Lo, Ssebunjo to marry two musical worlds

Yet there are similarities, many of which shall be expected to come alive at the show slated for Friday. It has been said before that Ssebunjo sounds more West African than Ugandan but it is probably because of the deftness of his fingers on the different instruments, a skill that is seen in many West African musicians.

Ssebunjo is one of the premier acts on the World Music calendar in Uganda. Every January, he has been doing the ‘Diplomat’s Tour,’ a theme event where he invites his fans to share what he has been cooking. He has been holding the event for the last three years.

“But after you feel you have mastered your craft as an artiste, it’s good to move out of the comfort zone and take your game to the next level of professionalism,” he says explaining the new notch in the belt that is the Ismail Lo show. “Ismael Lo is not any other ordinary-average artiste, he is one of the best Africa has produced.”

And according to him, there is enough history between them for him to pull this stunt. It would be seen as a stunt because not every budding musician is going to up and get the Senegalese.

“I have known Ismael Lo since 2003, his music played a lot on Ugandan radio at that time, especially his hit Dibi Dibi Rek. When I first met him, I was very young and he was doing his East African tour. After that we met here and there when I toured in Europe and West Africa. We have kept in touch since then.”

But who is this Ssebunjo? He leads a musical project named Sundiata. The project, or band, has travelled widely, taking the gospel of their brand of music to all those who would listen. He has sold Uganda in different cities: from Amsterdam to Zanzibar; Djibouti to Moscow.

Sundiata play a variety of instruments including the Ndongo (the eight stringed lyre from Buganda), the madinda (the xylophone), the ndere (flute), the ngalabi (long drum from Buganda).

The group was started by Ronald Kibirige, Joel Sebunjo and Israel Nsereko and it morphed into Sundiata from what was called the Peace Africa Youth Ensemble.

“I started doing folk music way back in primary school,” Sebunjo says. “Back then, we had a fierce rivalry with Buganda Road Primary School.” This competitiveness grew and was turned into the present prowess of the young multi-instrumentalist.

It has, however, been argued that world musicians like him have little connection with the Ugandan audience. The artistes argue back that the local audience has rejected them and chosen to listen to western music. It is not disputed though that many are crafting their products for a western market. It becomes unclear then how they can champion the history and music of a people they are increasingly alienated from.

This is not the first time the Senegalese master is coming to Uganda. He was here in 2004. Back then he performed at Hotel Africana on June 2 to rapturous applause and favourable reviews.

AMG’s Sandra Brennan says of the artiste on his myspace page: “Senegalese guitarist, harmonica player and singer Ismael Lo is a rising star of world music. With his smooth multi-textured voice and low-key folky style, he and his 12-piece band play strong, complex, percussion-laden mbalax songs that discuss important topics in Senegal ranging from racism and respect to immigration.”

According to his website, Ismael Lo was born into a Muslim family in Rufisque, Senegal, the son of a Senegalese father and Nigerian mother.

His first few years were spent in Niger. His father had two wives and between them they had 18 children. Lo is the only one who became a musician. He was interested in music from an early age and got his start playing a homemade one-string guitar.

Early American influences on his music included Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett and Etta James, and he learned their songs by listening to the radio. At first he only played for the joy of it and never considered performing, but then an older brother, who owned a club, asked him to play on a local television show.

Lo said no the first time, and continued to study decorating and painting at a trade school, but a few months later he reconsidered and appeared on the show. He was an instant hit and this inspired him to think about performing full-time. In 1979, a singer/songwriter invited him to play in a band, called Super Diamond, a super group that played mbalax-blues. Lo, with his talent for guitar playing and song writing, quickly established himself as a key figure in the band and soon became the second lead singer, backup singer and rhythm guitarist.

Ssebunjo has recorded two albums released under the World Music Store. Other Ugandans who have had the privilege include Herbert Kinobe, the Abayudaya, James Makubuya, Geoffrey Oryema and Ndere Troupe.

Since 2007, he has performed in a couple of major auditorium productions like I Speak Luganda and New Ancient Strings at the National Theatre.

It is expected that when Lo is in town, the two will team to raise funds for the charity Katalemwa Cheshire Homes. Part of the proceeds from the concert will be used to purchase drugs and medical supplies to treat children with disabilities in Uganda, according to Ssebunjo.

Lo will fly in with his band, so the concert will feature two sets; one by Ssebunjo and his group and then Lo will crown the night.

Joel Ssebunjo and Ismail Lo will perform at the Serena Kampala Hotel on Friday January 27 at 8pm. Tickets: Shs70,000 normal and Shs1.5m for corporate tables.

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