Udulele

“Father of Soulfubenga, and “Katingwati,” Rhythm/Bassline Groove Master.”

Udulele John is an award winning singer, songwriter, producer, multi- instrumentalist and audio engineer. He is popularly known as the father of Soulful Benga & Kantingwati rhythm/groove - a soundscape which acts as the foundation for the studio he co-founded known as Bengatronics based in Nairobi. His musical expression can be described as Soulful Benga blended with layers of percussive sounds drawn out from the vast diversities of East African instrumentation. His creative form unfolds from digging and unearthing underground sounds and transforming them into a new expression. Udulele experiments with futuristic formats - giving an Afro-futurism feel to his music. In 2023, Udulele released his second solo project, a 3-track EP Ololokwe. “ It is a project that explores the intersection of indigenous sounds, nature, people, cultural stories and science. The album seeks to create healing, peaceful and harmonious existence for all people.”

Selected projects and performances

‘2023 - 2024 - Upendo Beach House Residency - Zanzibar, Tanzania

2023 - Raw & Live Concert: Ololokwe Edition - Nairobi, Kenya

2023 - Sunset Sessions - Peponi Hotel - Lamu, Kenya

2023 - Kipepeo Agency World Music Day Event - Nairobi, Kenya

2022 - Udulele & Apio Live Band - Lamu, Kenya

2022 - Sunday Sundown Sessions - Nairobi, Kenya

2022 - Rabuko Sessions - Nairobi, Kenya

2022 - Soulful Benga & Afroelectric Folk, Alliance Francaise - Nairobi, Kenya

2022 - Goethe Institute-Acoustic Concert - Kigali,Rwanda

2022 - Festival Sica - Bujumbura, Burundi

2022 - Bayimba Festival of the Arts 14th Ed. - Kampala, Uganda

2022- Dagos Soul Kitchen - Nairobi, Kenya

2022 - Usanii Sessions - Nairobi, Kenya

2022 - Fete De La Musique - Nairobi, Kenya

2022 - Raw & Live -Nairobi , Kenya

2022 - Naam Festival Fundraiser -Nairobi , Kenya

2022 - Balladin Club- Zanzibar

2022 - JUMATANO GROOVE Alliance Francaise- Arusha, Tanzania

2022 - UNDUGU MTAANI FESTIVAL-

2022 - Usanii Kenya Launch-Nairobi

2021 - LA MALINDINA GALA Dinner- Malindi

2021 - Festival Sonidos Desde Tu Ventana- Colombia

2021 - Raw & Live Streaming Concert

2021 - FlipFlopi Naam- Lolwe Festival- Kisumu

2020-Spin For Kids (Artists For Kibera)- Nairobi

2020 -People Dialogue Festival - Kenya

2020 - KAN Festival- Arusha, Tanzania

Accolades

2022 - Curator of Monthly “Raw and Live Experience” at Two Grapes, Nairobi

2021 - Composer for Ozymandias Video Game Score Launched in 2021

2019 - Music Director of “Kiunga” album produced by African Crossroads

2015 - Co- Founder of Bengatronics

2012 - Co- Founder of Abakisimbi Kenyan Percussions Troupe

Awards

2021 - Winner of Latin America Green Award for "Piny Maru" composition in "Ventanas, Vol. 2" (Museum for the UN & Voz Terra- Colombia)

2011 - Winner of World Musician Songwriting Competition as bassist in Mutinda