A Platform for Ethnically and Culturally Inspired Music
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Guitarist and singer Ndala Kasheba first came to Tanzania with Fauvette, a band from Congo, in 1964. He was active in the Dar es Salaam scene ever since then. In the 1970s, he led the famous "Orchestra Safari Sound." He then created his own group "Zaita Musica," all the while maintaining A-list status in Tanzania. Ndala Kasheba passed away in 2004. In Dar es Salaam, he is still known as the Maestro Supreme.
"A big pengo, a gap, an emptiness still remains in the lives of his family, fans, and fellow musicians that has not been filled. He would explain, 'Ndala in Tanzania means sandals, like the ones you wear to the bathroom - everybody has a pair close to them - so it means everybody has my music in their heart. My spirit resonates with Ndala.'"
He was a self-taught musician. In fact, he even had his own tuning. In an interview shortly before he died, he explained, "Other guitarists are tuning in E. Me, I am tuning in D. My open number is D." He didn't handle a guitar until he was twelve. By the time he was 17, his name as a guitar player started to spread. His father gave him his blessing - "If you can provide the best of yourself, you will be a good artist, you'll be respected, you'll get a name and be popular. Go ahead. Music is a nice profession, but be smart because all those people who are going to see you are very smart. When you are walking, look straight forward, because people are watching you, because you are a star and you have a name. Go forward, because if you turn to watch them, you will fall. Take my words, my son, go ahead, good luck. Kwisha." Kasheba followed his father's advice - he provided the best of himself, and the rest followed.
- Muhidin Issa Michuzi, Friday, October 21, 2005 - click to read the full article
"A big pengo, a gap, an emptiness still remains in the lives of his family, fans, and fellow musicians that has not been filled. He would explain, 'Ndala in Tanzania means sandals, like the ones you wear to the bathroom - everybody has a pair close to them - so it means everybody has my music in their heart. My spirit resonates with Ndala.'"
He was a self-taught musician. In fact, he even had his own tuning. In an interview shortly before he died, he explained, "Other guitarists are tuning in E. Me, I am tuning in D. My open number is D." He didn't handle a guitar until he was twelve. By the time he was 17, his name as a guitar player started to spread. His father gave him his blessing - "If you can provide the best of yourself, you will be a good artist, you'll be respected, you'll get a name and be popular. Go ahead. Music is a nice profession, but be smart because all those people who are going to see you are very smart. When you are walking, look straight forward, because people are watching you, because you are a star and you have a name. Go forward, because if you turn to watch them, you will fall. Take my words, my son, go ahead, good luck. Kwisha." Kasheba followed his father's advice - he provided the best of himself, and the rest followed.
- Muhidin Issa Michuzi, Friday, October 21, 2005 - click to read the full article
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