Crucial crooner

Kenya’s finest pianist will launch his new songs, which are part of his upcoming album on Thursday next week. In a festival dubbed All that Jazz, Aaron ‘Krucial Keys’ Rimbui will headline the festival alongside other artistes at the National Museum.

Being a premier Jazz Festival, Rimbui says it is an opportunity for jazz artistes to do many concerts.

"In Kenya, people just organise gigs and performances but not necessarily concerts where patrons, music lovers just sit and listen to music. All That Jazz is one such concert. This is going to be a premier music brand throughout the year with various concerts under this title," says the musician.

"I will perform contemporary jazz with various African influences. C’est la Vie, which Eric Wanaina made tremendous input, is very popular. I also have Benin, Alfajiri and various high tempo songs that people appreciate," adds Rimbui who was brought up together with two other siblings. His younger brother Tim Rimbui, nicknamed ‘The Innovator’, is an accomplished music producer who has recorded music for Kenya’s top artistes like Wyre, Nameless, Amani, Susan Kibukosia and Joy Mboya.

Having been passionate about music since childhood, Aaron says the realisation of All that Jazz is definitely a major highlight in his career.

Man of faith

"The concept took a couple of months to develop. However, it has been ‘cooking’ in my mind for as long as I’ve been in this industry, eleven years to be precise," he says adding: "I have been longing to be on stage for such concerts. It is great that we can do it now."

Rimbui attended Lavington Primary School then proceeded for his secondary education at the Nairobi School.

Aaron says his experience after surviving a horrific accident in his childhood led him to believe and find solace in God.

Just after primary school, a neighbour had accidentally left a gas cylinder on and a serious explosion occurred, which left Aaron with second-degree burns. For the next two years, he was in and out of medical institutions seeking specialised treatment for his burns. It was then that he became a saved Christian.

Never the one to give up, Aaron says his dream is about to be fulfilled as he prepares for his biggest concert of his life.

"It will be different from the rest because this time around, we want to be more appreciative and intimate with our audience," he says, adding that he will give a flat screen TV, a weekend getaway to Zanzibar, phones and autographed CD’s to lucky fans who will attend the festival.

"It makes it more interactive and increases the value of the entire experience. In every upcoming concert, we will give out fabulous gifts to fans just for showing up," he insists.

Having gained fame as a jazz pianist, Aaron plans to widen the scope of his music beyond the usual jazz.

"I find jazz as a kind style that can be applied to other genres that I enjoy. We like to call it fusion. My records are examples of this range that goes beyond jazz. My first album, Keys of Life (2005), can best be described as smooth jazz fused with some African music. My second album Alfajiri (2009) has more improvisation with these African music tunes. As an African, my music and my jazz will always have African infusions. That’s what makes it enjoyable, beautiful, special and even different," he says.

With his fans’ tastes and preferences in mind, Aaron says: "I call it a symbiotic relationship between my music and the lovers of it. I feed from them and they feed from it. I like to make music that they will enjoy and they enjoy the music that I make. I can’t tell where their preferences begin and where mine end." Aaron’s first album, which featured popular musicians Eric Wainaina and Mercy Myra, was one of the exceptional albums of 2005. Aaron horned his music production skills while working as an intern at Bruce Odhiambo’s Johari Clef Studio.

Powerful concept

Rimbui together with Kanji Mbugua conceptualised the idea of forming a record label dealing with contemporary African music. Kijiji Records was then born and they signed up Hellon and Dan Aceda. The concept became powerful and influential in the gospel music circles. Kijiji Records has produced music for many top artistes including Eric Wainaina, Joseph Hellon (the region’s first ever saxophone album) Kanji Mbugua, Valerie Kimani, Atemi Oyungu and Dan ‘Chizi’ Aceda among others. Rimbui is also a worship team member at the Nairobi Chapel.

Two times Kisima Award winner, Dan ‘Chizi’, describes Aaron as one of the most professional songwriter and music producer he has ever worked with.

"The discipline, dedication and the passion in him is unbelievable. He ignites you with passion whenever you are working on a project with him," says the musician whose award-winning album, Suluwe, was co-produced by Aaron in 2005.

Recently, when Jazz musician Bobby Ricketts performed in the country, Aaron was his pianist. The star, after the concert, showered praise on Aaron saying: "Aaron Rimbui is one of the best pianists in the world. Compared with the ones I have had the honour to work with or watch them perform, Aaron is good. He can go to any part of the world and make a living by playing the piano."

Last year, Aaron wrote and produced the music for BBC’s TingaTinga Tales series.

"All That Jazz is a concept we intend to maintain through out the year and hope to let it grow beyond city and country’s boarders. There will be some guest musicians performing with us. It is going to be immensely enjoyable," Aaron says.

"I’ve been learning about patience. Putting up concerts is a brave thing to do as my manager and I have discovered. We hardly have a concert culture or a jazz music culture. We have of late been warming up to live performances. However, we love this music so much and believe in it that we have no choice but to share it with all those who enjoy jazz and those who would like to," he concludes.