NDIO SASA

NDIO SASA are a truly unique international performing group based in Nairobi, Kenya, comprising members and instrumentation from Kenya, the United States and Japan. NDIO SASA blends East African percussion and Luo folks melodies, Japanese shamisen music and American clawhammer style banjo to create a unique and exciting sound.

NDIO SASA have played many venues in Nairobi and the United States, bringing the unique blend of international influences to audiences everywhere. Formed in 2016, friends Pete Larson and Colin Crowley would get together on Friday nights to record songs, which eventually led to the addition of many more musicians, which led to shows and recordings and an international fan base.

Pete Larson, a musician from the US and a long time resident of Kenya, is now one of a small handful of non-Kenyan nyatiti players, the eight stringed lyre of the Luo people of Western Kenyan. Boaz Jagingo is a renowned ohangla singer and orutu player, best known for his work in Kenge Kenge Orutu System from Kenya. Kaboge Chagala is a fixture on the Nairobi music scene and one of the finest percussionists in Kenya. Reuben Besa is ubiquitous throughout the stages of Nairobi, lending his bass skills to just about every band around. Tomo Tsukara, longtime resident of Nairobi, plays percussion and originally hails from Japan.

NDIO SASA have two recordings available on CD, “Yes…. Now” and “All We Have is Our Friends and Our Songs” both available on Dagoretti Records, a Kenya/US based music label. Forthcoming is a CD/LP featuring a collaboration between US bass player Dave Sharp and NDIO SASA, coming in August of 2019.