New Feature Film Out in Uganda
The film stars Essence Kasozi, Dick Kitamike and Eddie Masanso and a rich supporting cast of Ugandan talent. Fully shot on location in Uganda, in Luganda with English subtitles, the film has been critically well received.
Look out for it. A brief trailer can be seen here.
Jazzmoss Returns
It's been a year since the Jazzmoss project's last outing. We have been busy with various individual and side projects. Now myself and Louisa Le Marchand [poet/singer] have come back to Jazzmoss. We are giving it a breath of life to come out for a one off performance at the London Jazz Festival this November. We will be performing at Charlton House SE7 on 18th Nov at 8pm, the original venue where the live leg of the project started off.The original line up is all there. Art Theman on tenor and soprano sax, Henry Lowther on trumpet, Trevor Tomkins on drums, Leran Donin on bass, myself on piano and Louisa on vocals and harmonica. There are backing vocals from guest Gill Swan. To know more of the background of Jazzmoss visit jazzmoss.net.
Whats New?
I am also doing some playing with Africa Jazz All Stars with whom I have a UK tour in October [see live dates]. We recently did Jazzfest Willisau in Switzerland - a nice warmup.
At the end of October the Jazzmoss project will be resurrected for some shows in November as part of the London Jazz festival so look out for dates.
In the meantime you can catch me live on Friday 11th at 1pm at the Royal Festival Hall Central Bar on the Southbank with Marafiki my small band with a big funky and bluesy sound. I will be doing solo material on this one. Later on the 13th I wll be with Cameroonian bass player Sam Djengue and later still with Rachel Magoola. [see live dates] I hope to see you there.
Live @ Rouge Kampala - Maurice Kirya Experience
Episode 6 Ready to View Online
RELAX, the sixth episode in my little live music vidcast is now up for viewing on youtube. Featuring Tanzanian musician/poet Freddy Macha, bassist Andre Mathurin from St Lucia and percussionist Trevor Antonio. Previous episodes can be viewed at www.kasozi.info.
I named it Relax because all the grooves are laid back and easy. Enjoy.
Live in Kampala This JUNE
On June 13th I will perform live at the progressive Bayimba International Music and Arts Festival. This will be my first performance in Uganda since a short tour in 1998 in which a fellow artist in our group was injured by a helicopter blade during a publicity stunt that went horribly wrong; we were robbed by the promoter who run off with the proceeds and I gave away some of my equipment as payment to unpaid musicians if only to save face! Needless to say, I came back from the trip flat broke vowing not to perform in UG again!!Well, it's been a decade, I am older and wiser and such is the lure of home that it's time to give it another try and Bayimba is a lovely festival at which to do that. During the festival, I will also host some music arrangement and production workshops and/or live music direction seminars. Time and content TBC.
I may perform with a full band MARAFIKI from the UK or a trio from UG; this also is TBC but either way the music will be sweet. I will have one or two special guests; tell you more soon.
See you there.
BAYIMBA Image at top used with permission.
New Village Video
This is a village music video of the song Ndingi Dance Ekomyewo from the album "Naked and Blue". The video was shot on location in a little village called Waluleeta in Wobulenzi, Uganda. Features dancer Jacinta who also doubled as choreographer.
I should really call it "old" because we shot it 2yrs ago and then I dropped it as I wasn't feeling it then; it wasn't as hardcore village as i wanted it but with time I have grown to accept it.lol
A BRIEF UPDATE
In the meantime, I have just finished work on a Ugandan sitcom pilot; working title - Not Anymore - clips of which I hope to put up soon.
On the music front; the live music vidcasts are going to resume in the next week with an episode featuring Tanzanian musician/poet/writer Freddy Macha and other guests. This was recorded way back in November 2008 but has been held back due to other projects that have been in the way. Additionally, there will be an online showing of video clips from my showcase from Dec 2008 which outlined the new band Marafiki.
Also I will be performing at some places in Uganda; venues and dates TBC and will hold some production/ arranging workshops/seminars at the Bayimba Festival in Kampala between 1st-14th June.
Jazzmoss Tour Finale
Episode 3 of the Live Music Vidcast
Episode three titled Ug Basics, is now available to watch at www.kasozi.info; the new domain which has been set up to direct you to it regardless of which method I may use to netcast it in the near future. So whether it's on Youtube, icast or whatever else, www.kasozi.info will get you to it.
This third episode was recorded in the week that coincides with the 46th independence anniversary of Uganda and so the music is slightly linked to this notion. Below is one song titled Gulu Town taken from the episode. To know more about the inspiration of this song, please visit www.guluwalk.com.
Live at the Gumboots Benefit Party
I had a great time with percussionist Trevor Antonio at the Gumboots benefit event this Thursday gone. We performed a few songs and the audience was lovely joining in with some gumboot dancing. There were other wonderful performances including a lovely opera singer, gumboot dancers and a world fusion hip-hop quartet. A beautiful charity night. Gumboots is a South African charity that has been providing help to disadvantaged children in South Africa. It has recently been granted charity status in the UK as well so their work can expand.
Here is a little video of us during one of the tunes which I switched a little to fit in with the night. It's a little dark but you get the idea. To know more about Gumboots please visit their site at www.gumboots.org.za
Kaz Kasozi on iLike - Add iLike to your MySpace
Live at the Gumboots Benefit Party
I had a great time with percussionist Trevor Antonio at the Gumboots benefit event this Thursday gone. We performed a few songs and the audience was lovely joining in with some gumboot dancing. There were other wonderful performances including a lovely opera singer, gumboot dancers and a world fusion hip-hop quartet. A beautiful charity night. Gumboots is a South African charity that has been providing help to disadvantaged children in South Africa. It has recently been granted charity status in the UK as well so their work can expand.
Here is a little video of us during one of the tunes which I switched a little to fit in with the night. It's a little dark but you get the idea. To know more about Gumboots please visit their site at www.gumboots.org.za
Kaz Kasozi on iLike - Add iLike to your MySpace
The Kaz Kasozi Vidcast Series in Episode 2
My little live music vidcast is picking up slowly with lovely guests sharing their talent with me giving thr little show some style. Below are both the two first episodes. To stay updated about the series, become a fan on
or find me on www.iLike.com and of course www.youtube.com/kazkasozi plus this site. So you have no excuse to miss it.
Vidcast Episode 2
Episode 2 of my little vidcast series is on its way, featuring special guest star Rachel Magoola from Uganda with whom I have recently collaborated for her new hot album Eisadha. She is renowned for her mix of traditional stuff with pop. Have a taster of what Magoola is about visit her site www,rachel magoola.com .
I will also be performing a Hindi classic and one of my Lutoro tunes. This will be a mellow but exciting snippet. Don't miss it & also tell a friend. In the meantime you can have taste of the series below.
Music is a universal language; lets talk.
Short Musical Film @ Portobello Film Festival
The short musical film Kwazze tekizzikayo is showing at the Portobello Film Festival on Thursday 28th August at Westbourne Studios, 242 Aklam RoadW10 5JJ. You can see the trailer at www.kyazze.ugarts.com Vidcast Sample
Kaz Kasozi Vidcast Ad
Tell a friend.
Starting 27th August '08.
Kaz Kasozi on iLike - Add iLike to your MySpace
Free mp3
I am giving away the first of many free mp3s though iLike, Facebook and Myspace. This track is called Ug and it was a demo acappella rendition I made while I was working out an advert to promote the innaugral Ugandan PAM awards in 2001 it quickly developed into a full song and so was never used; they didn't like it but I think it's nice and it represents the beauty of Ug.
Take it and pass it on to your friends; later you will also get the full version titled U.G.A.N.D.A with actual instrumentation. Don't forget my iCast gigs start on the 27th August. You can see them on Facebook and Youtube too.
Kaz.
Short Performances For The Net
There are going to be small short acoustic performances on the net posted primarily on Kaz's new musician page on Facebook using both iCast and Youtube. These will start on the Wednesday 27th August and will continue periodically. A new way to get live perfomances to existing fans and to new audiences.
You are invited to be a fan and to be informed of when these icasts will occur. Just become a fan on
Jazzmoss UK Tour Underway
The collaborative work, Jazzmoss is now on general release in the UK from Discovery Records Ltd and can be found in all good record stores. This release has been followed up by a UK promotional tour that kicked off on 4th July and will run until the end of October. Check out jazzmoss.net .
Rachel Magoola's latest album
Kaz has just completed work on Ugandan singer Rachel Magoola's latest album Eisadha. Work on the album began back in 2005 and was shelved before continuing in 2007 with brief sessions in Kampala, Uganda and final completion in London. It is a diverse piece of work which brings Magoola's music to new depths. Sample it at her site rachelmagoola.com .
Kaz on African Rough Guide Compilation
Kaz's song "Nkukyaye" appears on a dynamic new release. African Street Party is a new compilation album released by World Music Network as part of their Rough Guide series. The album feature varous African artists and bands with vibrant music. Check it out here . "Nkukyaye" is taken off Kaz's Naked and Blue album, now available on the MHK lable through cdbaby .
Best New UK Jazz Album Nomination
Jazzmoss Collaboration
www.jazzmoss.net
Of course the Naked and Blue album is also still available here too following the link below.
Songs and Pictures can be Accessed Quicker With New Widget
Screening Kyazze Tekizzikayo
The short African musical film Kyazze Tekizzikayo, directed by Kaz, is to be screened at Rich Mix cinema as part of the Met Flix exhibition of new innovative films from the London Met. The program will start at 6:30pm on 29-NOV-07 and will run until 10pm. If in London, do not miss this showing of new vibrant films by new promising filmmakers.
Address: Rich Mix 35-47 Bethnal Green Rd., London E1. View Map
For more about Kyazze Tekizzikayo visit http://kyazze.zikosapictures.com
Kaz Prepares for Blue Magma Completion
The album will be released by independent label MHK and will be available from iTunes, Pay Play and Cdbaby among other download and mail order stores. Release dates will be announced soon. Below are some Kaz tunes that you can enjoy in the meantime. You can also embed these tunes in your own site by clicking on share to get the code.
NEW Essence Kasozi Album
Jazzmoss Coming out on 15/10/07
The long awaited Jazz album Jazzmoss by Louisa Le Marchand and Kaz is out on 15/10/07 on the Global Fusion label. It features some of the best names in British Jazz such as Art Theman on Saxophone, Trevor Tomkins on drums, Henry Lowther on trumpet, Jim Mullen on guitar and other great players such as Mix Amylo, Ed Williams and Liran Donin. Audio samples are available at www.jazzmoss.net . Songs by Louisa Le Marchand and music by Kaz Kasozi.
A special free live showcase will take place on 14/10/07 at Charlton house, SE7. 1pm - 3pm with wine and cheese. Not to be missed if you love Jazz.
Final Touches for "Ansudde Ddalu"
Kaz has finally completed work as producer and arranger on Essence Kasozi's Ansudde Ddalu which is out on 21/09/07. The album features a mix of styles from Afro-pop to traditional sounds and dance tunes. You may have a listen to it at Essence's official myspace page .Music Director For Rachel Magoola
Kaz will be acting as music director for Rachel Magoola's show in San Francisco at the UNNA Convention ver the last weekend of August. Do not miss this exciting show with magoola's music rearraged to new vibrant and punchy rhythms. Check www.unaasanfrancisco.com for details.
Kaz is also working on music for Rachel's upcoming new album; keep your ear on the ground.
Short Film Screening At the National Theatre Kampala
A short musical film, Kyazze Tekizzikayo, is to be screened on Thursday 5th June at the National Theatre in Kampala to a preview audience of artists and other interested parties to garner interest in development of a longer feature.
The 20 minute film was directed by Kaz Kasozi and written by Essence Kasozi based on the Walumbe myths from the Kintu and Nambi legend of the Baganda people of Uganda.
For more about the film visit http://kyazze.zikosapictures.com.
New Short Film Completed
Kaz has completed a short film known as "Kyazze Tekizzikayo". The short film was screened at the London Metropolitan University as part of the b-39 Digital Media Exhibition. More is available about the film at http://kyazze.zikosapictures.com. The film will be shown at various short film festivals that will be announced shortly.
Jazzmoss in Post-production
Video For Ugandan Singer Essence
Jazzmoss Record With Louisa Le Marchand
Sessions are lined up with legendary performers such as British Jazz drummer Trevor Tomkins, guitarist Jim Mullen, Sax player Art Theman and trumpeter Henry Lauder among others with music arrangements written by Kaz and songs and lyrics by Louisa.
Jazzmoss is slated for release in 2007. More information will be available at the Jazzmoss site nearrer the time.
Post-production complete on Essence "Obugambo bwo" video
Recording Maurice Kirya
Kaz Travels Back to Uganda to Complete Documentary
Prominent Ugandan musicians such as Moses Matovu of Afrigo and Rachel Magoola appear in the documentary alongside new talents such as Tshila.
The documentary is a filmic essay on the state of Ugandan music in the current fast pace of technological change.
During his trip to Uganda, Kaz started the process of building a recording studio in his hometown. The project is still at the planning stage although most of the necessary equipment has already been shipped from the UK.
The studio is called The Sound Kitchen same as the mobile facility that Kaz operates in London.
Busking Documentary "Footnotes"
The film was shot very quickly in 4 days over 4 weeks and features reknowned Israeli singer /songwriter Hadar and her band among others. DVD copies are available free for study upon request from Zikosa Pictures.
Kaz Started Production On A Documentary About The Development Of Ugandan Music
A new documentary which has been in the pipe line for the past three years finally began production this August. Kaz, who initiated the idea and is the director of the project went to Uganda for four weeks where research and actual filming began after having raised funds enough to initiate the project.
The documentary will look at traditional instruments all the way to modern western instruments and recording processes as used in Ugandan music production and entertainment.
Further filming will take place later in the year.
Any Ugandan artists, traditional instrument makers, impressarios, and all that are involved in music making or selling that would like to be involved in the documentary are invited to contact kaz.
2005 ARCHIVE Kaz's New Album "Naked & Blue" Is Released. Kaz's new album Naked & Blue ; a story of love and hate, was released on-line on Monday 28 / Feb / 2005 and is available to buy from this site . The long awaited album was recorded and mixed back in 2000/2001 but release was delayed by other projects. Naked & Blue includes songs in Luganda (a Ugandan language) and English and crosses styles from funk & soul to afro-ethnic sounds. This genre defying work covers a wide scope in musical styles while maintaining a unified sound. The album was produced using real instruments with minimal processing to cultivate an organic sound. Kaz's skills as a multi-intrumentalist weave a rich sound canvas, creating a true world fusion work; he plays 11 intruments on this record. The self produced album was recorded & mixed at Global Fusion Studios, London with additional mixing at Cherry's Den [Sound Kitchen], London and mastered at West Street Studios, Buckingham. Naked and Blue is available on-line at itunes, Madheadkitchen.com, Cdbaby.com, kasozi.com and in select world music shops in the UK.Kaz together with colleague Louisa Le Marchand have designed a series of film workshops in the Greenwich borough of London.
A film training project run in the form of hands on workshops is currently running in Kidbrook East London. A short ten minute movie will be screened at the end of the project which has been named 'Broken Trust'.
The project is to teach youths of ages 18 to 25 in the fundamental areas of film production. It has included script writing, story-boarding, camera operation, editing, writing music for film and professional DVD authoring. By the end of the training, the students will have participated in various roles involved in film production and a short documentary of the project itself will be produced by Louisa Le Marchand.
The project has been aided by Greenwhich Council and SELF and has used full broadcast equipment has been employed. You may view more about the project at brokentrust.com.
Interested parties should contact gfmatraining@yahoo.co.uk or globalfusionarts@breathe.com for more details.
