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Jazz Symphonic

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  • Review
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      Jack Muguna: Journey of the Soul

      April 20, 2021

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      Geco Café: Slithering with good vibes in Nairobi

      February 18, 2021

      Review

      How to work with producers in Kenya by…

      February 26, 2020

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      The Love Zone Thrills fans on Valentine’s Day

      February 21, 2020

      Review

      Shamsi Music Sophmore Album: Afrosynthesis

      February 6, 2020

  • Events
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      Nairobi Music Society and Nairobi Orchestra Love; Liberty…

      May 4, 2022

      Events

      Beneath the Baobabs Live: A Kenyan live music…

      April 5, 2022

      Events

      Down memory lane: An Evening Remembering Whitney Houston

      December 2, 2021

      Events

      Nairobi Orchestra Returns! at Kenya National Theatre

      July 2, 2021

      Events

      An Evening Celebrating Stevie Wonder in Nairobi

      June 10, 2021

  • Artist Spotlight
    • Artist Spotlight

      Ngewa: Kasiva Mutua rhythmical tales on percussion

      April 26, 2022

      Artist Spotlight

      Herbie Tsoaeli Spiritual Dialogues: At This Point in…

      December 10, 2021

      Artist Spotlight

      Sage Chemutai: Love is all we need

      April 26, 2021

      Artist Spotlight

      Jack Muguna: Journey of the Soul

      April 20, 2021

      Artist Spotlight

      WYNTON MARSALIS interactive session with Kenyan artists: Mythology…

      November 26, 2020

  • Classical Music
    • Classical Music

      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

      Classical Music

      Beethoven 250 Years on, A Spirited awakening in…

      September 25, 2020

      Classical Music

      David Ralak: A visionary pioneering figure with great…

      June 16, 2020

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      Artist Spotlight

      Pilani Bubu: Jazz Breaks Me Open. Songs from…

      April 29, 2020

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      CoronaVirus: Kenyan Artists in a time of a…

      March 19, 2020

      Jazz Spotlight

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      February 26, 2020

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      Shamsi Music Sophmore Album: Afrosynthesis

      February 6, 2020

      Jazz Opinions

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      March 19, 2020

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      Experience Nairobi Horns Project Debut Album – Black…

      July 18, 2019

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      Artists from the coast revolutionizing Nairobi’s Jazz scene

      April 9, 2019

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      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

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      February 26, 2020

      Jazz Spotlight

      Shamsi Music Sophmore Album: Afrosynthesis

      February 6, 2020

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      ALBUM REVIEW: MAIA AND THE BIG SKY

      September 26, 2019

      My Afro Jazz

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Review

The Afrosynthesis Experience

by Maureen Shelmith July 31, 2018
written by Maureen Shelmith July 31, 2018

The Afrosynthesis Experience

Award-winning jazz & Afro-jazz fusion band, Shamsi Music curated an experience that celebrated Africa through music. The AfroSynthesis Experience was a Jazz party that we couldn’t resist to jig along to.

There was a huge expectation from Shamsi fans when they announced they are working on their second album. Shamsi Music launched their debut album ‘The Audition’ in 2017. Since their debut album launch, the band has played in festivals in Kenya, Mali, and Uganda. This particular concert was the beginning of the journey to the release of their sophomore album dubbed AfroSynthesis that is set to be released early 2019.

The venue.

You can’t help but fall in love with Shamsi Music, they are doing everything right at the moment and events like this are the reason why we have so much love for them.

The Nyama Mama Delta Parking was an ideal venue choice. The spot was ideal as it maintained the intimacy and interactiveness required for the mesmeric music. They magically transformed the parking lot into a beautiful spot with décor that was well befitting for the concert. They got a good crowd that thronged the spot.

The Music

The Afrosynthesis concert did not disappoint.

The band has made waves regionally and internationally with their unique Kenyan Folk Jazz sound that represents the best of Kenyan traditional rhythms and melodies reinterpreted through the modern jazz idiom.

We got to experience first-hand their Afro-tinged sound by which the band made their name. It was a vibe.

Shamsi performed some of the music that will feature in their 2nd album and a couple of the older ones, such as ‘Murata’ that got everyone to their feet. The band showcased their dynamism by performing their own compositions and some re-imagined versions of songs we have already heard.

The crowd got to listen to ballads such as Wings of Love, a song composed by Munene – the bassist- this particular track fused an entrancing West African sound owing to its distinctive melody that had a Kora sound, a sound they picked while they were on tour in Bamako.

Shamsi in a very noble way paid tribute to Sudan with an vibrant dirge titled “Sudan”. Sudan, the world last male Northern white rhino passed away in 2018, at the Ol Pejeta Conservancy. Shamsi’s creative ingenuity created an emotional connection with an old rhino some of us never got a chance to see, by having a moving backdrop image of Sudan whilst at Ol Pejeta.

The crowd got to experience the mercurial sound of June Gachui, the distinctive vocals of Chris Adwar and the eclectic sounds of Adhoc Kenya, who will be representing Kenya at 2018/2019 #SafaricomJazz Series.

The music of Shamsi band tells a thousand stories all by itself. We got to hear so many stories about Shamsi’s musical journey, which they titled it as their Twaweza Story. They narrated their journey and the hurdles encountered. They encouraged the crowd to pursue their dreams, and enjoy the process.

Shamsi Music managed to be both musical and conversational at the same time. It was incredible to listen to such live music which often is stifled by the recording technicalities, which can’t capture all the emotion, excitement, resonance and vibes. It was a lit show.

As spirited Kenyans as we are, we requested for an encore which we got. Nthenya, was our last piece of heaven, we danced the night away in this rhythmical Kamba tune.

Well done Shamsi Music!

Audience having fun on the dance floor

 

Chris Adwar

 

Adhoc Kenya

 

 

 

 

Images courtesy of: Shamsi Music 🙂

Adhoc KenyaChris AdwarJune GachuiKenyan Folk JazzOl Pejeta ConservancySafaricom International Jazz festivalSafaricom JazzSafaricomJazzShamsi Music
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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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  • WYNTON MARSALIS interactive session with Kenyan artists: Mythology of Jazz, improvisation and creativity

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