Thus he recruited some
musicians to join the now MTAWALIS BAND. These included
instrument players and singers. These are Ambrose Kazungu
(his brother), who plays the bass guitar and sings,
Rehema Kazungu (his sister), who sings soprano, Nancy
Pendo (now in Dubai), Sharon Ndinda and Lizzy Chikuta
Singers, Steven Mzungu, (singer), Amani Baya (drummer/singer),
and Mtawali (singer and guitar player and composer of
the Band's music). Since Mtawalis vision was to have
a full fledged Band, especiallya during launches and
concerts, he brought in the seasoned saxaphone player
Juma Tutu of the Tutu Band and Roland Isese, a skilled
guitarist. These two are not parmanent members of the
Band but rather temporary members who join the band
during live performances.
Why not use play back
instead of live music which is expensive to do? The
answer to this is that play back music does not give
the true picture of the musicians, even if the musician
has a cold no one will know, because one could even
mime to the music silently. Secondly, it is through
live music that gifts can be noticed and ehnaced. Take
for instance the instrument players, where will the
saxaphone player blow his saxaphones if all that is
done by a keyboard instead? That would result in killing
those gifts. It is sad to note that there are very few
saxaphone players in this country, not to mention instrument
players in general. I remember visiting churches where
all instruments were available but there was no one
to play them. Live music therefore helps to narture
people's gifts in music.
As a matter of fact
I recently acquired the dulcimer, and American tradational
music instrument which is played with small wooden hammers.
I hope to train someone to play it and incoporate it
in the Band. This dulcimer was specifically made for
me by the national dulcimer player in the USA, Dana.
The Mtawalis Band has
so far released two albums one Vunja Ngome Za Shetani
(Break the stronghold of Satan) and Shetan Ameshindwa
(The devil is defeated). Shetani Ameshindwa has nine
tracks which include 2 covers version of BWANA Yesu
and earlier song the Mtawalis which was done by Matthew
Hundley, an American musician. Matthew has teamed with
us and is in the process of putting the BAND's music
online on MtawalisBand.com. The nine tracks are:
Shetani ameshindwa,
Dunia Imeharibika, Shika Upanda Wako, Mwana wa Mungu,
Ninafurahi niko hai, Ninaenda na Yesu, Waponye wa Congo,
Bwana Yesu and Jesus is a mighty God.
Whats unique about this
album is the rich blending of saxaphone ensembles by
Juma Tutu, acoustic guitar touch by Mtawali, and the
percussion. The album is about celebration of life and
always living with our heads up knowing our greatest
enemy is defeated by Jesus.
The band plans to launch
the new album on 28th June in the city of Mombasa where
the Band has the greates following, hence the regions
liking for live music.
Mtawalis Band music
is available in Kenya and Australia where it enjoys
good sales. Mtawali, has toured Australia, New Zealand,
Congo, Tanzania and now plans to take the band on a
tour of ministry when time and funds allow.
The Bands future plans
are to acquire state of the art equipment and to have
its own recording studios. This new album was recorded
as the Kasongo Studio in Yaya Center.
Mtawalis music career
started in Nairobi School where under the expertise
of the late Mrs Wahu Amunga learnt to play the tuba
and studied music as a subject and played in the schools
Brass Band and led the Christian union singing group.
I learnt to play the guitar on my own. My elder brother
made his own guitar and from it learnt how to play.
I am grateful to my brother who never gave up in making
his own guitar, despite the fact that as he made his
guitar a certain neigbour passed by and scoffed, "Oh
you making guitar, okay make it so we can come and dance
here at home."
That happened recently
when the Band played all night at my dad's funeral in
Kilifi district. This was a dream come true that none
can kill a dream you have if you are determined.
