Ugandan & Tanzanian musicians in for a Boot Camp

By +Caroline Anande Uliwa @CarolAnande-Instagram @CarolAnande-Facebook @CarolAnande-Twitter

Sitenda from Uganda receiving her
 certificate from the facilitators Natlie and Ambasa

Under a makuti thatched roof a makeshift stage with musical instruments, greets your walk from the narrow steps leading to CDEA (Culture Development East Africa) head offices, on their rooftop in Mikocheni B. It’s the 28th of July a quiet night, we’re here to celebrate musicians from Uganda and Tanzania concluding their three day workshop; with a live music performance.

Last year June CDEA launched an annual workshop series titled ‘Music Boot Camp’, calling out musicians from East Africa. To interact with fellow musicians in the region, as well learn from respected professionals in the industry. Brushing and learning various skills of the business to include  online marketing, African music history, Image development etc.

Starting left Angela Kilusungu of CDEA,
 Natalie Lukkanear of Sauti Academy,
Grace Matata of CDEA, another affiliant of CDEA
and Ambasa Nelson Mandela of Sarabi Band

This year saw 18 applicants including Sandra Judith, Sitenda, Mwaka Benson, Arinaitwe Timothy, Okot Simon from Uganda as well Maisara Nassoro, Achieli Temu, Elisha James, James Mwigune, Hamisi Cholo, Benedict Ngelela. Hilary More, Nelius Sostenes, Micky Marvin, Irene Veda, Boniface Aron, Allen Henjewele and Eileen Mwalongo from Tanzania. 

Miss Irene La Veda from Tanzania tearing
 it up with the Sax at the performance
inside CDEA

Throughout the workshop they were greeted with facilitators like Natalie Lukkanear from the Nedherlands. She is the founder of Sauti Academy in Kenya that started in 2010, the first East Africa’s first official Artist Development program. She is also the Executive Director of Penya Africa a music label of 5 years in Kenya. She has worked with artists like Sauti Sol and H_art the Band, Elani, Willy Paul & others. “It was super awesome dealing with the musicians, the language barriers with my Kenyan English & Swahili made it for a nice and confusing situation…I was impressed with the talent” Natalie 

In the middle Hilalry More receiving his certificate
for attendance from the 'music boot camp'
workshop hosted by CDEA this year

Other facilitators included Ambasa Nelson Mandela of Sarabi band in Kenya and daughter of the late Remi Ongala Ms Aziza Ongala, an event manager working with several festivals in & outside the country.  Nelson’s energy is so infectious meeting him downstairs he had two discreet silver earrings on his lobes. By the time he climbed upstairs he had attached curtain hoops to them, making for noticeable earrings on a man. Then again listening to his jokes and antics on stage as the MC of the night, you weren’t surprised by his creative energy. He went on to introduce us to the acts of the night.

The facilitators had challenged the participants to form collaborations with each other and compose songs within the two days of the workshop, that they performed for the crowd on this night. Among the performances that lit up the stage was a duet between rising star Achieli a.k.a Chi from Tanzania with Sitenda from Uganda’, their song ‘Kazine’ which means to dance in Uganda. It was very impressive including a catchy chorus and stunning harmonies from their distinct vocals. (watch here) <iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FCarolAnande%2Fvideos%2F1429778380452088%2F&show_text=0&width=560" width="560" height="315" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowTransparency="true" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe> In effect Natalie who spots talent for a living encouraged the two to work together in future.

The performance with Hillary and James also stains the memory, particularly the impressive mouth percussions from Hillary. You would think he had inserted a small drum in his mouth but no with skilled slaps to his cheeks beautiful beats came out. Irene la Veda with her saxophone from Tanzania paired up with Micky Melvin from Tanzania. Their song was dynamic especially with its sax solo’s from Veda. Micky who is a songwriter composed it’s lyrics and both crooned lulling swahili lyrics on this night.

Audience members at the event 

The Creative Manager at CDEA Angela Kilusungu in bidding us adieu said “I am so happy with the turn up of this workshop, thank you all for braving the challenges. Particularly those of you from who travelled from Shinyanga, Arusha and Uganda. We hope you learned from us as we did from you…we’re all really proud…”

James Mwigune receiving a hug from
Natalie right before getting his certificate

Among the participants performing on the night
Irene La Veda on the Sax and Micky Melvin
with the red coat

From Left Natalie, Achieli Temu holding her workshop
attendance certificate, see Ambasa Nelson (notice his earring

On this night the participants were honoured with an attendance certificate which was presented in true artistic style. By Natalie and Nelson where much applause and hugs were shared by the audience and participants alike.

Article was first published in the DailyNews Tanzania paper on the 1st of Aug'17