Janzi Band

Janzi is a Luganda word that means grasshopper, which according to the founders Ssewa Ssewa and friends Abraham Sekasi, Jackson Kirya and Steven Oundo,{{cite web|title=Janzi Band changing the shape of band music in Uganda|url=http://www.viewuganda.ug/view-uganda-blog/19-lifestyle/99-janzi-band-changing-the-shape-of-band-music-in-uganda|website=The View Uganda|access-date=8 December 2016|archive-date=19 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170819235520/http://www.viewuganda.ug/view-uganda-blog/19-lifestyle/99-janzi-band-changing-the-shape-of-band-music-in-uganda|url-status=dead}} 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.{{cite web|title=Overview & Features|url=http://thepearlguide.co.ug/things-to-do/janzi/|website=The Pearl Guide|access-date=2017-06-02|archive-date=2017-08-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170819234119/http://thepearlguide.co.ug/things-to-do/janzi/|url-status=dead}}

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.{{cite web|title=UGANDA: Janzi Band fills Thursday gig slot|url=http://mdundo.com/news/7673|website=Mdundo|access-date=2 March 2016}}{{cite web|title=Janzi Band to launch Band Night at Diners Lounge|url=http://www.redpepper.co.ug/janzi-band-to-launch-band-night-at-diners-lounge/|website=Red Pepper|date=25 November 2015 }}{{cite web|title=Janzi band to headline annual Rotary celebration of women meet at Sheraton Hotel|url=http://matookerepublic.com/2017/03/03/janzi-band-to-headline-annual-rotary-celebration-of-women-meet-at-sheraton-hotel/|website=Matooke Republic|date=3 March 2017 |access-date=3 March 2017}} 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|date=April 2019}}

In 2016, they headlined the Tokosa Food Festival with Ugandan musician Lilian Mbabazi,{{cite web|title=Lilian And Janzi Band To Headline This Year's Tokosa Food Festival|url=http://chano8.com/lilian-and-janzi-band-to-headline-this-years-tokosa-food-festival/|website=Chano 8|date=25 March 2016|access-date=25 March 2016|archive-date=21 July 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160721055212/http://chano8.com/lilian-and-janzi-band-to-headline-this-years-tokosa-food-festival/|url-status=dead}} and in the same year collaborated with A Pass at the Chronixx Show.{{cite web|title=Video: A Pass rehearses with Janzi Band ahead of Chronixx Show tomorrow|url=http://bigeye.ug/video-pass-rehearses-janzi-band-chronixx-show-tomorrow/|website=Big Eye|date=16 June 2016 |access-date=16 June 2016}}

{{as of|April 2019}}, 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.

{{as of|April 2019}} the band has nine members:{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/pg/JanziMusicUganda/about/?ref=page_internal|website=Facebook|title=Janzi Music: About|access-date=19 April 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190419064718/https://www.facebook.com/JanziMusicUganda/about/?ref=page_internal|archive-date=19 April 2019}}

• 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)

{{columns-list|colwidth=22em|

• Jemimah Sanyu
• Jackie Akello
• Jacinta {{cite web|title=Jacinta quits Janzi band|url=http://matookerepublic.com/2016/07/14/jacinta-quits-janzi-band/|website=Matooke Republic|access-date=4 July 2016}}
• Brian Gideon (lead vocalist and guitarist)
• Jackson Kirya
• Steven Oundo
• Joshua Maggwa
• Hazel Granger
• Buko Bright
• Claudia Namazzi
• Brenda Birungi

}}

{{Infobox album

| italic_title = no

| name = Eka

| type = studio

| artist = Janzi Band

| cover =

| border = yes

| alt =

| released = {{start date|2017|05|07}}

| recorded =

| venue =

| studio =

| genre = World, Folk music

| length = {{Duration|m=37|s=21}}

| label = Janzi Music

| producer = {{collapsible list|title=Various|hlist=true|Janzi Band }}

| prev_title =

| prev_year =

| next_title = TBA

| next_year =

| misc = {{Extra album cover

| header = Alternative cover

| type = studio

| cover =

| border = yes

| alt =

| caption =

}}

{{Singles

| name = Eka

| type =

| single1 = Afrika

| single1date =

}}

}}

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.{{cite web|title=Eka by Janzi on itunes|url=https://itunes.apple.com/album/id1234629479?ls=1&app=itunes|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171121105543/https://itunes.apple.com/album/id1234629479?ls=1&app=itunes|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 21, 2017|website=itunes}}

{{Track listing

| headline = Track Listing

| collapsed =

| extra_column = Label

| title1 = Eka

| writer1 = Janzi

| extra1 = Janzi Music

| length1 = 3.20

| title2 = Afrika

| writer2 = Janzi

| extra2 = Janzi Music

| length2 = 3:16

| title3 = Just a Dream

| writer3 =Janzi

| extra3 = Janzi Music

| length3 = 3:55

| title4 = Ngaali

| writer4 = Janzi

| extra4 = Janzi Music

| length4 = 4.19

| title5 = Njabala

| writer5 = Janzi

| extra5 = Janzi Music

| length5 = 5.30

| title6 = Omwana Wabantu

| writer6 = Janzi

| extra6 = Janzi Music

| length6 = 4.29

| title7 = River Road

| writer7 = Janzi

| extra7 = Janzi Music

| length7 = 4.22

| title8 =Zimbabwe

| writer8 = Janzi

| extra8 = Janzi Music

| length8 = 4.56

| title9 = Ekili

| writer9 = Janzi

| extra9 = Janzi Music

| length9 = 4.24

}}

• List of Ugandan musicians

{{reflist|30em}}

{{Facebook|JanziMusicUganda}}

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Category:Ugandan world music groups

Category:Ugandan musical groups

Category:Musical groups established in 2009

Category:Musical quintets

Category:Indie folk groups