ABOUT
Ricky na Marafiki is a music collective that was founded by PATRICK NANJERO aka Ricky Nanjero who is an accomplished bass guitarist and who has played for leading musicians from within and outside of the country: he has played for Eric Wainaina, Anyango – The Japanese Lady Nyatiti-player, Baaba Maal, Biba Bauch and many more. Ricky, whose experience as a musician spans over 17 years, is also the founder of AN EVENING OF AFROJAZZ. Ricky has three studio albums under their belt. TUCHEZE- 2010, SO SIMPLE 2014. and SOUL FOOD 2016
Ricky has since partnered with Papi OdeQ and John Were, both accomplished artists and performers in their own right, for the purpose of making a Benga Music record christened SOKO HURU PROJECT. 'Soko Huru' is a Swahili phrase that translates to 'free market'. The scheduled release date is 31st March 2019. The three share the love for Benga Music and are currently taking a break from personal projects and performing together as a unit.
Each individual brings on board their unique styles and personalities which merge in one. With their instruments, combined, they confirm that Africa is indeed a musical treasure. Their music promises to send chills down your spine making you feel the roots of the cradle of mankind, Kenya, come to life RICKY NANJERO brings on board a wealth of experience in band leadership, afro-jazz style of music, songwriting and music arrangement abilities.
PAPI ODEQ, an experienced percussionist and performing artist (singer/songwriter and actor), brings onboard experiences gathered over the years as a thespian, film actor and screenwriter. He has been part of various full-length feature films, TV programs and musical theatre projects (MO FAYA by Eric Wainaina, KIGEZINDOTO by Mumbi Kaigwa, and OUT OF AFRICA by Peter Ultee Productions B.V Amsterdam) that have toured both locally and internationally. He is also the lead singer and founder of the Benga Music band, Tamasha Beats. Papi has two studio albums; UNVEILED – 2011 and WATU SIMBA: KILIO CHA KENYA - 2017. JOHN WERE picked and started to play the guitar at a very tender age. Having played in a band made up of his family members, he is a guitar player extraordinaire who brings on board experience garnered from years of playing, both rhythm and lead, guitar for the following leading musicians: Eric Wainaina, Les Mangelepa, Ochieng Kabasele, Mass System.
Other musicians included in the project include Dr. Michael Okinyo, a career Pharmacist, but a Piano/Keyboard player par-excellence, Edward Solomon Baraza a prolific and talented drummer.
our sound can be described as African polyrhythm’s, mixed with modern improvisation style to create benga. our arrangements are almost symphonic, hypnotizing with the unexpected colors of voices and instruments. Music for us is not a casual undertaking and that we understand that very well by making sure in our show you dance, laugh, cry, and understand yourselves and each other. our open-ended music is designed to remind us that we live in an enormous universe filled with wonders and connected with music, we take you to both the village and urban cities Musically and we make sure No rhythm resounds itself twice and leaving wanting for more