Jackson Wahengo

Born in 1978 in Ndola, Zambia, Jackson Wahengo is Europe-based Afro-pop artist from Namibia. The artist spent his childhood in Angola and Congo (Brazzaville). His passion for music began when he was young - Jackson would play the guitar and sing freedom songs for his country while in the refugee camps of Angola. He came to Namibia in 1990 when the country gained its independence.

The artist enrolled at University of Cape Town (UCT), where he studied to become jazz guitarist. In 2012, he released his debut album, ‘Akutu Hewa’, which was facilitated by the Namibian National Arts Council and the Swiss Cultural Cooperation Office, Artlink. In 2014, he released ‘Eeloli’, a song that celebrates Nanghili Nashima’s strength, creativity and impact on Namibia’s traditional music.

From 2008 to 2015, he was based in Geneva, Switzerland. He is currently based in Copenhagen, Denmark. The artist has played with numerous bands in Namibia, South Africa and Europe. He has also performed at the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland. In April 2015, he performed at the Harare International Festival of the Arts (HIFA) in Zimbabwe. His music is a fusion of urban, jazz, rumba, zouk and reggae. He sings in Oshiwambo and his lyrics reflect traditional Namibian society and politics. His band members include Swiss musicians Andrew Fluckiger (drums), Manu Gesseney (saxophone) and Timothy Verdesca (bass) as well as French guitarist Cyril Moulas.