Alchemist Bar Hosts the Best in Kenyan Jazz

The popularity of jazz performances in Nairobi has been growing rapidly, if the number of new events in the recent past is anything to go by.

The latest series to be launched is the Jazz Attitude which premiers this Sunday at the Alchemist in Westlands.

This monthly event features a selection of Kenyan musicians who are creating an impact while strongly influenced by jazz.

This inaugural concert will feature an exciting mix of both established and relatively new acts in the live music scene.

One of the country’s most accomplished jazz pianists Aaron “Krucial Keys” Rimbui will headline the show. Given his contribution to the Nairobi jazz scene in the last decade, there are fewer artists better suited to perform at such an event that celebrates the rising influence of the music.

Aaron was the music director of the first Safaricom Jazz Festival in 2014 and founded his own series of events “All That Jazz” in 2011.

His third and most recent album is “Deeper”, released in 2016 is based on a sound that revolves around piano, bass and drums. It features collaborations with Eddie Grey, Eric Wainaina, Kato Change, Kanji Mbugua and Bien-Aime Baraza of Sauti Sol.

In April this year, Aaron had a successful tour of South Africa where he played at different venues along with drummer Sphelelo Mazibuko and Nigerian bassist Amaeshi Ikechi. He is currently host of the long running radio show Capital FM Jazz Club .

Another outstanding artist on the Jazz Attitude bill is the singer June Gachui. She has been enjoying rave reviews for her powerhouse stage performances since last year’s launch of her debut album “Twenty years.”

Her vocal influences are strongly connected to soul, gospel and jazz while her experience as an actress adds flavour to her stage presence. Playing alongside June will be her regular “all girl” band The Flower Project.

Besides the established artists, the Jazz Attitude is committed to the development of emerging artists who are promoting the jazz culture in different formats. These range from straight-ahead jazz to R&B, neo soul, and electronic music.

Biggest hit

There are two such singer-songwriters whose presence will add plenty of excitement to the show.

Noel Nderitu and Tetu Shani both perform a suave fusion of multiple genres and have both been growing in stature on the live music circuit. Nderitu is a vocalist, keyboardist guitarist and bassist whose sound combines R&B, soul and gospel.

He released an EP “My kind of music” in 2013 and his full-length album “The Bridge” followed in May this year. He has been promoting the album at several acoustic gigs at churches around Nairobi.

His career has taken him to shows in Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Germany, Australia, New Zealand and the US.

Tetu Shani has already gained quite a huge following with his eclectic mix of urban folk, rock and electronic music.

His biggest hits to date, the catchy “Samalina” and “Chemistry” a duet with female singer Mayonde, have become crowd favourites at many concerts in Nairobi.

What started as a career as a percussionist playing the West African djembe has in the last five years evolved to produce a noteworthy singer and songwriter.

There are two other bands playing at the Jazz Attitude concert. Afro-jazz outfit, Threat Band comprises some of Nairobi’s most accomplished musicians led by guitarist Benjamin Kabasake along with Tito Monako on bass, Ben Gitau on keyboards and drummer Richard Wandati.

The band has established its reputation especially by playing as the session group during the Safaricom Live gigs around the country and supporting acts like Neema, Juliani, Kanji, Harry Kimani and Octopizzo among others.

They count Richard Bona and Marcus Miller among their influences and have been working on their own album.

This concert will provide them with a stage to showcase some of these new songs.