Douglas Mwamba

Douglas Mwamba is an architect, afro- jazz artiste(pianist) and all-round creative from Kenya. His love for the arts began in his formative years, where he dabbled in different forms of art from still life drawings, paintings, and dance until he discovered music. Growing up, Mwamba listened to a wide array of music from traditional Benga music, to RnB, Hip-hop to Neo-soul, until Jazz became his most dominant genre. Jazz stood out because it was unique, and the different elements constantly piqued his interest, with the music evoking feelings of calmness and excitement. As he delved deep into the genre, he started to understand chords, vocals, composition, arrangement etc. Jazz inspirations ranged from, Local Artists and international, such as Aaron Rimbui, Jacob Asiyo, Nairobi Horns Project, to African Legends such as Moses Molelekwa, Afrika Mkhize, Hugh Masekela. Internationally he looks up to Oscar Peterson, Shai Maestro, Chic Corea, Herbie hancock, Charlie Parker to Miles Davis.

Mwamba’s current sound is a fusion of afro-contemporary, alternative, jazz. The essence of his sound comes from a strong belief, that life like music is journey of endless growth, and can only be experienced by living it fully. His debut album is called Dawn in the CRADLE, and the album is about Life as this endless journey of growth with no particular destination, but enhanced by courage and optimism. Being a conceptual album, it simply gives tales about emotion and feelings a new life goes through in order to make sense of existence.