singing. His dedication and perseverance paid off as he found himself collaborating with renowned artists from Pakistan, solidifying his presence within the industry. Notably,
his collaborations have not only enriched his own repertoire but have also brought a fresh perspective to Pashto folk singing.
With his innovative approach, Khan has breathed new life into Pashto folk music, infusing it with modern elements and pushing its boundaries. Through his distinct style and artistic finesse, he has managed to carve a niche for himself, capturing the hearts of music enthusiasts and elevating the genre to new heights.
Obaid Khan’s story serves as an inspiration to aspiring musicians, highlighting the power of determination and the pursuit of one’s passion. His remarkable journey from a young talent to a respected artist exemplifies the remarkable potential that lies within individuals who dare to follow their dreams.
As Khan continues to captivate audiences with his soulful melodies and trailblazing talent, the future shines bright for this rising star from KP. With his unwavering dedication and passion for music, he is set to leave an indelible mark on the Pakistani music industry, inviting listeners to embark on a musical journey unlike any other.
Obaid Khan
Symphony Band was established in 2018 and is to date Rwanda’s best boy band and have successfully assisted the best local and international artists in live music on the biggest stage across Rwanda. They have released their own songs and other artists songs from their recording studio ‘Backstage Studio. They have also started their own music event named Fantasy music concert, an event that brings together both local and international artists from 2020.
The band is composed of Mugenga Kamere, who plays the electric guitar, Niyontezeho Etienne, who is the keyboardist, Mugisha Frank, who plays the bass guitar, and Irakora Fabrice, who is the drummer.
The band plays every kind of music and has worked with many organizations such as UN, Rwanda Government, East African Promoters, MTN, BK, AIRTEL, BRALIRWA, and so many more where they performed in many different events such as Gala Dinner, Presidential Banquet, empowering the Rwandan Music industry.
The Symphony Band
The Nairobi Horns Project (NHP) brings together musicians bonded by the love for new music and committed to building a sound around horns in African and contemporary music. Our sound is influenced by our love for Jazz, African rhythms,
Contemporary, Hip Hop and Electronic music. What was conceived as a three-member commercial for hire horn section whose members have worked on music TV shows, concerts, recordings, and tours has since grown into a complete live act.
As a concert and festival act, NHP draws inspiration from jazz roots, blending Kenyan folk and pop influences. Since opening for trumpeter Hugh Masekela at the Safaricom International Jazz Festival in 2016, NHP has grown into one of Kenya’s leading instrumental music brands. Beyond jazz, the band has garnered crossover followership, going on to perform on other stages. We are the only instrumental music band to play the Koroga Festival 2017 alongside Eric Wainaina and D’Banj.
In September 2018, NHP made a debut performance at one of Africa’s biggest Jazz Stage, the Standard Bank Joy of Jazz in Johannesburg.
NHP has released two independent recording projects; In December 2016 Nairobi Horns Project released their first self-produced body of works, an EP titled Kipepeo (Swahili for buttery) entirely comprised of original works. Kipepeo is available on our SoundCloud, Deezer, iTunes, Spotify and Amazon.
Their first full album project “Black In Gold” was released worldwide in February 2019, and is available on all online platforms, but can also be accessed here. Black in Gold is a celebration of African Privilege, of the rich heritage of sounds, rhythms, and culture. To be African is special. Its precious. It’s BLACK IN GOLD.
The Nairobi Horns Project
The Horns are:
Mackinlay Mutsembi – Trumpet/Band Leader
Rabai Mokua – Saxophones
Victor Kinama – Trombone
Amani Baya – Drums
Steve Mwanzia – Keyboards
Jack Muguna – Guitars
Moise Basinza – Bassist
Kasiva Mutua – Percussion
Wyre is no stranger to the entertainment industry. With a musical career spanning over twenty-five years. He says he has no intentions of slowing down any time soon. An accomplished singer, songwriter and producer, Wyre has been nominated and won numerous awards both at home in Kenya and within the African continent.
Wyre is marking his spot on the global scene by fusing Reggae & Dancehall with different genres of music, thus slowly crossing over to the international stages. His collaborations with several local and international artists, release of quality videos and nonstop hits has gained him a fan base worldwide.
Wyre says he is greatly inspired by the musical work of Michael Jackson, Damian Marley, Ginuwine and Akon to name a few.
His collaborations with several artists on the few original and remixed versions have catapulted Wyre to great levels in the music industry. He has collaborated with such artists as JB Maina from Kenya, P Square from Nigeria,Cecile, Alaine,Gramps Morgan & Peetah Morgan from the Grammy Award Winning Reggae group Morgan Heritage to mention but a few. Singles such as “Uprising”, “She Say Dat” (featuring Cecile), “Sina Makosa” and “Mwanake” (featuring JB Maina) &” Nakupenda Pia ” (featuring Alaine) are just a few of the hits that Wyre released as singles after releasing the album 10 Years Wiser. Wyre has also done production work for such artists as Redsan, Achieng Abura and Gidi Gidi Maji Maji amongst many others.
Wyre’s music career has seen him travel extensively and perform worldwide in countries like USA, UK, UAE, Jamaica, Nigeria, South Sudan, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Ethiopia, Australia, Malaysia, Germany, Sweden, Netherlands & Switzerland.
He has since released a couple of chart-topping singles that have kept him relevant.
“I will continue to manifest my thoughts and experiences on subjects that are close to all our hearts, love, life and society”.
Wyre
Jabel Kanuteh (Gambia) was born in Tambasansang in 1996. As a child and member of the important Kanuteh family, he began to play the kora as a djeli (griot), a traditional role that can only be handed down father to son.
In 2014 he left the Gambia and after a long journey through the deserts of Niger, Libya and the Mediterranean Sea, he managed to reach the Italian coasts and settled in Fano, Adriatic Coast.
As a professional musician and following his mission as an ambassador of peace he has been invited and participates in festivals such as Fano Jazz, Isole che parlano, Festival du Desert, The roots in music, Paesaggi Sonori and more. In November 2019 he held a concert at Palazzo del Quirinale with Paolo Angeli for the concerts at the Pauline Chapel.
Marco Zanotti (Italy) plays drums, percussions, mbira and whatever it comes through. He likes to explore many forms of expression in music combining his production with travels, research and plenty of collaborations.
He is the founder and director of Classica Orchestra Afrobeat (three albums feat Seun Kuti, Baba Sissoko, Sekouba Bambino and live exhibition in Glastonbury Festival) and Cucoma Combo. He plays with avantgarde ensembles Mothra and Red Planet and also with Del Barrio and ensemble Voz Latina.
Marco Zanotti
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Jabel Kanuteh
Also, he works with contemporary dance, theatre and cinema (Mbira and Inferno by Roberto Castello, Magnifico Teatrino Errante, ERT, Fantateatro, Pamoja Odyssey) and curated the Italian edition of Fela Kuti’s biography. In 2021 his first solo album Re-flexio has been released, flanked by the works of artist Gaia Carboni.
