In their thirteen years together, KAYAMBA AFRICA has established itself not only as the most in-demand vocal group in the KENYA, but also as one of the most successful independent acts in AFRICA. In addition to substantial CD sales of its own independent releases (50,000copies sold and counting), the group has toured extensively throughout the KENYA and abroad, building their financial base with a steady list of festivals and private shows that eventually led to sold-out tours of theaters halls and small arenas.
Kayamba Africa began at Kenyatta University with Juma Odemba, who sings baritone and lead vocals, Moses Ekirapa, Argwings Kodhek, while were attending a wedding 1998. Shortly after forming, the group auditioned for a local entertainment star search, which helped jump-start the group’s performance and appearance schedule. Tenor, Simon Ngigi, and bass, Antony Ondeng, Patrick Ondondo joined soon after. Together the sextet reached national prominence with appearances on KBC and in DRUM MAGAZINE. They shared the stage with a number of recognizable performers including PAPA WEMBA, KOFFI OLOMIDE, among others, From the group’s onset, the members, with a small team of driven supporters, have overseen and operated the business of KAYAMBA AFRICA, growing a small business of a few thousand shillings into what is today a limited liability company. The group had to overcome a number of obstacles, including an unspoken apprehension to a cappella acts by individuals in the music industry and having a name that was anything but catchy (A reed instrument).and constant infighting for leadership and musical directions leading in some members leaving. Still, the group persevered, recording and manufacturing its own records and selling them to a growing legion of fans through the live shows and in shops, in the lobby of the theaters where they performed, and through a growing national distribution. One could say they gained their current consumer popularity the old-fashioned way; they earned it.
At present, KAYAMBA AFRICA just released their forth album, entitled “DHAHABU” on the heels of their previous projects (KAYAMBA AFRICA VOL 1 [DVD], SIMBA, SHEREHE, KAYAMBA AFRICA. The recordings contain indelible voices and percussion and instrumentation. This outstanding blend has resulted in multiple Contemporary traditional music, KORA AWARDS nominations, considerable national press, and has landed their music on every continent
Further, Kayamba Africa released their first DVD special in 2007, which aired on national T.V TO DATE. The DV.D will be distributed worldwide, continuing to spread their unique sound to an ever-increasing following.
KAYAMBA AFRICA continues to tour, record, and conscientiously run their business in the only way familiar to them –differently.
KAYAMBA AFRICA was one of the first Kenya groups to submit their video entry to the 2002 KORA all Africa Music Awards. Fortunately enough they were nominated for a KORA Award in the Best Traditional Category. Even though they did not win a KORA Award in 2002, they proved that their music has what it takes to get categorized with the best of the continent.
Some of Kayamba’s brilliant highlight includes sharing the stage with the renowned artist like:
Papa wemba,
Ras Kimono,
Maxi pries,
Awilo Longomba.
Kayamba co-produced a song AMANECE EN LA SAVANNA “SIMBA Awe Huru” let the lion free, with the group “BACILOS” An Animal Planet, television special for the discovery channel as a contribution to environment conservation.
The group involves itself in various charitable activities, including HIV/AIDS Awareness, Girl/Child education/ Prison Reform Welfare throughout the country.
Kayamba Africa is at the forefront of opening major international Conferences and events held in Kenya.
Kayamba Africa won a Kisima Award for the best group in Eastern and Central Kenya in 2004.
Kayamba Africa 2nd album “SHEREHE” has been well received the Group is the most sort-after for entertainment and cuts across all typed of color, creed and language.
The group made its U.K. debut in early September 2005, at the QUEEN ELIZABETH 11 hall at the heart of London, at the prestigious COMMONWEALTH LAW CONFERENCE 2005,
The group aims to reach out through their music to all audiences. Their songs are from different communities in Kenya. This includes a song in Hindi. Also included are songs from Ameru and Samburu. Meanwhile, Kayamba Africa continues to excel as one of Kenya’s most sorts after performance group. Kayamba Africa has incorporated a traditional dance troupe comprising of 4 female dancers and three percussionists,
FROM THE DIRECTOR;
We are proud to be among the most prolific bands in Kenya, we are thorough in our conviction that the Kenyan music scene is indeed vibrant and able to produce qualified performers, we have traversed the entire country through music and dance and graced every national, international event held in Kenya for the past years,
We believe our music ,dances and performance level has reached and surpassed international standards, we have the drive and ability to do this through partnership with various interested parties and sponsors, the group is self sustained through its activities and savings,
THE TEAM,
KAYAMBA AFRICA,
• JUMA ODEMBA (Director)
And twenty talented and active members including a;
TRADITIONAL DANCE TROUPE;
The maximum number of persons who may travel abroad is 20 and minimum 4
The largest capacity the group has performed to is an audience of 30,000 people on National DAYS,
But on private capacity the group has performed to a crowd of 1,000 to 5,000 persons,
The groups main performance days are Fri. sat and Sundays,
We also perform on weekday evenings at cocktails, receptions and dinners,
One of the major overseas trip we did was to London in sept’05, where 5 members performed at the commonwealth law conference 2005 at the queen Elizabeth the 2nd conference hall in London. From the response of the audience we were very well received,
The trip was organized by the London committee of the conference with the event of organizer OLIVE360 and proudly sponsored airfares by Liberty Africa tours,
KAYAMBA AFRICA was invited to THE SULTANATE OF OMAN by the African community on the 22nd May ‘7 TO perform at the AFRICAN DAY celebrations at the MUSCAT INTERCONTINENTAL HOTEL, were they received accolades for staging an unforgettable performance according to the TIMES OF OMAN and OMAN TRIBUNAL newspapers, plans are under way for further tours, some of the performances include;
• The 21st UN habitat governing council meeting in Nairobi ,Kenya
• Launch of the SERVICE CHARTER of KENYA PORTS AUTHORITY, in Mombasa Kenya
• Launch of various promotions and events by EABL
• The world social forum conference in Kenya
• First ever JUDICIARY OPEN DAY FORUM
• Netherlands embassy
• Launch of ELECTORAL COMMISSION REGISTRATION EXERCISE
• WORLD CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIP ‘07 IN
KENYA
• THE KISS ONE HUNDRED BIG WEDDING
• THE Algerian embassy
• The Russian Independence Day celebrations
• THE SPECIAL OLYMPICS FUND RAISING hosted by the Chinese high commissioner at his residence.
• There are occasions where we do not require payment for performances. Including fund raising and charity events that involve persons or causes that are of humanitarian nature
We look forward to working with will partners in any undertakings that will bring success and future possibilities of moving our music to the rest of the world.
Kayamba Africa as a result of its previous performance in Oman were once again invited for an unprecedented second time to perform in MUSCAT this was an even bigger Africa day event on 24th may, and a performance at the AMERICAN BRITISH ACADEMY.
FURTHER Kayamba Africa WAS INVITED TO TAKE PART IN PREOLYMPIC EVENTS; the official Chinese agency Xinhua;” A singing and dancing show featuring African culture was put on stage in Beijing on Monday, part of the on-going Olympic cultural activities in the city.
Nearly 100 artists from South Africa, Tanzania, Mauritius, Rwanda, Senegal, Cameroun and Kenya performed the African Night show at the Great Hall of the People in the Tiananmen Square, central Beijing.
The 90-minute performance featured the four themes of air, earth, love and friendship.
Dressed in traditional red costumes, Kenyan band "Kayamba Africa" sang an old Chinese folk song "My Chinese Heart" for quake survivors in southwest Sichuan Province.
The six-member band won thunderous applause from the audience when they finished their performance.
Juma Odemba, the band's music director, said they sympathized people in the quake-stricken region after reading media reports. They chose the song because they wanted to tell quake survivors that no matter what happened they should be strong and never give up hope.
He said Chinese are strong and they can always conquer difficulties to gain victories.
"We spent much time doing the rehearsal because we don't know a word of Chinese," he said. The band began the rehearsal as early as in January.
He said he was touched when Olympics volunteers helped him doing entry procedures at the airport.
"The strict security check at the airport and colorful banners carrying Olympic logos were very impressive. I believe Beijing is ready for the Games," he said.
Ten African kids who were studying in China performed acrobatics after being trained in Wuqiao County, Hebei Province, known as China's home of acrobatics. ALSO FROM KENYA;”
Kayamba Africa
The most imitated band in Kenya, from the slums of Korogocho to the most powerful woman on earth! From the high and mighty of society to the aids orphans in the lowest part of our society.
From Nameless, Wahu, Wyre, Susan Owiyo, Eric Wainaina and other top Kenyan acts, to CHRISTOPHER CROSS and KELLY ROWLAND, the fan base of the group has grown in heaps and bounds.
KAYAMBA AFRICA performs in over 624 shows each year across most towns and cities in Kenya and the world, the combined audience being over 200,000. THE HIGHLIGHT of the year 2009 was the performance at Carnivore during which THE US
Secretary of State took to the floor to the irresistible beats of KAYAMBA AFRICA.
This was and still is, the most talked about event ever and was an instant internet hit!
They have toured in KENYA and internationally in various countries including, UGANDA, TANZANIA, UK, SULTANATE OF OMAN, SOUTH AFRICA, CHINA, and the USA.
Kayamba Africa independently visits various charitable organizations and performs for free while giving donations.
Their national appearances include, THE PRIME SHOW, GOOD MORNING KENYA, KBC, CRI TV CHINA, CNN, AL JAZEERA and various prime programmes on KTN, K24, CITIZEN TV and CNN. They have also featured in Samantha bridal magazine, Drum magazine, Business post and various national magazines.
They feature on most NATIONAL CELEBRATIONS, FESTIVE CELEBRATIONS, and are respected for their non-partisan role in Kenya and the world.
KAYAMBA AFRICA has shared the stage with; RAS KIMONO, AWILO LONGOMA, KOFFI OLOMIDE, PAPA WEMBA, OLIVER MTUKUDZI, and many more.
Kayamba Africa’s original songs; ’auma’, arrangements ‘mugithi ’and albums, ‘simba’ has won them several awards and accolades including KORA AWARDS NOMINATION 2002, BEST TRADITIONAL MUSIC, KISIMA AWARD FOR BEST EASTERN SONG 2004, BEST BAND IN KENYA,PEARL AWARDS 2008.in 2009 they where honored with an award for promoting cohesion among different tribes in KENYA by using there music., during THE KENYA FESTIVAL.
It has been described as KENYA’S MOST LISTENED TO BAND.KAYAMBA AFRICA participated in the entertainment during the Gala dinner for the 17TH Confederation of African Athletics Championships held in Nairobi,Kenya
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