Nairobi Horns Project eager for Joy of Jazz performance

The band's appearance at arguably South Africa's biggest jazz festival was facilitated through a partnership with Safaricom International Jazz Festival (SIJF) as part of an artist exchange programme between the two countries.

In South Africa, NHP will feature the band's original members, Mackinlay Mutsembi (trumpet), Rabai Mokua (sax) and Victor Kinama (trombone). The three will be joined by Amani Baya (drums), George Nyoro (keys), Jack Muguna (guitar), Moise Basinza (bass) and Kasiva Mutua, the world-renowned percussionist who we interviewed recently.

Music In Africa spoke to NHP bandleader Mutsembi about their expectations at JOJ and the band's progression since its formation in late 2016.

MUSIC IN AFRICA: How do you feel about making a debut at this year’s Standard Bank Joy of Jazz?

MACKINLAY MUTSEMBI: We are thrilled to be part of this year’s edition. It is an acclaimed stage to share the NHP vibe with the people of South Africa and the continent. We are proud to fly the Kenyan flag yet again and join other Kenyan artists such as Eric Wainaina and Valerie Kimani who have graced this stage before us.

We are also super grateful to Safaricom and the SIJF who made this performance festival possible. The SIJF was the very first platform we played on and has offered us a great audience all through. Now with these new connections, new bridges are opening up for international and regional artists to play in Kenya and for local artists to play outside the country.

In what ways has playing at the SIJF influenced you as artists?

The SIJF has been an incredible stage for us to meet with other like-minded musicians, such as SA’s Africa Plus, who yearn to share their music,. It was through such interaction at the festival that birthed the project Afrika Unite. A series of one-of-a-kind musical experiences were unveiled for the people to enjoy.

What was it like collaborating with Africa Plus?

For the last two years we have always done an international collaboration with other artists. Last year it was with a British jazz clarinettist [Arun Ghosh] and this year we hosted Africa Plus. What really stood out is that African music is such a universal language. There was so much similarity in melodies from SA and those from Kenya. We also created many meaningful relationships, which artists need.

How have you evolved as a group since you first started out two years ago?

We started out as friends. A lot has changed but a lot has stayed the same too [laughs]. At the start, our vision was to have a horn section that could work with everyone; that has not changed as other artists still feature us. Our music and managerial skills have also evolved. We have definitely also been absorbing many influences from around the continent and beyond. As a band, we have learnt how to write music that the Kenyan audience appreciates. Our music style has evolved over the years and many musicians have started blending jazz with more folk tunes to give it a Kenyan feel.

Can you compare Kenya’s jazz scene from the time you started to now?

Kenya has a vibrant music scene that is populated by a wide array of musical genres and styles. The jazz scene by extension is popularly characterised by local bands seeking to emulate popular jazz sub-genres from the Western sphere. However, what we feel has changed, and we might have had something to do with it, is that more jazz bands are now blending jazz with Kenyan and African music, which is great. In addition, bands are now keener to develop artist brands and get the business going.

You mentioned that you also play with regular bands.

Yes. Regular bands are currently playing with horn sections, something that did not happen before. These collaborations have seen us grace more platforms and festivals such as Roots International Jazz Festival, AfroLect Jazz Festival and Koroga Festival, which have helped raise awareness of local acts.  

What has been the best thing about playing jazz for the Kenyan audience?

Kenyans love to dance, without a doubt [laughs]. The Kenyan audience has been super generous with their time and ears and we appreciate all the love we receive out there. We feel they can relate to what we play, which is what we hope always happens when we put new work out.

We recently started doing jazz interpretations of Kenyan classical music and it was well-received. In fact, we are now working to getting this out as a fully fledged project, subject to getting a few things in place next year.

You are currently working on a double album. How is it going?

The album is in the final stages of production. We do not have a title but it has at least eight jams on it. We feel that we present many musical prisms on this record – sounds that we as musicians have collectively absorbed. It's an album with an earthly sound. There is a presentation of Kenyan sounds and influences from other parts of the world. You can be certain that the record has something for everyone.

Earlier this year, Manu Dibango urged young African jazz musicians to create new music by using old genres as inspiration. What are your thoughts on that?

Africa is rich with sounds, influences and rhythms and there is much that remains unexplored. As a band, we work with the sounds that we have grown up listening to on the streets, in our homes, in all spaces. This, we have realised, does help us to have an identity as Africans and also offer so much fodder for new inspiration in creating music every day.

What can you tell your South African fans waiting to watch you live at JOJ?

We are coming in hard and fast but we bring you a lot of love, which we hope to exchange for more love. We are so excited!

Nairobi Horns Project will perform on Saturday night on JOJ's Conga Stage. Tickets for this year's festival are available via the official JOJ website.