Ssewa Ssewa
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Ssewa Ssewa | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | James Ssewakiryanga |
| Also known as | Ssewa Ssewa |
| Born | 25 June 1987 Kampala, Uganda |
| Genres |
|
| Occupation(s) | Musician, Instrumentalist, Music entrepreneur |
| Instrument(s) | Janzi, Akogo, Adungu, Endongo, Endigidi, Amadinda, Engoma, Mbira and percussions |
| Years active | 2000–present |
| Labels | Janzi Music |
James Ssewakiryanga Junior,[1] professionally known as Ssewa Ssewa,[2] is a Ugandan live performing musician, multi – instrumentalist, founder of Janzi Band and inventor of Janzi, a musical instrument.
Career[edit]
Son of a traditional drummer and a dancer, Ssewa Ssewa has never had any professional training. His first instrument was a xylophone, taught by his mother. He started studying business at university, but after being encouraged and taught by members of his father's band, decided to pursue music.[3]
Ssewa Ssewa started playing music professionally in 2000. He co-founded Janzi Band[4] along with his friends in 2009 and has been the director since then.
He plays nine instruments, eight of them African,[3] and is a professional percussionist.[5]
Ssewa Ssewa has frequently performed live. He has performed on many stages both in Uganda and abroad and has worked with many musicians including the Quela Band,[6] Navio, A Pass, Isaiah Katumwa, Suzan Kerunen, Mame Ndiak, Giovanni Kiyingi and Hugh Masekela.[citation needed] He was one of the main performers at World Music Day in Uganda in June 2017 alongside Apio Moro, Haka Mukiga, Mame Ndiak, Jackie Akello and many others. He performed with Giovanni Kiyingi, a fellow multi-instrumentalist.[7]
In 2024, Ssewa Ssewa performed at the Non-Aligned Movement summit at Serena hotel in Kigo and he entertained the NAM delegates with his cultural music sounds of the Janzi instrument.[8]
Awards and nominations[edit]
In 2021, Ssewa Ssewa organised the Janzi awards which happened at the Kololo independence grounds on 11 to 12 December 2021 and happened for two days in the same venue.[9][10] Ssewa Ssewa has been recognised by different music institutions in the United Kingdom. He was nominated in the World Music Awards in the best world and global fusion award category.[11]Although he did not emerge as a winner, this nomination increased his fame internationally.
Philanthropy[edit]
Ssewa Ssewa started a charity organisation called Janzi4Hope aimed at changing lives of vulnerable in Uganda through music activities spear-headed by the Janzi Instrument.[12] In 2022, Ssewa Ssewa and the Janzi Band celebrated the World Autism Day and performed at the Nile village in Jinja district in Eastern Uganda[13]
Janzi (Instrument)[edit]
The janzi is a string instrument invented by Ssewa Ssewa. The instrument has been used on all Janzi Band and Ssewa Ssewa’s setups since its inception. The janzi is a based on the traditional harp-like Ugandan instrument called the adungu, but the janzi is different in several ways, unique and patented as a separate instrument.[citation needed]
The name originates from the name of the band.[14]
Discography[edit]
Ssewa Ssewa has worked with Janzi Band since its inception and has also worked on his solo projects.
Studio albums[edit]
| Title | Details |
|---|---|
| Down In Uganda[15] |
|
| Janzi2Scales[16] |
|
| Nva K'la[17] |
|
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ "Ugandan artist Ssewakiryanga's musical journey with Janzi Band". Music in Africa.
- ^ "About Ssewa Ssewa". Janzi Music.
- ^ a b "Uganda has a new musical instrument" (audio). BBC News. 18 April 2019. Retrieved 18 April 2019.
- ^ "Ssewakiryanga's musical journey with Janzi Band". Daily Monitor. Retrieved 22 August 2015.
- ^ "A Look At James Ssewa's Favourite Gadgets". Chano 8. Retrieved 12 September 2015.
- ^ "Qwela live in concert "Rhythm & life"". Music in Uganda.
- ^ "PHOTOS: Fête de la Musique 2017 Closes With Massive Main Concert". The Tower Post. Retrieved 26 June 2017.
- ^ "NAM Summit: First Lady launches campaign to close gender gap". New Vision. Retrieved 2024-01-30.
- ^ "The Janzi Awards Celebrates Contemporary Ugandan Literature". brittlepaper.com. Retrieved 2024-01-30.
- ^ "Janzi Awards 2021 in Uganda: All the winners". Music In Africa. 2021-12-13. Retrieved 2024-01-30.
- ^ "2023 Nominees". One World Media. Retrieved 2024-01-30.
- ^ "Janzi4Hope". Janzi. Retrieved 2024-01-30.
- ^ "Janzi band to celebrate Autism Day with charity". New Vision. Retrieved 2024-01-30.
- ^ Batte, Edgar Raymond (7 October 2015). "Ugandan artist Ssewakiryanga's musical journey with Janzi Band". Music in Africa. Retrieved 18 April 2019.
- ^ "Down in Uganda by Ssewa Ssewa (Full Album)". Janzi. Retrieved 2024-01-30.
- ^ "Janzi Music". Janzi. Retrieved 2024-01-30.
- ^ "NVA K'LA". Proper Music. Retrieved 2024-01-30.
External links[edit]
| Authority control databases: Artists |
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