Singing envoy: Walter Lindner bows out musically

By Cathy Ochung

The annual Kenyan music extravaganza that features the best of funk, soul and jazz takes place next weekend (Saturday) at Kenya National Theatre.

The show will be headlined by jazz star Hellon and the Black Keys, Danger and the Funk Unit, Isaac Mugunda and the New Dimension, Aaron Rimbui Trio and Mystic Fusion. The Cultural Festival of Kenyan Pop Music, Kikwetu, became a trademark in the Kenyan entertainment industry after the great success of Kikwetu I and II which saw over 1,500 guests attend at the Ambassador’s residence.

Walter Lindner

It will be also Ambassador Lindner’s last musical performance on stage in Kenya, having played with many Kenyan musicians for three years.

This time round though, the festival that has in the past two editions ignited much hype and talent from the backyard of a diplomat’s residence will be marked by a moment of gloom at the departure of its founder German Ambassador to Kenya Walter Lindner.

Next level

"I decided to take the festival to where it belongs: To the Kenyans themselves," explains Lindner.

A professional musician by training, Lindner has brilliantly managed to juggle his diplomatic duties while at the same time spending quality time with local musicians regardless of their genres of music. And when not attending to official duties he is always busy in his fully-fledged studio at his residence or playing notes on his the piano.

Beside his towering height and noticeable trademark ponytail, to many a musician his artistic and sociable side will probably linger on long after he leaves his official duties at the end of the year.

But he is clear to point out that all will not be rosy for the festival. "Of course with much support from the embassy it has run successfully but now the ministry of culture will with a bit of luck have to manage it."

His message to the ministry is simply to continue the festival not by financing it but by getting sponsors for the event. Lindner expresses that his departure should not mean the downtrend of the festival he is so compassionate about.

Promote talent

Three years ago when he came to the country to start off his official duties Kikwetu came about after a meeting with local musicians. "I wanted to learn more about Kenyan music and what better way than to meet the musicians themselves. In 2007 the embassy organised the first Kenyan Pop festival The Kikwetu Festival at the ambassador’s residence.

He has produced four albums in his musical career and has done collabos with musicians including Eric Wainiana. He has also had performances with his local band Mystique Fusion, that he plays with during performances. Currently he is working on a CD that features local musicians that should be complete hopefully before he leaves office.

Official duty

Walter set off his music from his native home in Germany as an orchestra player and when he was appointed a Diplomat in New York he was drawn to the music by the likes of Frank Sinatra, Luther Vandross and others. From New York he switched to Salsa in Nicaragua where he was off for yet other official duty and there he played with various salsa bands. For this last festival he promises fans an exciting festival and will even perform a duo with Eric Wainaina.