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Parapanda
Music
 London-based
parapanda are celebrating Africa in music. Parapanda means ‘trumpet’
in Kiswahili. Earlier this year, three Ugandans teamed in the
UK to trumpet the message that Africa’s cultural music was alive.
“Our prayer is that Africa’s unique art, sounds, rhythms and
dance shall reach all peoples of the world with the power to
impart, reveal and spread Jesus’ name in every nation,” says
Isaiah Katumwa, an acclaimed saxophonist.
The other two are Sheila, Isaiah’s wife, a vocalist; and John
Bashengezi (Bash), a guitarist. The trio is born-again Christians.
They recorded an album, Celebrate Africa, in a London studio.
It was released recently and is on sale. Bash, the in-charge
of Kampala Pentecostal Church Worship Band, says preparations
are underway for the group to launch its album in Uganda come
December.
Celebrate Africa, an eight-track album, comprises rhythms from
South, West, Central and East Africa, fused to create music
representative of Africa. This is accentuated by a myriad of
languages including Kiswahili, English, French, Lingala and
Luganda.
Much as the album portrays African patriotism, it does not lose
it is basic gospel message — celebrating the Lord through praise
and dance. Their songs include Tumulaalase, Celebrate, Every
Halleluyah, Engule, We’ve Come to Worship, Deep Is Your Love,
No Need To Cry and Jesus Is Here.
Katumwa was labelled “Uganda’s sax wizard” at the age of 20.
He plays the saxophone and traditional folk instruments. He
has worked with Eagles Production, Mariam Ndagire, Juliana Kanyomozi,
Fred Sebatta and Afrigo Band. He has shared a stage with global
artistes like Phil Driscoll and Mike Aremu, Nigeria’s leading
saxophonist.
Sheila is a worship leader at Miracle Centre Cathedral, Rubaga.
Her experience in song writing, vocal production and harmonies
enriches Celebrate Africa. She sings with London Community Gospel
Choir and is the founder of Music in the House, an organisation
dedicated to the mentoring praise and worship leaders in the
UK.
Bashengezi, a Congolese, is a top guitarist in Uganda. He works
with the Watoto Children’s Choir and is one of their songwriters.
He has played with Wenge Musika, a Congolese band, and shared
a stage with Cece Winans and Michael Smith.
By
Sebidde Kiryowa
New Vision
Order
this CD
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