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Jazz Symphonic

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      Jack Muguna: Journey of the Soul

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      Geco Café: Slithering with good vibes in Nairobi

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      How to work with producers in Kenya by…

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      The Love Zone Thrills fans on Valentine’s Day

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      Shamsi Music Sophmore Album: Afrosynthesis

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      Nairobi Music Society and Nairobi Orchestra Love; Liberty…

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      Beneath the Baobabs Live: A Kenyan live music…

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      Down memory lane: An Evening Remembering Whitney Houston

      December 2, 2021

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      Nairobi Orchestra Returns! at Kenya National Theatre

      July 2, 2021

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      An Evening Celebrating Stevie Wonder in Nairobi

      June 10, 2021

  • Artist Spotlight
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      Ngewa: Kasiva Mutua rhythmical tales on percussion

      April 26, 2022

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      Herbie Tsoaeli Spiritual Dialogues: At This Point in…

      December 10, 2021

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      Sage Chemutai: Love is all we need

      April 26, 2021

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      Jack Muguna: Journey of the Soul

      April 20, 2021

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      WYNTON MARSALIS interactive session with Kenyan artists: Mythology…

      November 26, 2020

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      Nairobi Music Society and Nairobi Orchestra Love; Liberty…

      May 4, 2022

      Classical Music

      Nairobi Orchestra Returns! at Kenya National Theatre

      July 2, 2021

      Classical Music

      A Kenyan Opera: Nyanga The Runaway Grandmother

      November 17, 2020

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      Beethoven 250 Years on, A Spirited awakening in…

      September 25, 2020

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      David Ralak: A visionary pioneering figure with great…

      June 16, 2020

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      March 19, 2020

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      How to work with producers in Kenya by…

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      Shamsi Music Sophmore Album: Afrosynthesis

      February 6, 2020

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      CoronaVirus: Kenyan Artists in a time of a…

      March 19, 2020

      Jazz Opinions

      Experience Nairobi Horns Project Debut Album – Black…

      July 18, 2019

      Jazz Opinions

      Artists from the coast revolutionizing Nairobi’s Jazz scene

      April 9, 2019

      Jazz Opinions

      Jazz in Kenya: A beginner’s guide to artists…

      February 26, 2019

      Jazz Spotlight

      Pilani Bubu: Jazz Breaks Me Open. Songs from…

      April 29, 2020

      Jazz Spotlight

      How to work with producers in Kenya by…

      February 26, 2020

      Jazz Spotlight

      Shamsi Music Sophmore Album: Afrosynthesis

      February 6, 2020

      Jazz Spotlight

      ALBUM REVIEW: MAIA AND THE BIG SKY

      September 26, 2019

      My Afro Jazz

      Dan Aceda, Juma Tutu to Grace Ricky na…

      November 17, 2015

      My Afro Jazz

      Eric Wainaina Thrills fans at An Evening of…

      August 31, 2015

      My Afro Jazz

      You can’t Miss An Evening Of Afro Jazz…

      August 20, 2015

EventsReview

#KorogaFestival: The special Jazz edition

by Maureen Shelmith May 11, 2016
written by Maureen Shelmith May 11, 2016

manu and bgvOn the 8th of May, Mother’s day, the Koroga festival organizers, gave us a helluva of an experience for their 12th edition.

The lineup for the day included the sassy June Gachui who was backing the Edward Parseen and Different Faces band, there was the King of ‘Mwooyo’, Maurice Kirya and the phenomenal Legend from Cameroon, Manu Dibango.

Crowd members enjoying the ambience

Crowd members enjoying the ambiance

The crowd was already turned up, the weather was chilly, as we are already experiencing the cold Long rains season. We had our kikoys ready and gumboots on.

The turnout was great, and I met with a lot of friends I hadn’t seen in a while. I also got to learn about Manu Dibango. Apparently he was in an ad way back when and that is where most guys recognized him  and his song Soul Makossa  from. The song reminded Mugambi ( a renowned Kenyan actor) of that ad;  it was like he was  reliving his childhood.

 

Edward Parseen and Kaz

Edward Parseen and Kaz

The eclectic Edward Parseen and the Different Faces band blessed the stage and made us forget the chilly weather. Parseen invited Kaz Lucas on to stage to do their own rendition of ‘Niookoee’ (who knew Parseen could sing? coz I didn’t).Then came June; with a beautiful and fast tempo song ‘Mistaken Identity’, she went on to bless our Sunday with a song ‘New Day’. The different faces band closed their performance with the commemorative song to the recently deceased musical legends Papa Wemba, Billy Paul and Prince.

Maurice Kirya

Maurice Kirya

The King of Mwoooyo Maurice Kirya then slowed things down by singings songs about love, children and made a special dedication to moms as it was a Mother’s Day.

 

People were ready for Manu

People were ready for Manu

Manu Dibango took to the stage with his unique swagger, when it came time for his glorious one-hour performance. Audience members that had been seated were energized by his music. The space right in front of the stage was packed with people young and old resonating to the finesse Manu showcased and the deep lyricism of his music.

People dancing to manu's songs

People dancing to Manu’s songs

They were a congenial lot, I felt taken in by their rendition. To be honest, seeing a man of his age playing the saxophone nonstop for an hour is amazing. I give him props to that, he also had a polyrhythmic vibe to his music and it was danceable too, pure African at its best.

Manu Dibango was able to muse contemporary music and blend it well with a touch of African rhythms. That to me is a  Koroga Festival Signature for sure.

Manu's final bow

Manu’s final bow

We danced, took selfies, played in the mud, got dirty, traversed through time and boundaries until it got to the end of the fantastic event. I enjoyed every bit and piece to it.

selfies

lets get that selfie

photos

yellow is a statement

 

food vendors

food vendors were ready to serve

we shall pose just here

we shall pose just here

 

 

Photo Credits: Another one from:  Quaint Photography

Edited by: Kuchio Asonga

Aaron RimbuiEdward ParseenEdward Parseen and different Faces BandJune GachuiKaz LucasKoroga FestivalManu DibangoMaurice KiryaPapa Wemba
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2 comments

#KorogaFestival: The special Jazz edition | Jaz... May 24, 2016 - 7:21 PM

[…] RT @Jazzsymphonicke: Cross border music culture. #JazzMusic #Jazz #sax #voice #KorogaFestivalhttps://t.co/YQpbpiZfDU https://t.co/nOkhioP…  […]

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Jill June 9, 2016 - 4:59 AM

You have got interesting posts here.

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About Me

About Me

Maureen Shelmith

My mission here is to take you on a Kenyan musical journey that is exceptional.

Featured Posts

  • Herbie Tsoaeli Spiritual Dialogues: At This Point in Time

    December 10, 2021
  • Sage Chemutai: Love is all we need

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    February 18, 2021
  • WYNTON MARSALIS interactive session with Kenyan artists: Mythology of Jazz, improvisation and creativity

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