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Joel Sebunjo the folk musician
Though born in the contemporary era, he inherits an ancient art whose foundation was laid by the Ganda ancestors. He went into apprenticeship under his God given Grandfather, Busulwa Katambula, a renown folk musician, poet and Arts master at Makerere College School, Kampala. He actually discovered the Folk in young Joel. He drilled him thoroughly alongside Kayizzi Arthur Collins, A Ugandan based performing Artist. He begun folk music as a young boy at the age of 12. When he was about 16, Mr. Busulwa introduced to his colleagues Dr. Albert Sempeke and his brother Ludoviko Serwanga who are some of the few surviving ancient Ganda court musicians and pre-colonial history narrators; from these two he learnt new material which enhanced what his granny had taught him. Also instrumental in this young lad's apprenticing were Balikowa Centurio and many others. Sebunjo has performed with Akadinda K'Africa cultural troupe, Nkwanzi performers, Trio Africa, Abarere Foundation, Endongo Ethnic quartet and currently he is part of the Dynamic Peace African Youth Ensemble. Sebunjo has appeared at the FDF Julsoe-sletten 2001, Uganda National Secondary Schools Festival, Makerere University Cultural Music Gala as well as the MAPA Festival - Uganda.
"You know the road to success as a musician is not that friendly, it has got hills and valleys hence one needs support and guidance to reach his destination. I therefore thank Rev. Evatt Mugarura of the Balm in Gilead-USA, Mr. Dantes Kashangirwe - National secretary Boys Brigade of Uganda, Matthew Smith and Gareth Harrison - Boys Brigade UK, Martin Vanderspek - Spek Tours Canada, Makerere College School Arts society, Albert Bisaso - Abarere Foundation and all those who love Folk music long live!" One of his visions is to take Ugandan folk music to another level: He has embarked on a fusion project where he will merge African instruments with those of other parts of the world. He is inspired by a big lot of West African musicians like Salif keita, Mamadou Diabate, Yossou N'dour, Habib Koite, to mention but a few. But remember, "east or west, home is best", at home Percussion Discussion Africa drives him and the unnoticed king of Ugandan fusion Samite Mulondo based in the US. You realize that the journey through music can't be a solitary venture, hence he appreciates the services of his brothers Ouma Michael - a renown guitarist from Uganda, Ampeire Gideon - a US based Zither (nanga) player and all his friends, colleagues and fans visit |
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Born
on 20th August 1984 in Kampala, Uganda, Sebunjo Joel is in the
140 th lineage of the mamba generation and has studied and
performed Ganda music since the age of six. He comes from the
Buganda kingdom whose history dates back as far as the 17th
century. To date, it is one of the strongest Kingdoms in the
Great lakes region. Sebunjo hails from the mad fish clan which
has been the largest since time immemorial. On the whole he's a
singer, folklorist and instrumentalist; He is a dynamic endongo
(8 stringed ganda lyre) and endere(4 hole bamboo ganda flute)
player. He also plays the 12 slab Amadinda (similar to the
balofon though it has no gourds), which he learned with his
grandfather and other master Gandas of Buganda.
He
is well acquainted with a variety of Ganda art forms but in
addition to them he has gone along to exploit the music of other
ugandan cultures. He is proud to have friends and mentors all
over the world that have assisted him in his endeavors.