General
Source: The Observer
There was no fuss getting into Sheraton Kampala hotel's Lion's bar on Friday evening as a new all-girl band opened shop.
Sifa Kelele, the latest addition to the growing list of Kampala bands, comes with a unique aspect to further bridge the gap of male dominance over live music. Sifa Kelele is Kiswahili for "praise noise", and as the name suggests, the band has its roots in church - Watoto Church - where Mary Ssebunnya, the band leader, used to perform with the worship team.
Ever since she joined Rainbow International School as a teacher, Ssebunnya's dream has been to put together an all-female band dedicated to lyrics that speak to people's souls. The band has been around for the last 19 months, performing at weddings, birthday parties and dinners, but had never put its works on a big stage. After a one-hour delay, once the small bar fitted with white plastic chairs filled up, the crowd was ready to taste and toast to the band.
At 8:30pm, the emcee, Sanyu FM's Halima, introduced the band. The girls were ushered onto the stage by male b-boy dancers. Each girl was given time to shine on their respective instruments, and it was evident despite the initial problems with the sound output that there is room for growth. Dressed in white, Dina Oundo, younger sister to renowned guitarist Myko Ouma, was on the bass guitar. Her height, stunning beauty, stage confidence and guitar skill are amazing.
Dina occasionally exchanged portfolio with Kathy Mirembe on the electric guitar, which also occasionally called for the services of Pauline, a male Congolese guitarist. On the keyboards was Damalie Kalanzi, occasionally assisted by Phillip Muzahura. The others were Ssebunnya on acoustic guitar, Alison Nadunga on the violin and Maureen Mutambigwa on the saxophone.
The band started off on a low key with I Will Never Give Up, before Bazza, wearing a gomesi chipped in with a poem, Maama Nabbanja. But if it were not for Mutambigwa, I wonder if I would have lent Bazza my ear. Mutambigwa is the best kept secret that will soon begin to eat the surface of people like Isaiah Katumwa. But it was Ife Piankhi that breathed life into the show with her energetic performance that set the mood for Qwela band's Anita Asiimwe to bring home a typical feel of Bakisimba with Nnaalinya Guma, which charged up the audience.
Ten-year-old MC Flower's phenomenal rap on this song left guests demanding for more and she responded by giving them a flawless freestyle. During a brief interlude, Ouma with his sister Dina took over the stage, with Ouma on the acoustic guitar looking like he was initiating a talk to which Dina softly responded on the Adungu (the African harp). Ouma then wowed guests solo with his unlimited possibilities with the acoustic guitar.
The band returned in black t-shirts backing Irene Ntale, who took this sweet moment to another level. The former lead singer of Uneven band, now on a solo career, melted the audience's hearts with her single, Politics. I rarely enjoy musicians that 'abuse' the acoustic guitar by just rubbing their hands over it, but Ntale's unique sound that comes off her palm hitting the strings is captivating.
The band was then left alone to drive their show, with songs such as Adululuye getting fans to their feet. Grace Agumisiriza is a vocalist to watch out for. She has that strong soothing voice and yet possesses a stage calmness that you don't often see.