The Joy I Feel: Field Recording

The music of East Africa often reflects the joyful spirit of the people and this medley serves as a great example. My choral arrangement available through Hal Leonard:

http://www.halleonard.com/product/viewproduct.do?itemid=8754126&lid=0&...

Songs:

Karibuni (Plural form of karibu, meaning welcome, in Swahili)

I was greeted with this song by the women of the Agape Mulala Cultural Tour - Meru people living at the base of Mt. Meru in Tanzania. I also used this song for the Agape Mulala Cultural Tour Promo video that I made for this group.

Muyo (Joy in Kikamba)

I originally heard children singing this song while running around on a playground in Wamunyu, Kenya. My arrangement was the result of me teaching this song to Katumbu, an adult choir based in Kitui, Kenya.

Liwaya (Come What May in Swahili, also from Wamunyu, Kenya)

I have recorded Liwaya more than any other song over my years of research and it is still one of my favorites. I have countless lines for the A Section but chose "Shule yetu yaenda mbele kwa upande wa masomo, oh liwaya" - Our school keeps progressing through education, oh come what may. As going to school is a privilege in East Africa, I use this line to remind the students with whom I work in the U.S. how privileged they are.

Kudos:

This arrangement and the Kenya Sing & Dance Choral Series would not be possible without the support of Dan LeJeune and James Musyoka. Dan has offered endless enthusiastic support for all of my musical endeavors since '93 and I am more than grateful for his transcriptions of these songs. Since '98, James has been my right hand in Wamunyu, arranging performances, helping me record and giving me all necessary language support. James is also the director of Kenya Connect (www.kenyaconnect.org), an NGO that we co-founded and which the sales of the Kenya Sing & Dance Choral Series helps to support.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Kenya
• Tim Gregory
• The Joy I Feel
• East African music
• East African choral music
• Kenyan Music
• Kenyan choral music
• Tanzania
• Tanzanian music
• Tanzanian choral music
• Swahili music
• Swahili songs