Ogada’s sophomore

By CAROLINE NYANGA

Pioneer artiste Ayub Ogada is determined to succeed. The artiste, who was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Score after his composition Kothbiro (Luo for ‘rain is coming’) appeared on The Constant Gardener soundtrack, has a new album due in 2013.

The musician, who has also dabbled in acting (he appeared in 1985’s Oscar-winning Out of Africa) returned to Kenya after a long spell in London where he performed as part of the London 2012 celebrations.

“I am generally slow, especially when it comes to music. However, I like it that way and I always go by the famous Swahili saying, ‘haraka haraka haina baraka’ (more haste, less speed),” he notes.

According to him, working on his new album has been exciting and adventurous, as most of the songs have been recorded outdoor in his portable studio. 

“I’ve also worked with various musicians including Isaac Gem from Western Kenya and Trevor Warren, an English musician. I might still add another collaboration before the release.”

Just what is his secret to writing songs that appeal to the global world of films?

“I am not sure why many love or choose my music but my approach is simplicity. If I have to play music along programmed computers then it’s not music,” he says.

NYATITI LOVE

Ogada is fond of the traditional Luo instrument nyatiti, saying he has been ‘married’ to it for 24 years now. At first he admits he found it limiting because he wanted more notes and harmonics than it could offer. Slowly, he fell in love with its build and simple rhythmic sequences.

“I remember my grandmother warning me when I first got it: ‘she’s going to take over your life!’ And true, I can play the piano, horns, trumpets and guitars, but my life only revolves around the nyatiti, ” he adds, a sparkle in his eyes.

Ogada and his nyatiti have been to many corners of this world but he recalls Canada’s Waterfront Music Festival as his most memorable because he met the famed guitarist Ry Cooder waiting for him backstage to congratulate and invite him to his yacht— all thanks to his nyatiti. 

Though vastly experienced, the father of one still finds it hard to balance family life and a career in music, admitting that there is a lot of pressure in this industry, and especially for those who have lived in various countries. Having been based in the UK for over two decades, he opines that he is at a point of growth and this is the main inspiration behind his new album, which will most probably be titled Kodhi (Luo for ‘seed’). 

After co-founding the pioneer bands African Heritage and Black Savage, Ogada left Kenya for greener pastures abroad.

“I left Kenya in search of musicians of like minds, something I missed locally. I wanted to learn from great percussionists, especially West African. And at the time (in the late 80s), a flight to West Africa would have to first pass through the UK.

Instead, he decided to settle there as many percussionists were already based there and learnt all he could, even getting discovered by Real World Records in the process.

 A global platform allowed the musician to work with world stars including Mari Boine, Baaba Maal, Angélique Kidjo and Hugh Masekela.

PIONEER BAND

Born in Mombasa, Ogada remembers touring the college circuit in the United States as a six-year-old with his parents before they returned to Kenya. He was educated in a Catholic day school before joining a boarding school.

After finishing school, he co-founded the African Heritage Band in 1979 and played kit drums, bass and percussion for many years.

The group fused traditional music with rock and soul that was played on radio more often. An accomplished djembe player, Ogada left for the United Kingdom in 1986, taking his music with him and played on the streets for money.

He was then approached and asked to play at Peter Gabriel’s festival.

In 1993, he recorded his first album, En Mana Kuoyo (It’s just sand), on Peter Gabriel’s Real World label. This gave him a chance to tour the world.

Between 1997 and 2000, he worked on a project with Mari Boine band Roger Ludvigsen, Gjermund Silset and Helge A as well as several live concerts and released some recordings.