Janzi Band | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Kampala, Uganda |
| Genres |
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| Instrument(s) | Janzi, Akogo, Adungu, Endongo, Endigidi, Amadinda, Engoma, Mbira and percussions |
| Years active | 2009–present |
| Labels | Janzi Music |
| Members | Ssewa Ssewa
|
| Past members |
|
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.
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.
Janzi is a Luganda word that means grasshopper, which according to the founders Ssewa Ssewa and friends Abraham Sekasi, Jackson Kirya and Steven Oundo, [2] 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. [3]
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. [4] [5] [6] 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.[ citation needed ]
In 2016, they headlined the Tokosa Food Festival with Ugandan musician Lilian Mbabazi, [7] and in the same year collaborated with A Pass at the Chronixx Show. [8]
As of April 2019 [update] , 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. [9]
As of April 2019 [update] the band has nine members: [9]
| Eka | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio album by Janzi Band | ||||
| Released | May 7, 2017 | |||
| Genre | World, Folk music | |||
| Length | 37:21 | |||
| Label | Janzi Music | |||
| Producer | Various
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| Janzi Band chronology | ||||
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| Alternative cover | ||||
| Singles from Eka | ||||
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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. [10]
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Label | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Eka" | Janzi | Janzi Music | 3.20 |
| 2. | "Afrika" | Janzi | Janzi Music | 3:16 |
| 3. | "Just a Dream" | Janzi | Janzi Music | 3:55 |
| 4. | "Ngaali" | Janzi | Janzi Music | 4.19 |
| 5. | "Njabala" | Janzi | Janzi Music | 5.30 |
| 6. | "Omwana Wabantu" | Janzi | Janzi Music | 4.29 |
| 7. | "River Road" | Janzi | Janzi Music | 4.22 |
| 8. | "Zimbabwe" | Janzi | Janzi Music | 4.56 |
| 9. | "Ekili" | Janzi | Janzi Music | 4.24 |