Giovanni Kiyingi

Giovanni Kiyingi, is a Ugandan folk singer-songwriter and world music artist. He is known for his skills as a multi-instrumentalist who plays the local Ugandan fiddle (endingidi), akogo, adungu, guitar, harmonica, flute, djembe, calabash, congas, drums, and maracas, among others.^[1][2] He was one of the Ugandan artists chosen to welcome Pope Francis to Uganda at Kololo on 27 November 2015.

Giovanni Kiyingi
Birth name	Giovanni Kiyingi
Born	(1991-06-03) 3 June 1991 (age 32)
Origin	Kampala, Uganda
Genres	World music, Afro Fusion, African folk music
Occupation(s)	Singer-songwriter, musician
Instrument(s)	Endingidi, Vocals, The Janzi, Adungu, Akogo, Madiinda, guitar, harmonica, flute, Djembe, Calabash, congas, maracas
Years active	2008–present

His skill as a multi-instrumentalist, vocalist and performer have won him invitations to perform at major music festivals and co-operative events in Uganda and the rest of the world.^[3] He won an invitation to perform at a landmark yoga event in India dubbed "The unveiling of a 112 foot tall face of the Adiyogi Shiva– the source of yoga'".^[4]

Personal life

Giovanni, during his interview with Chimpreports, Kiyingi confirmed that he quit school for a year to concentrate on music.^[5]

Discography

Albums

Amakondeere

• Released: 2016
• Format: CD
• Writer: Giovanni Kiyingi
• Bonus tracks: 2
• Singles: Nkwesuunga, Amakondeere

Joy of an African (Esanyu Ly'omufilika)

• Released: 2010
• Format: CD
• Writer: Giovanni Kiyingi
• Producer: Jude Mugerwa
• Director: Giovanni Kiyingi
• Tracks: Joy of an African(Esanyu ly'omufilika), Ssegamwenge,Asante, Omwana W'afilika, Ekyaalo Mpala, Ekibbobo, Kanyimbe, Omukisa Omulala, Omumuli, Naasiwa Mukange
• Bonus tracks: 2
• Singles: Joy of an African(Esanyu ly'omufilika), Omwana W'afilika

Live performances

Kiyingi has performed at music festivals around the world alongside performers like Tanzania's Alikiba at the 2016 Blankets and Wine festival,^[6][7] Kora Awards winner Suzan Kerunen, multiple award winner Maurice Kirya, Myco Ouma, Jemimah Sanyu,Jude Mugerwa, Kinobe Herbert at the Pearl Rhythm Festival 2012, Okello Lawrence and Joel Sebunjo at DOADOA 2014, Brian Mugenyi at the Utam Festival in Kenya in 2015, the father of ethno jazz Mulatu Astatke at Jazz Village Ethiopia, Harry Lwanga, Ssali Muserebende, Kenya's Makadem,^[8] Afrigo Band, and Sarabi band.

He has performed at festivals such as the Bayimba International Festival, Pearl Rhythm Festival, the Milege World Music Festival,^[9] Santuri Safari Projects,^[10] the Kenyatta University Cultural Exchange, DOADOA,^[11][12] the Irimba Cultural Festival in Arusha, Tanzania, headlined at the Utam Festival – Kenya in 2015, Laba Festival of the Arts in 2016,^[13][14][15] the African Jazz Village, and the Sondeka Festival in Kenya.^[16][17]

He performed at the Blankets and Wine Festival in September 2016 at Lugogo alongside South Africa's Mafikizolo.^[18][19][20] Giovanni performed with Ssewa Ssewa at 2017 World Music Day at the French school in Kampala, collaborating on each other's original songs.

See also

• List of Ugandan musicians
• Ruyonga
• Undercover Brothers Ug
• Milege
• Afrigo Band
• Haka Mukiga

References

1. "Kahirimbanyi's Kahiri lands without hitch". The Observer Ug. Retrieved 3 March 2015.
2. "Giovanni Kremer Kiyingi". thisisuganda.org. This is Uganda.
3. "Thursday Nite Live Featuring Makadem(KE) & Giovanni Kiyingi (UG) at Choices Pub and Restaurant". kenyabuzz. Kenya Buzz.
4. "This week's Beat: Uganda hosts Masekela Previous Story Image Image Katy Perry skeletons resemble Trump, May... Next Story Uganda's Giovanni to perform at yoga event in India". New Vision. Retrieved 23 February 2017.
5. "Profiles / Interview: I Quit School for 1 Year to Concentrate on Music – Ugandan Musician". chimpreports. Chimpreports. Retrieved 1 August 2015.
6. Odeke, Stephen (15 December 2016). "Alikiba: It would be pleasure to work with a Ugandan artiste". New Vision. Retrieved 15 December 2016.
7. "An Alikiba affair at Blankets & Wine Kampala". New Vision. 20 December 2016. Retrieved 20 December 2016.
8. "Rooftop Sundowner with Makadem (KE) ft Giovanni (UG)". hangout.co.ke. hangout.co.ke. Retrieved 16 May 2017.
9. "Milege festival turns chilly Entebbe warm". Daily Monitor Ug. Monitor Publications Ltd, Uganda. Retrieved 29 November 2014.
10. "Giovanni Kremer Kiyingi:Follow Giovanni on his channels". Santuri Safari.
11. "Rwandan artistes for Doadoa festival next month". The New Times. Retrieved 17 April 2017.
12. "East African DJ Collective Santuri Safari's Uganda Exclusives". okayafrica.com. Okay Africa. Retrieved 20 August 2015.
13. "Uganda: Giovanni Restores Hope for Local Folklore Music". All Africa. Retrieved 15 June 2016.
14. "Acts that stood out at LaBa 2016". Daily Monitor. Retrieved 18 June 2016.
15. "MUSICIANS 2016". Laba Festival Blog.
16. "Night of fun and explosive talent at the Sondeka festival: PHOTOS". Nation Media Kenya. Nation Media Kenya. Retrieved 12 September 2015.
17. "Giovanni Kiyingi to showcase his multi-instrumentalist skills at the 14th Edition of Blankets and Wine". Proggie Ug. Retrieved 13 September 2016.
18. "Nigerian comedian Basketmouth in Kampala". New Vision. Retrieved 28 September 2016.
19. "Blankets & Wine: Giovanni Kiyingi To Showcase His Multi-Instrumentalist Skills". oops.ug. Retrieved 8 September 2016.
20. "Giovani kiyingi is set for a concert". Ug Celebrity. Retrieved 9 September 2016.

External links