AfricArise

12/17/2024

"It took a little while for the world to notice, but South Africa has produced a generation of brilliant jazz musicians...creating a truly African jazz that at its best will leave you with your mouth hanging open. Pianist Thembi Dunjana salutes her homeland with a two-horn quintet on God Bless iKapa. God Bless Mzantsi. (the isiXhosa words for Cape Town and South Africa, respectively), swinging in a way that blends hard bop and hip-hop." - Phil Freeman, Stereogum

Thank you, Stereogum, for including us on the year-end list for Best of 2024!

11/14/2024

"Ropeadope, a record label and much more, is celebrating its 25th anniversary. They’ve put a lot of great music into the world, most notably the work of trumpeter Chief Adjuah (fka Christian Scott) but also, more recently, their new AfricArise imprint, which has already given us killer albums by Aaron Rimbui, Thembi Dunjana, and others."

Thanks to Phil Freeman at Burning Ambulance for the kind words! We are so proud of our relationship with Ropeadope

Should have been 37, but...anyway

11/02/2024

Steve Dyer's beautiful "Enhlizweni: Song Stories from My Heatland" just won as Best Jazz Album at the 2024 South African Music Awards (SAMAs)! We are so excited for Steve, and this very deserved win for him!

Make sure you dive into this modern classic, available on AfricArise!

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11/02/2024

AfricArise is so excited! Steve Dyer's brilliant album "Enhlizweni: Song Stories from My Heartland" just won at the South African Music Awards (SAMAs) for Best Jazz album!!!

Congratulations Best Jazz Album

10/31/2024

"Imani means “faith” in Swahili, and the whole album is an evocation of everything about music and in his life that sustained him on his long road to recovery, and then to here."

Thanks to Gwen Ansell for the amazing write-up!

https://sisgwenjazz.wordpress.com/

10/31/2024

We are always honored for the chance to collaborate with Mandla Mlangeni!

10/29/2024

Don't miss out on this truly extraordinary album!

Fab to see Aaron Rimbui's album Imani being noticed and included in playlists! Check this one out - Africa'Jazznation on Apple Music Notably, the album is recorded in Dolby Atmos system - listen to find out, it sounds amazing!
https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/africajazznation/pl.6505623a06c44169b2f4b267be0dd41f
Many thanks to the album distributor Symphonic Distribution for making the album widely known! Ropeadope AfricArise

10/25/2024

We are so proud to feature this magnificent album! Be sure to check it out right away

It’s here! We are thrilled that the last release this year in the AfricArise series on Ropeadope, curated by Seton Hawkins, is a piano trio recording from the inimitable Aaron Rimbui!

The third solo project of Kenyan pianist Imani translates from Kiswahili to mean “faith” or “belief.” For Aaron, the album holds a deeply personal story, reflecting a crucial moment of taking stock in his life and representing his journey in music.

The cover image of the album features Rimbui’s hands, which bear the scars of a near-fatal accident. The resulting burns, reconstructive surgery, and grafts proved a pivotal turning point in his life, as his recovery also included taking up the piano. “From the accident came my playing,” Rimbui explains. “Through my piano I found healing in many ways.”

Imani also represents a truly unique offering. While South Africa has long served as vital home for Jazz, Rimbui’s home in Kenya is less noted for its Jazz traditions. Being inspired by many of South African Jazz’s piano masters, ultimately, the style Aaron Rimbui has forged represents something fully unique to himself: Kenyan Jazz Piano. “As a Kenyan, I wanted to come out with a different sound and different approach,” he explains.

Go and have a listen! https://ropeadope.ffm.to/imani also via AfricArise bandcamp page and wherever you listen to the music.

10/25/2024

"Imani," the trio masterpiece of Kenyan pianist Aaron Rimbui, is now available!

Stream it here:

Choose your preferred music service

10/25/2024

"The Kenyan music scene is on the verge of witnessing a groundbreaking release as New York-based jazz maestro Aaron Rimbui unveils his latest album, Imani."

The Kenyan music scene is on the verge of witnessing a groundbreaking release as New York-based jazz maestro Aaron Rimbui unveils his latest album, Imani. Known for his exceptional talent…

10/18/2024

Here is a nice souvenir of a spring visit to SFJAZZ by Melanie Scholtz Music & Aaron Rimbui - a cool episode of the SFJAZZ At Home series - Backstage: Making of a Song where Melanie & Aaron talk about "Malaika" made famous around the world by Miriam Makeba. Watch the episode on now! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zjUnvMOfd10

The timing is perfect - tomorrow, Saturday the 19th Melanie is launching her new album Seven at DROM and next Friday, the 25th Aaron's new trio recording Imani is out! We can't wait!

For further info and context of the song: https://www.sfjazz.org/athome/backstage-making-of-a-song/melanie-scholtz-aaron-rimbui/

Huge thanks to Ross Eustis, Christian Vela, Dylan Lewis, Marin Carmona and all involved for making this happen!