List Of Artists To Perform In 'Women In Music' Concert

The popular concert series that showcases Kenyan female musicians is back after a two-year hiatus. Kenyan Jazz Musician, Christine Kamau, has partnered with the Music In Africa Foundation, to present 'Women In Music Concert Series - September Edition.

The concert will be held at the Kenya National Theatre on Friday, September 16, 2022, and will feature performances by Njerae, Akoth Jumadi, Lisa Oduor-Noah, and Fena Gitu.

The show seeks to promote women in performing arts by providing an avenue for them to showcase their original music compositions and stage performance skills. The concert is part of Music In Africa Live, a grant for music industry projects on the African continent supported by the German Federal Foreign Office, Siemens Stifting, and Goethe Institute.

A poster of the Women In Music concert. /COURTESY

Women In Music Concert Series began in 2016 with regular shows being held at the Nairobi Goethe Institute and has so far featured over 30 female musicians including popular artists like Nikita Kering, Atemi, Chemutai Sage, and Mayonde among others.

“It has been our ultimate goal to put up a high-quality live-music production and I am delighted that our efforts have gained recognition from international cultural stakeholders whose partnership has enabled us to put together this event that I believe adds value to the Kenyan creative industry," concert founder, Christine Kamau, said.

The concert evening promises to provide an exciting amalgamation of Acoustic, Afro-fusion, RnB, and Pop music flavours for lovers of live music in the city.

Artist Line-Up

Njerae

Her stage performances have been described as engaging and electrifying. A Singer/Songwriter from Nairobi, Kenya, she has hit singles such as Pressure and Tuthi Nawe featuring Charisma. With her ability to use music to story tell, she is able to take her listeners on a nostalgic journey.

Njerae has performed at a number of corporate and creative stages including Tetrapak International’s 60^th Anniversary at the Villa Rosa Kempinski in Nairobi and at the 2018 Africa Nouveau Festival.

Akoth Jumadi

Jumadi is an architect of the future who crafts her ethereal, dulcet sound with honeyed vocals and multi-instrumental talent. Her uplifting air will enthral you as she weaves together Luo folk, afro-soul, tribal fusion, jazz, taarab, benga, reggae, and hip-hop.

Born and raised in Nairobi of Luo ancestry, Akoth Jumadi started playing at 17 years of age at Maseno University in Kisumu when a friend loaned her an extra guitar. She gained experience from a veteran guitarist and also started teaching herself to play and began to write her own music, practising and gaining the courage to start performing.

Lisa Oduor-Noah

Kenyan singer-songwriter and producer Lisa Oduor-Noah was introduced to music through her family's penchant for different musical genres which fed into her deep love for music and passion for performance. The soulful, silky-voiced singer boasts a resume filled with partnerships with famous local acts such as Blinky Bill, Kato Change, June Gachui, and Sauti Sol, as well as performances on stages such as Coke Studio Africa, The Global Citizen, and the Shanghai Jazz festival to name few.

A Berklee College of Music graduate, Oduor-Noah hopes that through her performances, she can be an agent of hope, healing, and restoration while creating wholehearted moments of connection.

Lisa Oduor-Noah performing at a past concert. /COURTESY

Fena Gitu

Fena has over the years performed on world-class stages such as Blankets & Wine, Koroga Festival, Safaricom Twaweza Live, and shared stages with international acts such as Rick Ross, Wizkid, Davido, Tiwa Savage, and Sauti Sol among others.

Backed by The Dynamiques, an eight-piece band, Fena is well sought after to bring great energy, and soulful vibes to the stage, leaving fans thoroughly entertained and uplifted, and converting new fans around the world.