In Conversation with Shamsi Music on Their Journey and the Safaricom International Jazz Festival

I’m a lover of jazz and enjoy the annual Safaricom International Jazz Festival. Other then the opportunity to see some of the best jazz acts in the world live, I love the fact that the festival gives Kenyan jazz fans an opportunity to discover amazing local talent. One of my favourite Kenyan jazz bands, Shamsi Music, is a band I discovered last year thanks to Safaricom Jazz Lounge and I am ecstatic that I’ll get to see them on the big stage this year Sunday February 26th at Kasarani for the Safaricom International Jazz Festival. Tickets are going for Ksh 2,000 and Ksh 500 for students with children under 12 getting in free and can be bought through M-Ticketing by dialling 1511. I got the opportunity to interview the members of Shamsi Music ahead of the festival.

1. Who is Shamsi Music?

Shamsi Music is a professional Fusion Jazz Band from Nairobi, Kenya. Having come from varied musical backgrounds, our music represents a kaleidoscope of jazzy funfair that takes the listener through a rollercoaster of emotion. We pride ourselves in creating refreshingly memorable musical experiences. We make music that refreshes, inspires and gives hope, for God’s glory.

The band comprises of:

• Paul Mbithi – Band leader, Music Director, Pianist, Keyboardist, Composer
• Samwel “Laka‟ Nyaga – Assistant band leader, Saxophonist, Composer
• George Nyoro – Pianist, Keyboardist, Composer
• Kenn “Biggie‟ Njoroge – Drummer, Band Manager
• Michael Munene – Bassist, Composer
• Immaunel Mohol – Guitars

2. What is the inspiration for the name ‘Shamsi’?

Shamsi is Arabic/Urdu for “Sun/Solar”. We desire to be a light to the world and music industry.

3. How did you get together to form the band? Why did you go down the jazz route?

Some of us in the band had played together for a while on different projects, and in church. Circa October 2014, band leader Paul Mbithi felt the need to form an instrumental jazz band to cater to the need for self-expression as instrumentalists on our instruments. The band would also showcase our original compositions, and create a bridge for us from the church into the mainstream music scene.

Why Jazz? It was the common denominator in terms of shared musical interests. Musical expression is a core element of jazz. Therein we found our home.

4. What is your creative process like?

Random! We have a collaborative approach towards writing our music and our creative process in general. Rarely does anyone in the band ever come up with all the ideas for a song. It’s a team effort. We also like to feed off each other’s individual musical inspirations during rehearsal.

5. What are your thoughts on jazz in Kenya, what challenges have you faced as a jazz band and how do you think we can improve on the craft?

Jazz in Kenya is slowly coming of age. There are a lot of cool jazz acts in the country, both young and old, musicians sweating it out to deliver world class music. I think what is now left is to develop a robust jazz culture. Get more people to enjoy and appreciate jazz. Create a growing and sustainable market and fan-base. Mainstream penetration has been a challenge for us. Jazz is niche, but we think it is possible to achieve cross-over appeal while still maintaining the authenticity of jazz. We do an afro-inclined version of fusion jazz; fusing elements of jazz with elements of the local sound of the land, both for familiarity to the listener’s ear, but also so that we can get our motherland sound out there to the world.

We also need more platforms for jazz musicians to play. Safaricom has done a great job in providing a world class, international stage for us to play on. We need more of these, but more importantly, smaller, consistent venues. It all boils down to having a vibrant jazz culture.

6. What work/project are you most proud of?

It has to be our debut album, “The Audition”! The real embodiment of blood, sweat and tears. Recording our album was quite the journey, a story we shall share as we gear up for the album launch in June. We would like you guys to appreciate what went into creating the album.

Following at a close second is our participation in the Safaricom International Jazz Festival.

7. You auditioned more than once for Safaricom Jazz before you got shortlisted. What is the audition process like and what advice would you give other bands that are interested in auditioning?

We auditioned 3 times in total, 2 times in the current band configuration. The audition process can be intimidating. The panellists, the room, the air, the magnitude of the festival – but all in all, we finally succeeded, third time in!

Our advice to other interested bands; do not shun the audition process. It is an important process if you want to be picked. More importantly, prepare for the audition. It helps if you already have a consistent thing going as a band or musician. Consistency shows, but also, the audition sort of creeps up on you. If you have a thing going already, it works to your advantage. Be ready, dress the part and perform! Be deliberate about putting together an actual performance at the audition.

8. What does it take to be a band taking part in the Safaricom Jazz Festival? What goes into rehearsal?

Repertoire, rehearsals and a performance get up; basically a strong musical vocabulary, energy and impeccable delivery.

What goes into rehearsal? Committed preparation time, both as individuals in the group and as a group. You just have to put in the time.

9. What can we expect from you at this year’s Safaricom Jazz Festival?

ENERGY! Fusion jazz music that’s an easy listen, a fun and engaging set! Lastly, a new but familiar sound.

10. Who are your favourite Jazz artistes and why?

Our favourite jazz artistes are as many and varied as our individual musical tastes and preferences. However, a few cut across for everyone in the band. They include afro jazz artistes such as Jimmy Dludlu, Kunle Ayo, Richard Bona, Lokua Kanza and international acts such as Snarky Puppy, Kirk Whalum, Gerald Albright, Herbie Hancock, Chic Corea, George Duke, Dexter Gordon, Grover Washington Jr, Duke Ellington, Wynton Marsalis, Oscar Peterson, Brian Culbertson, Nathan East, Richard Bona and Jamie Cullum. This list is probably inexhaustible!

Why these artistes? They have formed an integral part in our appreciation of jazz and our growth as musicians.

11. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

• Distinctly recognisable pioneers of a unique sound both in the country and the region.
• Have about 2 or 3 more albums out.
• Have a consistent show(s) attributable to Shamsi Music.

For upcoming projects:

• • Watch out for the play “Bei ya Jioni” a riveting drama by Chatterbox Film & Theatre. We are proud partners and part of the music team. It’s gonna be a great show! March 24^th – March 26^th and March 31^st to April 2^nd. Details here.
  • The Kinyua Ngeera Education Foundation benefit concert on May 6^th More details on our social media pages.
  • “The Audition” album launch towards the end of June. More details on our social media pages. This is gonna be a memorable show, one for the books!

Bonus Question

12. If you could have the opportunity to play with any jazz musician/band past or present, who would it be and why?

Definitely most if not all of our jazz influences listed earlier on in the article!

Check out Shamsi Music’s profiles and work below.

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ShamsiMusicKE

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shamsimusicke/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ShamsiMusicKenya/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/ShamsiMusic

Website: http://www.shamsi.co.ke/