Nva K’la

James Ssewakiryanga Jr is a multi-instrumentalist from Kampala who performs as Ssewa Ssewa. His principal instrument is the janzi, which he invented himself. It is a variation of the traditional adungu harp from northern Uganda. His instrument has its own tonality and uniquely combines both diatonic and pentatonic scales – something unusual in Ugandan music. Among other plucked, bowed and percussive instruments he also plays akogo -Ugandan thumb piano – as well as the Zimbabwean mbira and madinda (wooden xylophone).

Ssewa Ssewa has a pleasantly smooth voice, singing partly in English, and his vocals blend nicely with the generally gentle and soothing nature of the instrumentation. Bass, drums and electric guitar accompany the more up-tempo songs and it is particularly impressive how the modern rhythm section seamlessly fits with the organic instrumentation. There is a fine blend of traditional instruments and contemporary African pop in ‘We Groove’ and ‘Mwagala’ is a great reggae song praising his wife.