Christine Kamau
Nairobi, Nairobi Area, Kenya | Established. Jan 01, 2011 | SELF
Music
Press
I want to tell you about Christine Kamau, a very exciting and young musician from Kenya. Kamau plays the trumpet. "This is For You" is her debut album. In Africa it's very rare for a woman musician to play a horn instrument. Manasseh Phiri - PRI
Christine Kamau is part of the wave of Kenyan musicians dedicating themselves to playing jazz. In the last three years, she has been on stage playing for a growing number of Kenyan jazz enthusiasts. - Business Daily
Female horn players aren't that common in Africa, so we were thrilled to hear about Kenyan afro-jazz trumpeter/composer Christine Kamau - This is Africa
Rwanda-
Her reputation still stays, and too most Jazz lovers who gathered at the Kigali Serena hotel, Kenya’s Christine Kamau was that thrill, which quenched most Jazz thirsty souls.
Being the main guest act, Christine Kamau‘s Saxophone abilities left many in desire for more. The talented instrumentalist, who is also perfect at vocals was backed by Rwanda’s Neptunez band, who summed up the perfect evening through performance of various song covers by legendary Jazz acts on top of those off her original album too. - Arts Glo
The Goethe institute was the place to be for an intimate evening of amazing music curated by women. Women in music Forum is aimed at promoting and celebrating women in the performing arts by providing an avenue for them to showcase their stage performance skills via regular live concerts.
The concert which is in its second year, is an initiative by Christine Kamau, in a bid to share her passion in music. The Women in Music Forum links professional and experienced female musicians with upcoming women musicians through mentorship workshops and live events. - Jazz Symphonic
Discography
This is For You (2012)
Instrumental Afro-Jazz Album
Dreams (2016)
Single - Studio collaboration with rappers Akua Naru, Wangechi and Checkmate Mido
Photos
Bio
Christine Kamau is a Trumpeter, Composer, Band Leader and Performing Artist based in Nairobi, Kenya. She has performed in various countries including Nigeria, Zanzibar, Ivory Coast, Uganda, Tanzania among others. Originally from Nakuru, a scenic town in the Rift Valley region of Kenya, Christine began her music journey by studying music theory and classical piano. She subsequently picked up the Trumpet and honed her skills by playing as a side(wo)man in local bands, churches and groups.
In the year 2011 she formed her own band, the African People, an outfit fronted by a 2-3 part horn section playing mostly her original jazz-influenced compositions at various events in Nairobi. She credits her musical influences to South Africa's Hugh Masekela, Kenyan oldies band from the 70’s Maroon Commandos, Jazz Trumpeter Miles Davis amongst others.
Christine Kamau released an 8-track instrumental afro-jazz album in 2012 titled This is for You worked on with Cameroonian music producer Romeo Kouemeni. It offers an easy listening experience, the music being a fusion of jazz with African music elements of ‘Benga’ and Rhumba’.
She was featured in a musical program by the BBC world service titled ‘Africa Beats’ a series that showcases emerging music talent from Africa.
Christine Kamau currently performs regularly in the Nairobi music scene and has performed at various musical events and festivals including:
Sierra Jazz Festival (opening for the UK acid-jazz group Incognito) 2012
The ‘Jazz with Isaiah Katumwa Show’ at Kampala Sheraton Hotel, Uganda 2013
Sondeka Arts Festival at Nairobi Arboretum Nairobi 2015
Market for African Performing Arts (MASA Festival) Ivory Coast 2016
Doadoa Festival Uganda 2016
Jahazi Jazz & Literary Festival Zanzibar 2016
Capital Jazz Festival Abuja Nigeria 2016
Kigali Jazz Junction Rwanda 2017 amongst others.
Christine Kamau is also the founder and host of the Women in Music Forum, a platform that seeks to facilitate interaction of East African women in performing arts by providing an avenue for them to showcase their stage performance skills by hosting regular live-music concerts dubbed ‘Women in Music Concert Series’.
REVIEWS
She is talented and dedicated. This album (This is for You) showcases that in the best way…I don’t have a favourite track as all the tracks are a pleasure to listen to. Eric Alan, All that Jazz Radio Cape Town South Africa
-with hindsight her 2012 debut was a seminal moment in this decade’s African Jazz. africanjazz.info (2015) A concise guide to jazz from sub-Saharan Africa
This album (This is for You) is actually, a very good listen and there’s every indication that even the conservative jazz-loving crowd will love the vibe on the eight songs contained here. Bill Odidi, Business Daily
Christine Kamau may have one of the
most popular surnames in her native Kenya, but she stands out as being the only
female jazz trumpeter, writing her own material for herself and her band. Victor Owusu-Bediako, Ghana Star
Band Members
Links