- Eric Wainaina – MONKEY
Eric Wainaina is one of Kenya’s best known singer- songwriters. He is a graduate of Berklee College of Music in Boston. His seminal hit, Daima Kenya, is widely considered Kenya’s second national anthem. His fourth studio album Dreams in Stereo was released in July 2018.
Eric has had an equally long-standing career in musical theatre and is the founder of the NBO Musical Theatre Initiative which aims to create original musical theatre work in the region.
He also works extensively in film scoring, is a engaging live performer and co-creator of a monthly music series Live At The Elephant.
- Elsaphan Njora – TORTOISE
Born in 1988, March 15th Elsaphan is a multi-talented Kenyan artist who is mostly known for his acting and spoken word. He has a bachelor’s degree in sociology and communications and is the founder of EOPNATION; a spoken word event that is held in Nairobi every third Friday of the month for over 9 years.
In addition to being a regular performer on the Nairobi theatre scene, Njora has distinguished himself as a screen actor in numerous projects including experimental music videos with Just-A-Band, local TV hit show Briefcase Inc, the HBO series Sense 8 and most recently his lead role in the film-festival favorite Kati Kati (TIFF)
- Raaay! (Ray Kibet) – ELEPHANT
Raaay! Is a lovable, cheerful and entertaining mirror of the intriguingly sophisticated African culture. Broadcasting the characteristics of the typical African social being, he, through his music, showcases the richness of African nuances, ways, social norms, taboos and so on. Raaay grew up listening to a cocktail of traditional African sounds and genres and aims to through song and dance morph the Global perspective of Africa from its often negatively portrayed image into the beauty and magnificence it really is. Through Music, Raaay! Hopes to tell the African story from an African’s point of view.
- Eddy Kimani – LION
Eddy Kimani is enjoying his return to acting (stage/screen) this year, a craft that he had taken a hiatus from for several years.
He recently featured in a Kenyan feature film “The DreamChild”, a Kenyan full feature film which premieres in August.
He started acting in 1990 in his home county Nakuru and has featured in a number of stage, TV commercials dramatic screen productions including 2011 Academy Award Best Foreign Film winner “In A Better World” among others. Besides acting, Eddy is also a trained broadcaster.
Eddy is married and has two sons and currently runs a media and events consulting company
- Nyokabi Macharia – GIRAFFE
Nyokabi Macharia is an actor, singer, and dancer based in Nairobi, Kenya who has done professional Musical Theatre for two and a half years. She made her debut at Kenya National Theatre when she played Mary Magdalene in Jesus Christ Superstar in 2017 but she has played both leading and supporting characters in various musicals including Mamma Mia, Jungle Book the Musical and Caucasian Chalk Circle. The highlight of her career has been playing five of Kenya’s historical heroines in one play in the 2018 July edition of Too Early for Birds, a storytelling show about Kenya’s historical background. She is passionate about African stories and hopes to be a contributor in continent’s film and theatre industry
- Atemi Oyungu – HIPPO
Atemi is the musical love child of Miriam Makeba and Aretha Franklin – undeniably one of Kenya’s most talented vocalists.
She most recently released 4 singles off her much anticipated 3rd studio album, chart topping hit single Bebi Bebi ‘Kama We’ featuring Khaligraph Jones and ‘You’ featuring American/Nigerian producer LexiSugar.She headlined alongside musical greats such as Mbilia Bel, Les Nubians, Anthony Hamilton, Ali Kiba, and Simpiwe Dana and represented Kenya as an anchor artist at the Smithsonian Folklife Festival in 2014. Her onscreen credits include her role as judge, coach and Music Director on hit TV shows like Tusker Project Fame and Airtel Trace Music Stars and her creation of Kenya’s much beloved Christmas Special – Tis the Season.
- Alvan Gatitu – CHAMELEON
Alvan Gatitu wears many hats. He is a singer, Songwriter, Actor, Filmmaker, animation graphics designer, Photographer and counselor. He studied music and communications at Daystar University and later moved on to join the GCCI Organisation in the Netherlands furthering his growth as a singer and songwriter.
He is famed for his appearances on Tusker Project Fame, a music reality TV competition which ended with him as first runners up. Alvan has since performed in local and international jazz festivals, all the while leading congregations in worship at Nairobi Chapel where he is the music and productions director.
In his free time, Alvan indulges in DIY crafts, carpentry, tailoring, cobbler, pottery. He currently lives in Nairobi, Kenya with his dog Bishop and cat Kobby.
- Kendi Nkonge – QUEEN BEE
A budding Singer and Songwriter based in Nairobi, Kenya. Ardently thriving on the use of music as an agent to change lives, inspire minds, tell stories and touch hearts to the ends of the world.
Kendi is a fast-rising vocal force having performed and collaborated with industry greats such as Atemi Oyungu, Eric Wainaina, June Gachui and Shamsi Music among others. Definitely a vocal force to reckon with! Performances include The Kendi Nkonge Experience, MoTown in Nairobi, Tis The Season Kenyan Christmas Ensemble among many more.
Currently working on new original compositions and brewing some musical magic!
9.Karimi Rimbui Wamae
Karimi Rimbui Wamai stands out as one of Kenya’s prolific singers, a truly gifted bard for this generation.
She has always blended her love for music with a passion for musical theater and this has seen her feature in several productions including classics such as Sound of Music, Fiddler on the Roof, city favorites like Lwanda Man of Stone, Lwanda – A Ghetto Story, The Village Christmas, among others.
Karimi has been featured on multiple performances for album launches, music events, and concerts. True to her roots and primary place of expressing her talent, Karimi has continued to use her singing gift since her teenage years, and is concurrently also involved in expressing her gift at her local Church.
Outside the world of performance, you will often find Karimi reading, listening to music, attending gigs, and socializing with friends and family.
- Victor Kimetto – Keyboards
Victor started his musical foray at the age of 10, playing guitar under the guidance of his father who played guitar as a hobby. He fell in love with the piano when his mother bought him a keyboard and his passion for music saw him pick up other instruments along the way like the drums, recorder and bass guitar but his love for keyboard was unwavering. He had his big breakthrough came after he formed a band with his twin brother and began to play in church.
He has since become one of the most sought after keyboard players in Kenya backing the likes of Eric Wainaina, Kanji Mbugua, Atemi, Elani, Juliani and many others. He has also distinguished himself as a very capable Music Director, putting together house bands for numerous visiting international acts and for the hugely successful Safaricom Live National Tour two years in a row.
- Teddy Mwangi – Bass Guitar
Ted began his music at an early age taking part in school music festivals doing voice solos up to national levels. After school, he began learning how to play musical instruments such as the piano, drums and guitar until 2007 when he settled on the bass guitar as his instrument of choice.
His skills grew quickly and he and joined several bands which also kicked off his career as a trusted session musician.
Teddy has had the honor of gracing the stage with amazing artists such as Queen Mashie (Zimbabwe), Eric Wainaina, Elani, German Doctors Orchestra (Germany), Keke (South Africa), Juma Tutu, Dela, June Gachui, Jimmy DluDlu,Nameless and Idd Aziz. He has also played in the Safaricom Jazz Festival, Tinga Tinga Tales -The Musical. He continues to be a regular musician at Parklands Baptist church, Mavuno church and House of Grace .
- Benjamin Masinde – GUITAR
Benjamin Kabaseke is a gifted and very passionate guitarists. His fingers strum magically and make for electrifying solo riffs every time he steps on stage.
This self taught musician, hasI played professionally for 10 years now. In addition to self learning how to play the guitar, he has also learned how to play the Adungu, a traditional instrument from Uganda.
Of note is the honour Benjamin has had to share the stage with some of Africa’s top musical talent Eric Wainaina, Juliani, Octopizzo, Jose Chameleon (Uganda), Ali Kiba, (Tanzania) Lady Jay Dee (Tanzania), Sauti Sol, Redsan, Susan Owiyo, Winyo and Nina Ogot, Alaine (Jamaica) and many more.
Kabaseke has also played in bands including Safaricom Live, Maisha Superstar, Koroga festival, Sauti ya Busara, Tinga Tinga just to mention but a few. A personal highlight was playing alongside Eric Wainaina for former U.S. President Barack Obama at the opening of the Sauti Kuu Foundation in July 2018.
- Tetu Shani – PERCUSSIONIST
A Self-taught percussionist and guitarist, Tetu Shani got accepted in 2014 to the prestigious Berklee College of Music with a scholarship to study Performance. He, however, turned it down desiring to be a part of the musical renaissance happening in Nairobi and to help build up the local music scene.
He picked up a guitar that same year, writing his first song at the relatively late age of 28. In the next four years, he had won a silver medal at the Global Music Awards, opened for Grammy winner Joss Stone and been featured on CNN African Voices as one of the trendsetters on the African continent.
- Marvin Maveke – Drummer
Marvin Maveke is a talented drummer. He started drumming at a young age through school and in the church as well, which is where he perfected his skill.
He’s been a drummer in “The Best Band In Africa” which is Eric Wainaina’s band for ten years now. This has seen him record in studio albums, perform on numerous local stages as well as tour alongside Eric for his regional and international gigs.
Being passionate to see a shift in Kenya’s entertainment industry, thid father of two has set up an outfit to conceptualize and bring to life – out of the ordinary gigs in Nairobi.
- Coach Edu – Choreographer
I’m a creative, dynamic person who has an innate desire to excel. I’m flexible and agile in physique and time. The dedicated choreographer who can work with dancers, musicians and actors of all ages and experience levels. Adept at organizing live performance helping to integrate costumes and props and developing routine quickly. Able to translate what is in my head to dancers easily with my patience and strong communication and leadership capabilities during teaching.
I am adaptive to learning and thinking outside the box, to capture the moment. Bring the story or idea and I capture the moment by using my choreography.
