Janzi - The New Sound of Uganda
Ssewa Ssewa, a traditional Ugandan folk musician, has invented a new instrument.
The Janzi, a double-harp type instrument based on the more traditional single harped Adungu, is unique. With a diatonic scale on one side and a pentatonic on the other, it allows Ssewa Ssewa to blend in with almost any genre of music.
The Janzi is not only owned and patented by Ssewa Ssewa but was also built with his own hands. The Janzi, like Ssewa Ssewa's other updated instruments such as his take on the Adungu, is equipped with line and XLR inputs. This makes it a much more versatile instrument both in studio and on stage.
Ssewa Ssewa started Janzi band, one of Kampala's hottest regularly gigging bands. They're trying to up the level of professional music in Uganda blending local music with pop, rock and reggae flavours to appeal to Kampala's local and international audience. Janzi band write their own music and have released an album entitled Eka.
After the success of Janzi band, Ssewa Ssewa set his sights on something closer to his heart - promoting traditional Ugandan music. His father, the late James Ssewakiryanga Senior was one of Uganda's most respected musicians. A percussionist and proponent of traditional Ugandan music, Ssewakiryanga Sr brought his son up to respect, appreciate, love and cherish Ugandan culture and music. At a recent gig in Madrid, Ssewa Ssewa asked a question that many unfamiliar with Uganda may have never thought about - 'why is it that with 54-56 tribes, an incredible amount of musical heritage, countless local instruments that our music has not traveled like that of West Africa. You can all name West African artists, but can you name me one Ugandan musician?' The answer is of course complex but Ssewa Ssewa narrows it down to a few key factors.
First of all, the look of and materials used on Ugandan instruments. They are beautiful in their own way but often rough, the goatskin or hides used can cause problems when traveling and they lack that aesthetic appeal of the kora or the djembe. Second, Ugandans themselves are not appreciating traditional music in the masses. Traditional culture has been overshadowed by the digital boom, casio keyboard backing tracks and a more American, Jamaican or East African brand of hip hop has taken over. For many, there is nothing wrong with this music but the emphasis on output quantity rather than quality favours the computer studio artists rather than organic, instrumental music. The final reason is a lack of support for music and musicians. The government is fighting high unemployment and has outright said that the arts are unimportant. They are underfunded, undervalued and undercut at any possible opportunity. So, what's the answer to this problem?
Studio Shpops had the honour of recording the Janzi in home studio and live settings. We set up three shows and were the first to unveil the Janzi to Spanish audiences. It's safe to say that they were blown away by the instrument itself and the musicianship shown by both Ssewa Ssewa and bandmate Abraham Sekasi. Huge thanks to all who came out to watch the shows. The sessions will be available on our website. You can also find more of Ssewa Ssewa's music and Janzi band's music by clicking on the links below.
Live Video from NONO's gig in Macanudo Bar Espacio Arte, 19th February 2018, Madrid.