Voodoo music

Charles Otieno and Stevens Muendo

The seated and standing audience waited patiently as long lines marked the staircase of Alliance Francaise, Mombasa. Soon the military sound rung the arena as GangbÈ Brass Band took on stage. The 10 band members dressed in bright colours of traditional outfit hit the notes and routine danced with ease. Their sound was distinct and broadly from military brass bands, ritual chants fused with New Orleans jazz sound and a tinge of Fela Kuti’s Afrobeat. Playing hard-hitting yet sweet, soulful music made listeners dance as others nodded their heads to the rhythms. Unlike most West African bands that specialise in Mbalax, Highlife or Afrobeat, Gangbe was more of a jazz standard band.