The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
Ugandan singer, songwriter to perform
Concert by Kinobe set for Sunday at mActivity
NEW HAVEN — If you’re tired of the same old stuff, Ugandan singer and songwriter Kinobe (pronounced chi-no-bay) will be playing some music you may never have heard before today at an East Rock Concert Series show at mActivity.
Beyond being something new (unless you’re already a dyed-in-the-wool Kinobe fan), his music also has been described by Zina Sarowiwa of the BBC as “some of the most exquisite music coming out of Africa today.”
Showtime is 7 p.m. with doors opening at 6:30. Thabisa, a South Africaborn folk singer who now makes her home in New Haven, will open the show. Tickets are $20 in advance at mactivity.com or fernando pintopresents.com,, or $25 at the door. mActivity is at 285 Nicoll St.
Kinobe, a multi-instrumentalist — and, according to his website, philanthropist — is currently on a solo tour of North America, according to his website.
Born in Uganda near Lake Victoria, Kinobe fuses African roots and global fusion music.
His first international performance was in the Netherlands at the age of 10 with his school ensemble.
By age 21 he had visited several countries in Africa, studying and playing with celebrated musicians including Toumani Diabate, Youssou Ndour, Salif Keita, Angelique Kidjo, Oliver Mtukudzi and Baaba Maal.
Over the years, he has performed in concerts and workshops all over the world.
Kinobe is a World Ambassador for the Harmony Foundation of Canada, supporting the foundation’s work for environmental protection and social development to improve the lives of children and their families around the world.
In 2013, sponsored by Harmony Foundation, he recorded a CD Searching for Survival, an expression of hope that people around the world can work together to make the world a healthier, more peaceful place to live.
He has also campaigned with UNICEF to support education for girls and works extensively with schools and communities around the world on various outreach and education programs.