Kajowola Phiri

Kajowola Phiri is a gospel music composer from Malawi. He was born in a family of musicians. His music compositions are sung in Chichewa, Chitumbuka and English languages. He began composing music in 1980 after learning how to read and write music. Back then, he would compose his own tunes and play them using a guitar. Between 1986 and 1987, he joined friends Willie Soko, Alick Chirwa and Jimmy Kapindu. The foursome fused their talents and composed a number of songs. He went solo and began composing his songs.

In 1989, his music composition ‘Ha! Nako Nkhunowa' came first at the Bible Society of Malawi Music Composition. The competition ran under the theme: 'The Word of God Sweeter than Honey’. His other compositions 'Ambuye Wathu' (1990) and 'Ulemelero' (Glory) (1992) featured in the same competition. They took the second and third positions respectively.

In 1990, his composition 'Ukazuzi Ntha Nguweni' came second in a competition organized by the Department of Fine and Performing Arts of Chancellor College. In 1991, his composition ‘Edzi Njoopsa’ (AIDS is Deadly) came third position at the same competition organized by Chancellor College.

His compositions are performed by several choirs in the country. These include the Malawi Nyimbo Ensemble, the University of Malawi under the Department of the Fine and Performing Arts, The St Columba Church Choir, The Michiru Youth Choir, the Blantyre Joint Choir and the Mpachika Youth Choir all from the City of Blantyre just to mention a few.

Besides composing church choral music, he has composed several jingles for organizations such as Population Services International (PSI Malawi) for their Malaria and HIV/Aids Prevention Projects.

With over 40 choral compositions to his credit, Kajowola is currently working on compiling his compositions into a book.