MEET: DANIEL OKORIR A MASTER OF LIVE MUSIC AND AFRICAN INSTRUMENTALS.
Daniel Okiror had barely started on his journey of creating a unique & true Ugandan genre by fusing roots instruments especially Akogo, Adungu, Adeudeu, Edodoi, Arigirigi, & African drums/percussion with modern/western instruments, mainly acoustic and base guitar, saxophone & Keys when he took a radical global minded step of pursuing his vision beyond the boarders, resulting to him becoming a Mombasa Kenya resident.
Originally from Eastern Uganda, Daniel Okiror's musical roots can be traced back to the age of 3, when he first made a song called Papa Ijaka (Father...who will help me). From then on it was clear that his musical journey was going to be influenced by his experiences growing up as an orphan and indeed, this painful experience soon found an outlet in music and a strong desire to give back to the community. This makes him a unique kind of musician who uses his talent, time and resources to help African street children find a hopeful future!
He is both self and professionally taught. Inspired by special community events like ekembe, amongin and ebuda/Ajosi festivals, he self-taught himself to play the akoogo/Kalimba, a pentatonic percussive and melodic folk instrument performed by his Teso tribal group on his own as well as the Adungu also known us Egyptian bowharp. He later on Joined music school co-currently with social science school getting a double award of a bachelor’s degree and a diploma in these respective fields. Today Okiror is a multi-instrumental, multilingual contemporary artist and a master of project planning and management
With 3 albums to his title (One lover 2009, Light in Africa 2012, Emuria Koliai 2014), Daniel Okiror has made a round world musical tour of Kenya, Israel, Ethiopia, Uganda, Netherlands, USA and to start with South Korea, successfully creating a musical genre we never expected! He sometimes refers to it as AFROTESO Sound, which is a fusion of jazz, pop and blues with very authentic African melodies and rhythms. His fans sometimes call him the Fela Kuti of East Africa and the Male Suzanna Owiyo!
His latest album “Emuria Koliai” sees him working with Melissa Asali, Olith Rateggo and Olova Makadem, all rising stars of Afro-fusion music in Kenya.
Other than Music, he established an organization named Wana Wa Mola, which rehabilitates street children. He also has a record label, Pure Aroma which provides a creative outlet for the street children, and from which he promotes African Music and Film.
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