Kenyan multi-talented artist, Coster Ojwang, is gearing up for a significant performance at the “Kenny G, One Night Only” event in Nairobi on September 27th.
Known as “the fisherman” and “the ambassador of African music”, Ojwang’s journey is a compelling narrative of artistic dedication. It is deeply rooted in his upbringing in Migori and shaped by a conscious decision to pursue his passion over a career in medicine.
His upcoming EP, ‘Mbak Ndalo’, promises a deep dive into introspection and responsibility.
From Migori to Melodies
Coster Ojwang proudly embraces his identity as “the fisherman” due to his roots in Migori. He spent his entire childhood in the village, returning for a year after high school before moving to Nairobi.
He sees himself as one of the last generations to experience both authentic village and town life, influencing his art deeply.
Village life, with its “regular village life” and the “struggle for space” due to scarcity, holds significant importance in his work.
His current art series, “Stories of Days, “reimagines these past experiences.
“I’m one [the fisherman] coz I’m from Migori. I convinced myself that I’m one of the last people to have experienced the actual village life. And move to town and live the town life,” Ojwang said.
The Path Not Taken: A Doctor’s Dream Forgone
Despite strong academic credentials that could have led him to medical school, Ojwang chose a different path.
When asked if he wished he had become a doctor, he stated, “Thank God I wasn’t. The people I’ve met in life, I don’t wish I had become a doctor because I think my life turned out as interesting as I would never have hoped.”
This decision, he explains, came as “dreams change,” finding more fulfilment in the enriching experiences and people encountered.
‘Mbak Ndalo’: A Raw Exploration of Sound
Ojwang’s new EP, ‘Mbak Ndalo’, embodies a profound artistic shift. The project is an “introspection series” about the “weight I feel I carry as a creative”.
He is acutely aware of the “weight of responsibility” that comes with success. This prompts him to make his sounds “raw and true to me” before they reach his fans.
This means living life to gain “pure stories” for his music. The EP also pays “homage to the different sounds” that shaped him, moving from early influences like Nigerian music towards more “local and native stuff”. It is a playful exploration of sounds, including jazz and R&B.
One Night Only with Kenny G
Fans can anticipate a four-hour extensive performance from Coster Ojwang at the Kennedy event on September 27th. The show, titled “Kenny G, One Night Only,” promises a blend of jazz music and a “fusion of cultural music”.
Ojwang will be accompanied by saxophones, trumpets, keyboard, and his personal horn, alongside his powerful voice. Beyond the new EP, he is expected to perform “our favorites as well”.
The concert is brought to you by Stanbic Bank, the leader in vehicle asset financing, in collaboration with telecommunications giant Safaricom, with its exclusive Emerald package and EABL, the makers of Tanqueray and Tusker Malt, and powered by Radio Africa Events.
Tickets and Access
Early Bird Gold Ticket: KSh 8,500
Advanced Gold Ticket: KSh 10,000
Platinum Experience: Call +254 700 114 111 or email tickets@onenightonly.vip
Tickets are available now at ticketyetu.com.
Beyond Music: The Artist’s Canvas
Beyond his musical endeavours, Coster Ojwang is an accomplished painter, working from his studio where he also records music. Most artwork in his studio is his own.
He often paints people he has met, sometimes after dedicated photo shoots or by seeking consent for images.
Ojwang views painting and music not as separate hobbies requiring balance, but as different facets of creative expression. His artistic processes are deeply “intimate and personal”.
by moses sagwe
