Janzi Band, sometimes simply Janzi, is a Ugandan afro-fusion, contemporary and world music group formed on 27 August 2009 by Ssewa Ssewa and friends Abraham Sekasi, Jackson Kirya and Steven Oundo. The band has a hybrid repertoire of music, including notable covers as well as an original ethno-pop discography. The band has worked alongside a number of Ugandan musicians, including Lilian Mbabazi and A Pass.

They are known for the creation of a new Ugandan harp-like instrument, the Janzi.

Their first album, Eka (Home) was released in on i-Tunes in 2017.

Background

Janzi is a Luganda word that means grasshopper, which according to the founders Ssewa Ssewa and friends Abraham Sekasi, Jackson Kirya and Steven Oundo,^[3] means that Janzi Band flies like grasshoppers. In 2009, Ssewa Ssewa and Abraham developed an idea to start a project that could aid cultural development through music. Their ambition was to unite cultures of different regions in the world through combining music of different ethnic origins.^[4]

Career

Since its inception in 2009, Janzi Band has steadily grown and has performed at different gigs in Uganda such as Zone 7 in Bugolobi, Club Amnesia, Big Mikes at Acacia Avenue and several casual and corporate functions.^[5][6][7] They have also performed at the annual Blankets and Wine festival, Milege World Music Festival in 2013 and 2015, Pearl Rhythm Festival, Bayimba Festival and others.^{[citation needed]}

In 2016, they headlined the Tokosa Food Festival with Ugandan musician Lilian Mbabazi,^[8] and in the same year collaborated with A Pass at the Chronixx Show.^[9]

As of April 2019^[update], their music is described on their Facebook page as "all-acoustic, all-traditional ensemble" as well as "an electric Afro-beat fusion band for festivals, weddings and concerts". They like the music of Afrigo Band, Morgan Heritage, UB40 and Salif Keita.^[10]

Band members

Current members

As of April 2019^[update] the band has nine members:^[10]

• Ssewa Ssewa (founder, African traditional instrumentalist, vocalist, percussionist)
• Abraham Ssekasi (traditional instruments, vocalist and percussionist)
• Trevor Muhumuza (music director, keyboard and vocals)
• Kevin Sekasi (drums and vocals)
• Jimmy Lubwama (lead vocals and guitar
• Allan Okia (bass guitarist and music producer),
• Joseph Kizito (saxophonist)
• Hakim Kiwanuka (percussionist and African instrumentalist)
• Michael Ssebulime (lead guitarist)

Past members

Discography

Albums

Eka (2017)

Eka is Janzi's first studio album and was officially released on iTunes on 7 May 2017. All the songs on the album were co-written and co-produced by the band's members. The songs on the album have however been played live by the band for many years. Eka was released under the band's label, Janzi Music.^[12]