Giovanni Kiyingi

{{Infobox musical artist

| name = Giovanni Kiyingi

| image =

| caption =

| birth_name = Giovanni Kiyingi

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1991|6|3}}

| origin = Kampala, Uganda

| genre = World music, Afro Fusion, African folk music

| occupation = Singer-songwriter, musician

| instrument = Endingidi, Vocals, The Janzi, Adungu, Akogo, Madiinda, guitar, harmonica, flute, Djembe, Calabash, congas, maracas

| associated_acts = Janzi Band, Ssewa Ssewa, Mulatu Astatke, Milege, Joel Sebunjo, Suzan Kerunen, Afrigo Band, Haka Mukiga

| years_active = 2008–present

| label =

| website = {{URL|https://giovannikiyingi.com}}

}}

Giovanni Kiyingi, is a Ugandan folk singer-songwriter and world music artist. He is known for his skills as a multi-instrumentalist who plays the local Ugandan fiddle (endingidi), akogo, adungu, guitar, harmonica, flute, djembe, calabash, congas, drums, and maracas, among others.{{cite news | title=Kahirimbanyi's Kahiri lands without hitch | url=http://www.observer.ug/lifestyle/42-entertainment/36604-kahirimbanyi-s-kahiri-lands-without-hitch | accessdate=3 March 2015 | publisher=The Observer Ug | archive-date=11 July 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150711084303/http://www.observer.ug/lifestyle/42-entertainment/36604-kahirimbanyi-s-kahiri-lands-without-hitch | url-status=dead }}{{cite web | title=Giovanni Kremer Kiyingi | url=http://thisisuganda.org/giovanni-kremer-kiyingi/| website=thisisuganda.org | publisher=This is Uganda}} He was one of the Ugandan artists chosen to welcome Pope Francis to Uganda at Kololo on 27 November 2015.

His skill as a multi-instrumentalist, vocalist and performer have won him invitations to perform at major music festivals and co-operative events in Uganda and the rest of the world.{{cite web | title=Thursday Nite Live Featuring Makadem(KE) & Giovanni Kiyingi (UG) at Choices Pub and Restaurant | url=http://www.kenyabuzz.com/whats-on/thursday-nite-live-featuring-makademke-giovanni-ki | website=kenyabuzz | publisher=Kenya Buzz | access-date=28 November 2015 | archive-date=8 December 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208163058/http://www.kenyabuzz.com/whats-on/thursday-nite-live-featuring-makademke-giovanni-ki | url-status=dead }} He won an invitation to perform at a landmark yoga event in India dubbed "The unveiling of a 112 foot tall face of the Adiyogi Shiva– the source of yoga'".{{cite web | title=This week's Beat: Uganda hosts Masekela Previous Story Image Image Katy Perry skeletons resemble Trump, May... Next Story Uganda's Giovanni to perform at yoga event in India | url=http://www.newvision.co.ug/new_vision/news/1446932/ugandas-giovanni-perform-yoga-event-india | website=New Vision | accessdate=23 February 2017}}

Personal life

Giovanni, during his interview with Chimpreports, Kiyingi confirmed that he quit school for a year to concentrate on music.{{cite web | title=Profiles / Interview: I Quit School for 1 Year to Concentrate on Music – Ugandan Musician | url=http://chimpreports.com/entertainment/interview-i-quit-school-for-1-year-to-concentrate-on-music-ugandan-musician | website=chimpreports | publisher=Chimpreports | accessdate=1 August 2015 | archive-date=8 December 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208135823/http://chimpreports.com/entertainment/interview-i-quit-school-for-1-year-to-concentrate-on-music-ugandan-musician/ | url-status=dead }}

Discography

=Albums=

{{Discography list

| Type = Studio

| Name = Amakondeere

| Other info =

| from Album =

| Released = 2016

| Format = CD

| Label =

| Writer = Giovanni Kiyingi

| Writers =

| Producer =

| Director =

| Chart position =

| Sales =

| Certification =

| Tracks =

| Bonus tracks = 2

| Singles = Nkwesuunga, Amakondeere

}}

{{Discography list

| Type = Studio

| Name = Joy of an African (Esanyu Ly'omufilika)

| Other info =

| from Album =

| Released = 2010

| Format = CD

| Label =

| Writer = Giovanni Kiyingi

| Writers =

| Producer = Jude Mugerwa

| Director = Giovanni Kiyingi

| Chart position =

| Sales =

| Certification =

| Tracks = Joy of an African(Esanyu ly'omufilika), Ssegamwenge,Asante, Omwana W'afilika, Ekyaalo Mpala, Ekibbobo, Kanyimbe, Omukisa Omulala, Omumuli, Naasiwa Mukange

| Bonus tracks = 2

| Singles = Joy of an African(Esanyu ly'omufilika), Omwana W'afilika

}}

Live performances

Kiyingi has performed at music festivals around the world alongside performers like Tanzania's Alikiba at the 2016 Blankets and Wine festival,{{cite web | title=Alikiba: It would be pleasure to work with a Ugandan artiste | url=http://www.newvision.co.ug/new_vision/news/1442129/alikiba-pleasure-ugandan-artiste | website=New Vision | last=Odeke | first=Stephen | date=15 December 2016 | accessdate=15 December 2016}}{{cite web | title=An Alikiba affair at Blankets & Wine Kampala | url=http://www.newvision.co.ug/new_vision/news/1442421/alikiba-affair-blankets-wine-kampala | website=New Vision | date=20 December 2016 | accessdate=20 December 2016}} Kora Awards winner Suzan Kerunen, multiple award winner Maurice Kirya, Myco Ouma, Jemimah Sanyu,Jude Mugerwa, Kinobe Herbert at the Pearl Rhythm Festival 2012, Okello Lawrence and Joel Sebunjo at DOADOA 2014, Brian Mugenyi at the Utam Festival in Kenya in 2015, the father of ethno jazz Mulatu Astatke at Jazz Village Ethiopia, Harry Lwanga, Ssali Muserebende, Kenya's Makadem,{{cite web | title=Rooftop Sundowner with Makadem (KE) ft Giovanni (UG) | url=http://www.hangout.co.ke/rooftop-sundowner-with-makadem-ke-ft-giovanni-ug/ | website=hangout.co.ke | publisher=hangout.co.ke | accessdate=16 May 2017 | archive-date=20 February 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160220121006/http://www.hangout.co.ke/rooftop-sundowner-with-makadem-ke-ft-giovanni-ug/ | url-status=dead }} Afrigo Band, and Sarabi band.

He has performed at festivals such as the Bayimba International Festival, Pearl Rhythm Festival, the Milege World Music Festival,{{cite news | title=Milege festival turns chilly Entebbe warm | url=http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Entertainment/Milege-festival-turns-chilly-Entebbe-warm/-/812796/2538806/-/9juo0m/-/index.html | accessdate=29 November 2014 | agency=Monitor Publications Ltd, Uganda | publisher=Daily Monitor Ug}} Santuri Safari Projects,{{cite web|title=Giovanni Kremer Kiyingi:Follow Giovanni on his channels|url=http://www.santurisafari.org/?cpt_artist=giovanni-kremer-kiyingi|website=Santuri Safari}} the Kenyatta University Cultural Exchange, DOADOA,{{cite web | title=Rwandan artistes for Doadoa festival next month | url=http://www.newtimes.co.rw/section/article/2017-04-19/210949/ | website=The New Times | accessdate=17 April 2017}}{{cite web | title=East African DJ Collective Santuri Safari's Uganda Exclusives | url=http://www.okayafrica.com/news/santuri-safari-east-african-dj-collective-uganda-exclusives/ | website=okayafrica.com | publisher=Okay Africa | accessdate=20 August 2015 | archive-date=6 June 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170606003530/http://www.okayafrica.com/news/santuri-safari-east-african-dj-collective-uganda-exclusives/ | url-status=dead }} the Irimba Cultural Festival in Arusha, Tanzania, headlined at the Utam Festival – Kenya in 2015, Laba Festival of the Arts in 2016,{{cite web|title=Uganda: Giovanni Restores Hope for Local Folklore Music|url=http://allafrica.com/stories/201606150670.html|website=All Africa|accessdate=15 June 2016}}{{cite web|title=Acts that stood out at LaBa 2016|url=http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Reviews/Acts-that-stood-out-at-LaBa-2016/691232-3254322-qv5mms/index.html|website=Daily Monitor|accessdate=18 June 2016}}{{cite web|title=MUSICIANS 2016|url=https://labaartsfestival.wordpress.com/musicians-2016-2/|website=Laba Festival Blog}} the African Jazz Village, and the Sondeka Festival in Kenya.{{cite news | title=Night of fun and explosive talent at the Sondeka festival: PHOTOS | url=http://www.nation.co.ke/lifestyle/artculture/Night-of-fun-and--explosive-talent-at-the-Sondeka-festival/-/1954194/2867870/-/1116nlez/-/index.html | accessdate=12 September 2015 | agency=Nation Media Kenya | publisher=Nation Media Kenya}}{{cite web|title=Giovanni Kiyingi to showcase his multi-instrumentalist skills at the 14th Edition of Blankets and Wine|url=http://proggie.ug/giovanni-kiyingi-to-showcase-his-multi-instrumentalist-skills-at-the-14th-edition-of-blankets-and-wine/|website=Proggie Ug|accessdate=13 September 2016}}

He performed at the Blankets and Wine Festival in September 2016 at Lugogo alongside South Africa's Mafikizolo.{{cite web | title=Nigerian comedian Basketmouth in Kampala | url=http://www.newvision.co.ug/new_vision/news/1436385/blankets-rain-women | website=New Vision | accessdate=28 September 2016}}{{cite web | title=Blankets & Wine: Giovanni Kiyingi To Showcase His Multi-Instrumentalist Skills | url=http://oops.ug/2016/09/08/blankets-wine-giovanni-kiyingi-showcase-multi-instrumentalist-skills/ | website=oops.ug | accessdate=8 September 2016 | archive-date=18 September 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160918052239/http://oops.ug/2016/09/08/blankets-wine-giovanni-kiyingi-showcase-multi-instrumentalist-skills/ | url-status=dead }}{{cite web | title=Giovani kiyingi is set for a concert | url=http://ugcelebrity.com/2016/08/31/giovani-kiyingi-set-concert/ | website=Ug Celebrity | accessdate=9 September 2016 | archive-date=18 February 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170218082831/http://ugcelebrity.com/2016/08/31/giovani-kiyingi-set-concert/ | url-status=dead }}

Giovanni performed with Ssewa Ssewa at 2017 World Music Day at the French school in Kampala, collaborating on each other's original songs.