JABALI AFRIKA
Washington, D.C., Washington, D.C., United States | Established. Jan 01, 1993 | SELF
Music
Press
Arc offers shelter to new acts.
Arch music group has expanded
upon it's "one stop shopping concept by signing Sacramento, Calif.based rock band Groovie Ghoulies and Kenyas Jabali Afrika.
"Bringing Jabali Afrika into our catalog widens our global conciousness and brodens our catalog of different genres for synch and master licensing-one stop shopping"Arch CEO Marshall Chess says. - Billboard Magazine 2004 April edition
http://mp3.washingtonpost.com/bands/jabali_afrika.shtml
- Washington Post
"It's very lively...it's a very engaging performance,"said Susanne Skubal,interim director of student services at UW-Manitowoc. - Herald times Reporter/february 6,2005
"I liked the dancing,and I thought it was good how they got other people involved while they were still playing the music"said Shedonna Childs,a sophomore at Kent State.
"We wanted to bring something in to celebrate black history Month.We don't ordinarily get this many,it was a very good crowd," Verna Williams said. - Chronicle/February22,2005
http://archives.seattletimes.nwsource.com/cgi-bin/texis.cgi/web/vortex/display?slug=jabali02n&date=20050302
to view the article, use the
User ID: jabali
Password: afrika - The Seattle times
Mr.Rogers NeighborHood.
http://museum-go-round.tripod.com/tribuneReview.html - Tribune Review
The song "NJelele"Winner in the 2006 January editon Global rhythm Collector's Compilation CD. - Global Rhythm Magazine
Finalist in the International Song writing competion 2003,and also on the Honorable mention list under the name Justo D. Otongo,World music category,the song "GODLY LOVE" - ISC
Finalist in the USA songwriting competition 2004,under the name Justo D. Otongo, World music category,the song "EXOTICA" - www.songwriting.net
Discography
Still working on that hot first release.
Photos
Bio
Biography
JABALI AFRIKA originates from East Africa's Kenya. The band's original sound, however, is attributed to its own unique mixture and special fusion of African rhythms. This is a truly multi-faceted band whose members are not only adept at composing songs, playing a variety of instruments, and blending their voices into a harmonious sound but, are also talented dancers and choreographers.
The band's origin can be traced to the Kenya National Theatre Dance Troupe. In 1993, feeling unnecessarily censored, some of the members of the troupe became dissatisfied with the choices in their repertoire. In their frustration, Joseck Asikoye, Victor Elolo, Justo Otongo, Evans Chagala and Robert Owino broke away from the troupe and formed what is known as JABALI AFRIKA. The name was picked because the word Jabali is Kiswahili (Kenya's national language) for rock. This word was significant to the original members because they used to meet on a large rock in order to discuss how to advance their musical careers. Therefore, Jabali was an ideal name for the band. Since then Chagala and Owino have left the group, and the band is proud to have added Bernard Siahi to the lineup.
Through Perseverance, JABALI AFRIKA began to enjoy its first taste of success when the band was invited to play percussion in the United Radio and Television Network of Afrika (URTNA) awards. Not long after, the band launched its unique sound on Nairobi's National Talent Search (Star Search). The band went on to win the best traditional adaptation award in Kenya in December 1994. As a result of this achievement the band earned recognition al over Africa, as well as Europe, and seemed unbeatable. In the spring of 1995, the band was invited to headline the African Heritage Festival tour of Germany and Austria. The tour stopped at over forty cities, where in each city the mayor performed the festival's opening ceremonies. CNN Lifestyle even aired a feature of the festival's portrayal of the creative and dynamic side of Africa in the world today.
To date, JABALI AFRIKA has toured Europe and Japan extensively, and recently the band has made its way to the United States of America. While in the USA they have played major festivals, including the HORDE festival in 1996. The group has also made appearances in Mr. Rogers' neighborhood,
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