Just a small blog to keep you up to date with the Chemirocha project.
I'll do my best to keep it all up to date
- Tom
Chemirocha - Exploring the links between American country and East African music
The idea came about when Guy Morley heard the Hugh Tracy field recording called 'Chemirocha' - two girls from Kenya singing about Jimmie Rogers in the 1950s. When he found out the Bhundu Boys from Zimbabwe once performed an entire set as Don Williams' backing band he had to find out more about why so many African cultures got into country.
One of the great country style singers in Kenya is Joseph Kamaru – he’s now in his 70s, still sings and still wears a white cowboy hat – He and his wife make a double act. Through Tabu Osusa at Ketabul studios he will be involved alongside Ochieng Nelly – one of the originators of the Benga sound. From Western shores, Devon Sproule, Paul Curreri and Ben Mandleson will be also be joining us as we head to The GoDown Arts Centre in Nairobi to explore the links between American country and East African music.
