Orange Moon

Your eyes intertwine with mine
Inside this low and dense vector
Where all i see is high taxation and debt
High cost of living, Corrupt minds and Injustice
Where all that surrounds us is Scars and Pungency
Pain and Uncertainty, Retardedness and Illusion of the eyes

I'm in circles, my mind is in circles,
So many flaws, So much spectre,
Still, we are Masterpieces in the making,
One day these scars will be a triumphant reminder,
That we healed from our open wounds

In the Interwine, Your eyes tell of a story,
A gentle calm in the storm, amidst the rage and the rampage
Taking me through a journey of radiance and aura, tranquil and passion
An exotic atmosphere that sets our heart ablaze
Where you and i meticulously meet and start trouble
A trouble that only the two of us can taste

Meet me at the shores of our Bi-souls
Where all the magic erupts
And the tides obey our chemistry
Where the stars don't cease to shine
And the orange moon speaks to our spirituality
Or is it the Orion's belt, where the constellation hits us like a tornado
And the Universe bows to our ticket to a cosmic sky
I'm an Orange Moon, shining brighter than before
because i reflect the light of the Sun, my Sun.

XX

Spread The Love Tour - Christafari I TuneDem Band

It’s been a two week long Tour with Christafari Band, the world’s most renown Gospel Reggea Musicianaries featuring Avion Blackman from Trinidad and Tobago. Gracing over 70 nations proclaiming the word of God and running Billboard charts all over the United States with their music.

Christafari, like Tunedem Band is a Christian reggae band that was formed in 1990 whose essential goal is to promote Christianity to all people; including Rastafarians. A mission that we both share in as Tunedem Band. A Kenyan Gospel Reggae Band that has been in existence for over a decade. Our vision being to tune our listeners to the word of the God the best way we know how – Gospel Reggae Music.

We were so privileged to host Christafari in sharing the gospel all over East Africa and creating awareness on the two most powerful Gospel Reggae bands alive today. It all started out three years ago with just a message from our visionary Kepha who approached the living legend of gospel reggae music and Evangelist I Defender of the gospel Pastor Mark Mohr, Christafari’s band leader. Talks that would manifest years later on this side of the planet in hosting them three times over.

The Tour kicked off in Rwanda with two main venues, Youth Camp New Life Bible Church and Camp Kigali in Kigali, Rwanda where lives came to the Lord and an ocean of people adorned us with their presence in coming to experience live reggae music.

We later on joined each other in Kampala, Uganda for more ministry in different churches and Children’s homes each manifesting in a way we can’t explain. Our first stop - Mercy children’s home that is run by one of Uganda’s renown Gospel Musicians and Pastors, Mr Wilson Bugembe of Worship House Ministries in Nansana, Kampala Uganda. Interacting, Playing and sharing the gospel with kids who were abandoned at  very young stages of their lives, and others with special needs who were just victims of circumstances. The experience reminded me of scriptures, that “whatever you do to the least of these you do unto me” and our hearts went out to all these people, spreading Gods love the best way we knew how.

We were later on hosted by Mission House Ministries by Pastor Fred Kajumba who heads a school, a home and a church right in the same compound, a man who’s story has touched many and has continually reached out to the destitute in a tremendous ways. Opening up doors for kids who are hungry and need a place to lay their heads, educating them and feeding them spiritually and clothing them with love from all corners. We had a great time here because this is where we slept the one week we were there and got to spend time with the ladies and young men from the ministry. Boy did they feed us well! I’m recovering from a week-long of meat and peanut delicacy’s that came from Wakiso District in Kampala!

Nansana, Kampala Uganda was heaven! We ended our tour there with a concert at Pastor Bugembes church that was a true picture of a city on a hill!  Man, the crowd came out in large numbers to receive the word of God in music late that evening and were blessed because they came. It was an ocean of people and Pst Bugembe got what we call a throw of the century to the crowd to celebrate his birthday! Christafari called it “The Legendary Crowd Surfing”!  Mark Mohr with all his weight wasn’t left behind, he got one just like Pst Bugembe!

 Kenya in its own right also welcomed Christafari in style at the Kamiti Medium Prison with lots of music on stage from some of the inmates and choirs formed inside the prison. Scripture reminds us that “ I was hungry and you gave Me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave Me something to drink, I was a stranger and you took Me in, I was naked and you clothed Me, I was sick and you looked after Me, I was in prison and you visited Me.”

And there was no better way to exercise this than to be right in the prison walls to feel what the inmates feel and share in their day with a touch of feel good reggae music and sharing a meal together with them. Parklands Baptist Church made all this possible by organizing this with the Kenyan Government and going ahead to host Christafari. Late Saturday evening we rocked Parklands Baptist in song and chant! A feeling that is always so surreal.

The city does us good, but not as good as the countryside, early Sunday morning we headed straight to Awana, Maasai Land, Kajiado County, where we were joined by fellow Maasai Christians and non Christians to worship. With Both Men and Women doing their thing - daaance! The ladies looked exceptionally beautiful with their their large neck jewelry, folkloric tailored clothing that were strikingly decorated and gracious moving of their necks and shoulders and the men jumping tall high, reaching the heavens! Having touches of the wild by sleeping in tents and being able to hear wildlife move around at night! You need guts to do this!

The tour wouldn’t be complete without doing some roots reggae in the sluuum! Kibera Slums! Where most of Tunedem’s Band members grew up. A place where most people dread going because of insecurity and dirt, poor living conditions and extreme abject poverty. This tour was dubbed – Spread the Love concert and this depicted majorly in Kibera where the gospel was preached and clothing was given to some of the less fortunate amongst the crowd. This turned out to be one of the most high energy and most engaging performances given by our duo. There was so much joy and enthusiasm aerating from each corner and the crowd responded in a way that was unexplainable with lives coming to Christ and fellow musicians from the slum joining us on stage! It was truly something!

This entire tour ends with the breaking of bread led by Pst Mark Mohr who reminds us how communion is where the Lord dwells,  not forgetting it is by Jesus’ stripes that we find our healing. Remembering why we do what we do and who paid such a heavy price for us on the cross,paving way for people like us to reach out to the lost.

One thing stands out from each of us, the love and passion for missions, our flexibility and drive during difficult times in our ministry’s and forever defending the gospel at all costs. Remembering Paul’s letter,  “that he who began a good work in us will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus”.  We had fun with these guys and pray for even greater tours together outside East Africa's corners. 

Christafari heads out to Europe as of yesterday night for yet another tour. Lets join them in prayer as they spread the love of Christ to everyone who hears the sound of their voice. Check out their website for more  www.christafari.com

Details on Tunedem Shows and Tours also coming soon!

Follow us on Youtube – TunedemBand Ke

Instagram @tunedem_band

Twitter @@TuneDemBand

Thanks for Reading XX

Now What!

Today my day started on a high, got to spend time with family over the weekend, and even got to see my little nieces and nephew and our cute little dog back home. Moments that can never be taken for granted.

Got to work psyched and had to start my day with my favorite quotes from good reads, the one on there today read, “When you have confidence, you can have a lot of fun. And when you have fun, you can do amazing things.” What a good way to kick start your day, after a super crazy and fun weekend with family.

The craziest thing happened immediately after, my bubble got busted. As soon as good reads, my computer couldn’t start. Tried shutting it open a couple of times and ended up rebooting it 100 times over. What a BUMMER! After all that excitement and jovial eruption and now this! Had to meet as many deadlines and all I could think about was my boss being on my case immediately he entered the office. Who was I to wait? Had to look for an IT guy ASAP. All my documents, my files, my music, my blogs, books! And my pictures! If there’s one thing I treasure, moments, taken on camera. Can never be taken back. Didn’t want to believe they were gone. So in the meantime had to pretend and act not disturbed and mad and gloomy. IT Guy, IT guy..

I have two machines so luckily I could work from this other one. But still, everything else was on there. At some point I heard me speak to myself, you have control over your mind, you have control over your mind, you have control over your mind and was prompted to turn all my misery and gloom into something productive. It was only 8AM anyways. I mean my confidence levels were boosted, thanks to good reads! It's now time to have fun.

You can do anything honey, absolutely anything when you put your mind to it. I was almost re-doing everything I did last week on this other computer but told myself everything will be okay. So my boss came in, had a good chat, luckily enough he didn't ask me about my assignment and left. Cathy God’s got you. Prayed the entire time and when 4pm hit I had to ask this IT guy what was up and he was like yo! Your computer crushed..and I almost swallowed my heart. BUT..BUT WHAT? I managed to restore all your files. I have never been happier.

It takes one thing to ruin your day and one thought to reshape all that and make it worthwhile. What a lesson learnt early in the week and almost early in the month. That even in your rockiest, you can still cause that petal to blossom, that light to burn even brighter. That positive thought to merry up your day. See there's so much about fate that we cannot control, but other things do fall under the juriscdiction. We can decide how we spend our time, money, and energy with . Select what to read, study, and even eat. We can choose how we are going to regard unfortunate circumstances in our lives-whether we see them as curses or opportunities. We can choose our words and the tone of voice in whcih we speak to others. And most of all, we can choose our thoughts.

Moral of the lesson is, what’s your ultimate measure as a man in moments of comfort and convenience, and where do you stand in times of challenges and adversity. No matter how small.

Tonight and going forward, keep shining, keep marveling, keep up the positivity and most of all remember your greatness is within. Always has, always will be.

My day ends as it started. On a high, but on a thoughty high.

Goodnight loves.

XX 

Stop using this Word!!

So i've been on this PR Series online learning about ''Pro'' ship and becoming a better communications person and this particular article got me. Michael, the PR pundit in this series,  attended one of PRSA's (public relations society of america) events and was talking about people feeling inadequate about themselves and never wanting to appreciate who they are in their business cycles. Came across two typical examples of most of us out here who don't want to come off as braggarts and would rather lay low.

So Michael(the PR Guru) meets up with these young energetic professionals in the inner circle program whom he's immediately prompted to have convos with.

The article starts by saying we need to ban some words from our vocabulary. Some which are prevalent in the PR field lol. I don't think its in that field only, every other space whether in the creative industry or not.

Michael is like , That's great you're presenting! Tell me about it!"
He said ; I'm just the third person on the panel. My mentor invited me to join her''

The second convo came at a reception when a young woman introduced herself as a reader of Michael's posts. As they chatted he asks where she works and she said, “I’m just an account coordinator at a small agency in . . .”

What’s the offending word again ?

Yes, you saw it: just.

I read that and said bummer bummer, Never say “I’m just . . .” There are enough people out there who will diminish your standing in the world, you don’t need to help them by doing it to yourself. 

Michael goes on to say that guy on the panel is one of THE sharpest young PR pros he knows. He'd actually recommend him anywhere. He called him out for saying “just on a panel” and he explained that he thought he should be humble about it. That’s true. But when someone asks you about your presentation, it’s not bragging to answer it straight-up. And he killed it on the panel.

And beginning your career as an account coordinator is a noble start. Me and my aggressive self is here speaking my lungs out saying whether an entrepreneur hiring out sound for events big or small or just starting out an online shop for selling veggies, starting that company that offers cleaning services to these gated communities....my dearest young proffesional, all of us have been there. As i'm also trying to preach this to myself, so many times we feel inadequate and for you to even get to where you are today it took so many sleepless nights trying to reassure yourself of the future and if you're gonna make it, going through mocking to be someone. And look at you today. You did it! Or you're still in the running towards becoming that figure you've always wanted to be!

Getting to understand how does one talk about themselves without selling themselves short? Say the same thing you would normally say without any modifiers. Michael uses an example of a young lady called Alyssa.

She showed up at a small gathering he organized one evening. She introduced herself to him and the others there by explaining, “I’m attending with my CEO (name) at a boutique public affairs agency in (city). She is on her way to join us.”

And then she actively participated in the conversation. She listened, offered her opinion, and answered questions directly. If one would have thought about it, you would have put her at about 10 years’ experience, the way she held her own with the experienced PR pros at the gathering.

She didn’t say, “I’m just filling in for my CEO, who is running late” or “I’m just a junior member at a small agency . . .”

Later he asked her when she finished school, and she said with a smile, “Two years ago.” He told her she carries herself the same as someone much older, and that’s a good thing. Her CEO is lucky to have her.

What is this teaching you. So much is expected of us in the business world, whether starting or not and don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying you should brag. Don’t even humblebrag. Simply avoid saying, “I’m just . . .”

You’re better than that.

Thanks for reading XX

That Extra Mile

Yesterday i had the privilege of attending one of Agriculture's best exhibitions and conferences held annually at the KICC and it was such an amazing experience.
I think one thing we lack as young people is the opportunity to venture into different opportunities and diversify some of the talents we have. Agriculture for instance, is a driver and a spear header of Kenya's economy and if the young, the future of this great nation learn to embrace it. Kick the name 'third world' into our history books.

I think we shouldn't be afraid to go an extra mile, or want to get our hands dirty, let alone want to eat and never really know the effort it took to plant whatever we're putting into our mouths. Its like giving a one year old a remote and expecting them to find the next channel. Sounds silly right?
With the conversations i made with some of the CEO's and the founders of those big companies from all over the world it was evident that through Agribusiness, they not only carved out successful careers of their own but also helped local farmers from their end reach global markets, and create jobs for other young people - especially women 😄.

On a serious note, whether woman or not, Agribusiness is the way to go, Gloria Muliro, Former Tanzanian President and the likes of Gladys Shollei who is an awesome example of a young woman who ditched politics to enter into farming,now runs a successful dairy farm at her home in Uasin Gishu. As if you need any more inspiration!

I think it can start by leasing land? or owning? Either of the two. Join a sacco, or have some sort of savings plan. It will go a long way. That aside, develop some interest..and the next time you come across Cathy Matete's all natural hair line made with natures finest herbs in your local store, think about how you can start up a business in Agric to help both yourself and the rural poor. Trust me its fun!

XX

Smell the Roses!

Cathy, 99% of everything you want is first owned in your mind. So stop complaining you don’t have this, you don’t have that when you can own it within and eventually have it. Oh and don’t forget,working towards it.

Thank you for making me think Mr. Anonymous 😊 . When we all grow up we think of doing so much,our goals are usually in place,our minds ready to execute them and then something just happens along the way,could be love,or silly ventures or just getting caught up with the hustles of life, the small moneys we get that can only sustain us for a couple of weeks along the month and then we’re back to square one...

The sadness that comes with breaking those precious glasses you’ve always set aside for your visitors or that special someone hehe…When all you ever think of is when you’re getting your next bus fare from, depressed in the house without gas or oil (this is real life )..When you're always moody towards everyone as if its them who put you in that slack, when you're friends leave the office to go have lunch and leave you on your computer pretending to be busy working yet deep inside you know its nothing like that,just that life is happening. Oh crap! Lets get real here for a second. When did your life stop? When did you call yourself for a meeting and thought about you for once?  For how long will you sit down in despair and whine about how terrible your boss is or how ‘peanuty’ your salary is..when you suddenly change to that person who’s always wondering what is happening with other people’s lives? Why are they succeeding and you're not?  

When you wake up so early, rejuvenated to only do the same things you were doing yesterday, same paraphernalia,different day.. and it in turn becomes a cycle that never seems to end! Meeting the same boss, getting the same threats and endless pressures...when Mondays are a nightmare and Fridays your solace Gosh! Smell the coffee! Wake up! Not until your intuition and the rational you come knocking and you decide enough is enough,hunnie we’ll bury you alive..dying of depression,regret and gloom.

Sit up,shake all that sadness and dust off,man up and be your own boss. "I’m not working for anyone, I’m no longer making this fat man rich! I’m going to be my own boss"..period! We are the shapers of  our own destinies and the sooner we get that the better.The challenge is worth the road they say,plus the prettiest and the well-dressed seldom change the world *wink......  so Woman, Man. Its about that time. The future awaits, get that crazy and proactive side of yours up and running! The future’s bright, wear em’ sunglasses and get on with it. You'll thank me later.

 xx 😊

Just Right

Did you see these scars,trying to eat through this flesh making their way to my heart and wanting to destroy what's left?
Did you see how my heart lost its melt when you went away? when we were slowly deteriorating to smaller and smaller sparks? Did you feel my heartbeat slowly fade to the night..my glam and fire slowly diminish? 
Out to the ocean,swept away by the wind and straight to the sun..burnt! To the edge and straight to History..



What you saw was at the start of destruction at its best. Is that why you appeared?
Cause I can feel your endearment slowly pulling me back.Brick by brick, your benevolence is building me up.
Your strength so perfect. Your embrace so tight,
From my heart to my knees. To my mind to my reverie,
Wait till you see my smile,Wait till you see what's next,
Wait till you see this light that's burning through my chest,
Watch how high I fly,how fast this feeling spreads..

Never would i have thought this would all be available to me again,
Oh, but then I felt your heart!
It's pulling me back brick by brick, your fortitude has built me up,
Your strength so perfect,Your allure so right,
You let me in like never before,and took away all the pieces that I didn’t need and now I’m free.
My beaming truth,You are everything i've ever looked for.
You are just Right.


XX 

Woman

Girl you are rich even with nothing because you know your tenderness comes from pain. It’s a ragged road you’ve come and hunnie you have every reason. You’ve come down, gone up, the waves have rushed over you but somehow you made it to the other side. Just know you dint suffer in vain. You dint come undone.

Trailed down the Babylonian walls like a maniac. Hoping the reverberations of the night won’t follow your tracks. Your mind, semi blue because of the dark thoughts that surround you. Your effervescent eyes blurred, now you’re not even able to see. Sigh, this roller-coaster.

So much brokenness and uncertainty.All this from within and without. Though all this has happened to you in recent years you have emboldened me in the mission of spreading love and hope.Doing all that with the power of my words. Ease up and Heal my love. So much awaits you.

In the great scheme of things,the world will keep turning and there will be striking beauty and adversity and somehow no way around it,so let’s live in the moment and let us give thanks for this life we live even if it’s hard. Let’s Live more and complain less.Love more and hate less,appreciate more and expect nothing in return for when we give,so we receive.

Above all things lets never give up hope. It’s the only thing that holds the world together.Hope heals,hope mends,hope revives and hope binds.Its the best route to take.

xx

The Kenya We Want..

Spinning like a ball of dice
Inside the sphere of this startling world
A world so free yet has shuttered itself in shreds of partisan filled mindsets,fighting and looting
In the terror by the day the irony remains that no one fears death no more
The men in blue vandalize with literal bullets
Innocent lives wail in sheer terror in a world that is full of insecurities and prejudice
Will we see the end of this day
Will this come to an end

I'm afraid history is repeating itself
I'm afraid we are too blind to see
I'm afraid we are so deaf as we willfully will neither hear nor see
I'm afraid dictation is finding its way in our systems
Afraid assertiveness lost its way somewhere inside the realms of our irrational wits

Through an iron sheet comes death like a raging tornado
Innocent toddlers get hit by the object of Oppression
Tears and endless tears,groans and endless aching
What happened to humanity,what happened to the human race
The leaders wear the same faces,yet we the people participate in electing them
Is emancipation a hard of a thing to understand?

All i want is One Life,
One Blood,
One God,
One Kenya,
One Race,
The Human Race.

Nairobi Meets Coast! - 'Dear Mama'-(Song review and launch)

You hear Bongo music and automatically think of Tanzania or Mombasa Raha! Same as Taarab and chilled out coastal sounds.

Well its no different with Mr. Pday Hurricane and Cannibal's new hit single dubbed ‘Dear Mama.’

A fusion of the coastal resonances with a touch of the city in the sun(Nairobi). Ironic right? If you were to compare the Nairobi and Mombasa sun. The heat that would bake your forehead there is completely different from the one back home.

Cannibal-Rapper
 https://web.facebook.com/cannibalkenya/?fref=ts

We all know,or have heard of Cannibal the sensational rapper and lyricist from the Mijikenda(Rabai) tribe in Mombasa who has had his music bud right here in Nairobi for more than a decade now.Cannibal who is renown for his hit singles  'My city my town' 'My reason' just to name a few has adorned our ears for an era where consciousness was the thing and we can never seem to have enough of him.His sweet auricle sensates your soul and cuts through the bone and leaves you craving for more sounds from him.

Pday Hurricane on the other hand is,a Giriama born male vocal prowess who grew up in Mombasa and has had his love for Music grow from an early age and its only now that the world can entirely hear him resound from their living rooms.Pday has sang a song featuring Alkenia which goes by the name 'Niringe Nae',a song that  really,if not,flaunts a guys woman! 

I meet with the high spirited Pday who has a great sense of humour,for some music business and he’s like

Pday Hurricane-Singer-Songwriter
https://web.facebook.com/pdayz 

‘Cathy help a brother out man.Prove to me that you can actually review this song,you’re that girl!’ That’s followed by a flamboyant laugh.'Oh well,thanks bruh!' Dont even get me started on how I met with Pday Hurricane! We are like two peas in a pod.He’s a  funny persona, he tells me he moves like the wind and is here to take over the world.Hence ‘Hurricane’.On the other hand Alkenia Luv (part of the sweet song)is a calm and a composed human,though very hilarious too. 

Pday tells me the intrested MCA for Mtopanga-Cannibal found him in studio with this track and he was like hey man! Why don’t we come up with something sweet talking about our Mothers?(rarely sang about :-)) Pday says ‘ apo basi kaka (that's it bro!).. And that’s how this song was born.

For the first time ever a hit single made within the environs of Mombasa Town and given a Nairobi touch,one that coughs energy and strength to every  Mother  in the world,it’s a sweet letter to all the hardworking women out there who help instill values to their children,mothers who never tire to give direction to their children, “shukran kwa mama,kwa kunilea' a letter that really upholds the fact that without a mother nothing can really go right.She’s the pillar,the powerhouse.

Ya'll need need to get a hold of this song! How apparent is it  that its International Womens Month.Mom here comes a dedication (chuckles).Like honestly,what better way than to have two creatives crown and honor the efforts of women with beautifully written lyrics and shed gratitude in sweet tunes and love.I love it!

A listening Party or better yet the Video launch of ‘Dear Mama’ will be happening in Mombasa this weekend! What a plot.For ya'll in Mombasa,and beyond..mnakaribishwa sana!

Venue: Gasaro (Near Mtwapa)

Date:March 19^th 2016

Time: 6:00pm

See ya’ll there.







 Thanks for the read XO

Ricky Na Marafiki-Lovers Edition Convo..

When I first met Ricky (Founder of Ricky na Marafiki Band) he seemed like the quiet and arrogant type.Always looked at him with this “who the hell do you think you are “ kinda look, but then after getting to know him,he turned out to be this warm and gentle persona.We should all stop judging at some point by the way hehe.Both of us alongside other musicians were backing up a Female Swahili Artist known as Binti Afrika on her debut performance at Choices Baricho road and the Rift valley Festival in Naivasha.He played bass at the time,still does,he called it his baby, the casing itself was like a cage..nothing goes out,nothing comes in lol even had a padlock(I thought I was weird).Those who know him know what I mean.Ricky had an ear for music,you could tell by his keen auricle for any wrong chord played..this helped the band a lot.

We bonded so well and kept in touch ever since.This past December we coincidentally bumped into each other on our way to Mombasa.Shared the same bus,same window and straight away started joking about our time in Binti Afrika’s band.Catched up on our Musical endeavors and life in general.Told him I was a copywriter and a blogger and he was like..why don’t you  do an article about my next event which is on February?and I was like why not?

Ricky is a free spirit, funny, grounded,yet very gifted. This wild card has graced the stage for Kings of jazz,from the likes of Oliver mtukudzi,Richard Bona just to name  a few.He has also played with big names in the Kenyan jazz emporium, Eric Wainana,Aaron Rimbui,Dan Aceda,Juma Tutu,Lisa Noah,Atemi Oyungu among others.Ricky defines his sound as “Afro Jazz” a fuse of jazz with an African sound,it has a world music touch and the fuse leaves you yearning for more because no melody resounds twice.

Ricky’s event dubbed as “An Evening of Afro jazz”  invites friends and lovers of jazz from far and wide to come experience the sensation of jazz music with an African world musical touch.His music rich in content,full of antique stories and amazing descant,hits you and you feel no pain.

An evening of Afrojazz showcases different acts,upcoming,given the first priority and the troupers in the Music industry.Ricky tells me the industry is wide and is ready for fresh and new content and he and his band wish to provide a platform for upcoming musicians and build the industry more by making Afrojazz known to the masses.

An evening of Afrojazz has built its credibility.Its consistency and valour,good vibes and uniqueness has earned it several reviews in the Music Industry.Goes to tell you his sound is way out of this world!Here’s one…

http://www.nation.co.ke/lifestyle/weekend/Ricky-Na-Marafiki-out-to-spread-jazz-message-in-Kenya/-/1220/1913234/-/view/printVersion/-/j3x0va/-/index.html

An evening of afro jazz is put together by Patrick ‘Ricky’ Nanjero. Ricky is bassist and lead of his five-piece band, Ricky Na Marafiki. The event is held on every first Friday of every three months. Venue is Alliance Francaise Gardens.

Each event has a different line up of artists. The artists – solo or in a band, vocalists or instrumentalists – each perform two self-composed tracks. The three-four hour event culminates with a performance from Ricky Na Marafiki.

The Band Members are what have made “An Evening of Afrojazz” what it is.We’ve all come a long way to make our music what it is today “We are friends first before holding any instrument”-Ricky..

RICKY NA MARAFIKI BAND MEMBERS

Ricky Nanjero-Lead,Bass

         Steve Munge:Saxophone

                    Sam Konzi:Guitar

                            Okinyo Michael:Keys

                                      Geofrey:Drums

                                                 Hulda Serro:Background Vocals.

This year Ricky na Marafiki kick off the year with their  first show this February!Yes!I know what you’re thinking.:-)

This beautiful day’s line up is crazy, it has soughted artists who appreciate love and have a rich background in jazz music.Priscah ojwang,Halisi the band,Le band and the beautiful Kalahi will be the ones gracing the stage on this auspicious day!

Ricky na Marafiki presents “An Evening of Afrojazz” - Lovers Edition at the Alliance Francaise Gardens on the 5^th of February from 6pm.Just a week before valentines :)  Sweet I know. Superb weekend plot.

I ask him why lovers edition and why this month?

Ricky : Cathy what a cliché! Lovers edition is all about Love and February being the month of love,we choose to dedicate the show to lovers.

Me : Where does that leave those who have none? :-)

Ricky : Lol you don’t have to have to have one to show up.As in the opposite sex hahaha,even your family member can be your lover for that day..we basically want to spread the message of love because love conquers all.

Me : Lol that’s sweet.Just messing with you.

I told you this guy is hilarious lol.

Ricky na Marafiki looks forward to having you in this Red Affair.Come with a loved a one,someone you cherish or admire,a potential... and don’t forget! Your musical self.

Come celebrate the month of love in style.In rich yet so moving music.

..See ya’ll this Friday!!

My ticket is ready,grab yours at Cold stone Creamery near Imax

Thanks for the read XO

Elusion!

The weekend is almost here and i was just reflecting on the week that has been.Started with all these mixed intuitions of whether or not to give up on some things or to just hang in there and keep on pushing.

I sit here and reflect on how rosy life is/might be for some..and to others how distressing it might be.
I take one lesson with me,never ever assume that things are going on well with those close to you,just because someone smiles at you or they're quiet on you or you hang out just fine you assume that they are okay,might just be the opposite.

I got a chance to speak to a friend(who allowed me to write this blog)thank God for this third eye,i sat down with them and started having a normal chit chat,and just catch up on how life is taking us and all..and in not less than 7minutes is when an out-pour of words came crushing down.Never been struck in my entire life.We’ve all heard someone who has said this phrase, or a phrase similar to this like, “If that happens, I’m just gonna kill myself” or “Kill me now” or "why dont i just die" etc. Phrases like these are just in our everyday conversations, and no one really thinks twice about them because, obviously the people aren’t serious when they say them. They are just words that get said when you need to blow off some steam because you are at your wit’s end with a situation. Been there done that. I sometimes say them too. There are days when I am in a predicament that I don’t really want to be in but am forced to be there for whatever reason. When that happens, my girl will 4 times out of 5 get a text message that says, “eish…kill me now!” and she just laughs and says, “that bad, eh?” And then we continue on with our conversation.

My best friend laughs because, like I said, we both know that I am not being serious in my request for her to kill me. I don’t actually wish I were dead instead of being in that situation. I just don’t like what is going on around me, and I don’t want to be there. It’s an exaggeration that is used to convey just how much I hate whatever is going on. It’s as simple as that.
But this was this person's actual case..i'm then struck,sit back and ask myself when did it come to this?dint i read the signs early enough?

What happened to that notion of us wanting to know how the other person is and things like that?shame on me!is what i pasted on my forehead after hearing all that.They open up and tear up and shout and oh God!Nerve-racking and sad and all this melancholic feelings going round and round.......
What i'd say though is..lets all develop that culture of wanting to know how the other person is,go on a little deeper and get to understand a person's situation.We all know that clearly life isn't as rosy for everyone,and we shouldn't take for granted the fact that we are fine when others are not.

Our culture is known for togetherness and compassion and humanity..you know,ubuntu.Lets bring that back!develop that 'i care attitude and kill the busyness''' we tend to portray in our lives.Give an ear,listen,advice.Proverbs say's that "whoever refreshes another will also be refreshed",can it get any better than that?It doesnt take off a single hair from your body.Its brotherhood and love and wanting to see our backbones in perfect peace!

What a way to start off the year,by saying lend an ear and most of all guard your minds from all negativity.The mind is the most powerful gift God could ever give to all mankind.Why not guard it and help make the world a better place.Today Change your thoughts and change your world!Oh and stop with the Elusion.

Thanks for the read :)
XX

My Mind

My mind drifts often,
Like the wind does in a raging El Nino,
It takes short walks to get energized,
When it returns
It reminds me of the sweet little things in life

It does not allow me to think about
Times of strife and suffering and of when
My soul was not a soul,
But lets me marvel at the now

My mind escapes me occasionally;

It takes trips to exotic places,                     

Where everyone is so relaxed,
They forget they exist,
What a feeling that can be sometimes

My mind fills with imagination,
It questions the questionable,
Thinks and re-thinks
Sets itself apart

                                                    

My mind builds mountains on the desert,
Makes the moon smile sometimes,
And grows cute lilies on the side
Of a solitary road to keep it company

My mind, Yes it is unique
Inventive, and sometimes absent
From reality and the truth

My Escapade-Traveling

I consider myself the adventurous type; at least someone agrees with me on that.  Astrology :-)
Two years ago I was head over heels over traveling outside Kenya, you know, wanting to experience another culture and getting a feel of how things are done in other countries. To get to know what other people like and just have fun, because to me the greatest reward and luxury of travel is to be able to experience everyday things as if it were the first time and to be in a position in which almost nothing is so familiar its taken for granted.

History shows that travelling develops skills you didn’t know you had – The satisfaction you get when reaching the top of the mountain(which I did haha) or crossing a gorge, or helping a villager clean up after a storm, or simply getting what you wanted at a restaurant in the streets of Arusha town..These things all allow access to skill sets you didn’t know you had; well alongside other interesting stuff. The need for adventure is just hardwired and travel lets you tap into it.

So this time round around December 2013 my legs took me, alongside close friends to Arusha Tanzania. A city that is surrounded by beautiful Hills and Mountains, friendly people and beautiful scenery. A city that has grown trees inside Its town and its as clean you can  imagine. Roads are made; hotels and buildings as modern and a realm of breathtaking landscapes from left right and centre.With a feel of all this it was clear that it was going to be a time to unwind and relax after a long years work.

People kept on looking and smiling at us,some even went ahead to say their hi’s(za kwako?,za tangu jana?,za juzi? Vipi?)and I’m there,nimeduwaa..the only greeting  I’m familiar with is sasa? Haha I can remember the expression on the kids faces when I said this.So hilarious.With us getting the looks,I guess its what comes with being Kenyan.We are so conspicuous and hold some eminence that can’t be compared to any other..in short we just stand out.Our dressing,our body language..how we speak and all..there’s just something!And I’m proud of that.We ended up making friends even in the market places because we really enjoyed their food.
Oh their food,almost compared to Swahili dishes.. having had a Swahili background I ended up appreciating every bit of it..their mshikaki’s were out of this world..ate this from a restaurant called “Babylon”..okey it was both a club and a restaurant,the name is just weird..but screw that.The food was breathtaking.And did I forget how beautiful the ladies are?the yellow yellow dadas?as we call them?my brother ended up pursuing one..i’m yet to ask him how that went :-)

And then theres the money,Tanzanian Shillings are comedy at its best.Lol for a moment I thought I was bawling hard! You hear 30,000TZS and you’re like man! That S3? Kumbe its not even two thousand bob,though we enjoyed the affordable foodstuffs,wine and African wear that we ended up getting for our families back home.We made sure we made good use of it up there..It was a fun experience..Oh and i climbed a mountain,something i never thought i'd ever do..the heat and the blood rush.Unforgettable.

Just recently I landed a job at a certain branding company and jumped right on to start working together with them on the branding identity of a Festival called Zinduka. A Festival that happens annually in the Different East African Countries.The festival brings together the giants of the Arts,Culture,Technology and conversations.Its  gates open next week and guess where..in Arushaaa! Couldn’t be more excited to go back there and have me some fun and learn at the same time.For my part, I travel not to go anywhere, but to go. I travel for travel’s sake. The great affair is to move,and this is going to be worth the ride.

Stick here for an update of the event when I get back.Cant wait to share with ya’ll.