Kenyan Boys Choir
Kenyan Boys Choir |
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The Kenyan Boys Choir is an African traditional and contemporary male voice choir based in the city of Nairobi, Kenya.
Background
The Kenyan Boys Choir consists of 25 school boys, aged between 13 and 24, from various Kenyan backgrounds and tribes, brought together by their self-taught founder, Joseph Muyale. Formerly an independent collective, the choir gained widespread recognition and international media coverage in early 2009 after performing at Barack Obama's inauguration ceremony in Washington, D.C.[1]. On their way back to Nairobi they were intercepted by Universal Music Group representatives waiting for them at Heathrow Airport in London and were signed in the departure lounge to Decca Records as they waited for their connecting flight[2].
The choir was originally started in 1998 in order to help boys from underprivileged backgrounds raise money to pay for their school fees. Primarily performing material which embraces traditional Masai and Samburu chants (transcribed personally by Muyale), the choir also embrace contemporary African and European classical pieces.
Their debut record, titled Spirit Of Africa, is due to be released on the 29 June 2009.
Discography
- Spirit Of Africa (Decca Records, 2009)
References
- ^ Telegraph Online The Kenyan Boys Choir: Obama's dream team Accessed: June 23, 2009
- ^ BBC National News Obama's Kenyan choir signs deal Accessed: June 23, 2009