TPF 6: Meet the experts molding the stars in the Academy

1. Aaron Rimbui: Band Leader To say that Rimbui is a great pianist is an understatement. He is one of the foremost musicians of his generation and one of the finest pianists in East and Central Africa. Rimbui first picked up an instrument while at the prestigious St. Mary’s School, Nairobi. After graduating from St Mary’s, Rimbui got started in the entertainment business while working as an intern at a studio run by famous Kenyan producer, Bruce Odhiambo. A trained engineer and skilled producer, Rimbui has a musical sense that is borderline clairvoyant, knowing all the right notes to hit and the right ways to lead the band and perfectly compliment a singer. The man behind the ‘All That Jazz’ concert series, Rimbui is a busy man... and he literally lets his keys speak for him.Q: Who influenced you in your career? (Locally or internationally)A: Locally, I’d say Eric Wainaina. He is one of the first artistes, who was urban and decided he wanted to do this for life. Back in 1998, I went for one of his gigs. He had just come from Berklee (College of Music, Boston MA) with his band and I was like whoa! So Wainaina is way up there for me. Internationally, there are many. Of course, there is Herby Hancock, Miles Davis, John Coltrane and Robert Glasper. Those are my icons.Q: What would you say was the highlight of your career?A: There are a few. Of course, getting called to be the band leader on Tusker Project Fame. That is a huge thing for me. Also, I shared the stage and played for Hugh Masekela when he played in Nairobi. Another one was Dwele. Dwele (Grammy nominated artiste) played in Nairobi. He didn’t travel with his band and we were asked to play for him. Q: What is the craziest thing that has ever happened to you on stage? How did you handle it?A: The keyboard went off mid show. Power trips and it goes out. Usually, we cue the band to keep going. That is always hard. Q: What is the one thing you must always do in preparation for a performance?A: Always have my iPod. I have to listen to some music before I go onto stage to get inspired. I also like peace, so a quiet moment to myself is something I always do. Two or three hours just to focus. Oh... and my towel and water (laughs).Q: If TPF existed at the beginning of your career, would you have auditioned?A: No. (laughs) I am not primarily a singer. But just a tit bit, my brother (Tim ‘Ennovator’ Rimbui) and Kanji Mbugua wrote the theme song. So we have been here since the beginning anyway. Besides, I only sing to teach parts... but never on stage.Q: Any words of wisdom to the contestants who are in the Academy?A: Music is like any other career. Stick to it. Practice hard and surround yourself with people who make you better. And last but not least, be nice (laughs).2. Edwin Odhiambo, aka Edu: ChoreographyCoach Edu has been around in the entertainment industry for quite a number of years. At a young age, his idol was Michael Jackson, who he started out trying to copy and imitate. Edu, who is in charge of the Sarakasi Dance Group based in Nairobi, has danced far and wide, performing in South Korea. A talented performer and one of East Africa’s most well known choreographers, Edu knows how to move and knows how to get your body moving.Aside from Tusker Project Fame 6, Edu is currently working on a show called ‘UMOJA’ which is a collaborative show that is being developed for a worldwide audience. Keep your ears to the ground, Edu has big plans.Q: Who inspired you in your career? (Locally or internationally)A: Michael Jackson. Back in those days, no one else was dancing... and TV was all Michael. I looked for money and I bought a cassette (yes, because it was before CDs and MP3 players) and I went home and tried to copy the moves I had seen on the music videos on TV. Of course, you would have to make your own sound effects (laughs) but that is another story.Q: What would you say was the highlight of your career? A: My first performance... Walker Hill Casino. South Korea. It is one of the biggest VIP casinos in the world... serious VIP. It was a difficult show, but I love challenges. It was the first time dance had taken me out of the country and it was the day I realised how serious things could really be.Q: What is the craziest thing that has ever happened to you on stage? A: There is a time we were doing a live-to-TV product launch and the CD didn’t play. So the cameras were on us and we stood for a whole ten minutes. It felt like it went on forever. Eventually, the DJ just played a song and we danced. It was difficult since the routine was choreographed to a specific song, but we handled it by dancing to the count in our heads. We were off beat. We did our thing. But I’d never do that again. Q: What are some of the qualities you hope to find in some of the contestants?A: I have worked with musicians but I am used to working with professional dancers. I expect the contestants to be ready to work hard. It is about performance. I expect them to be ready to bring their “A game” from week 1. I expect energy and a strong mind set.3. Kavutha Mwanzia: Voice coachKavutha is no stranger to the entertainment scene in East Africa. A graduate of DayStar University in Nairobi and the prestigious Berklee School of Music in Boston, Massachusetts, Kavutha is one of the most versatile and experienced vocalist in East Africa. A vocal coach with an eye for talent, Kavutha says she got started in the entertainment industry by chance. As a child, she was always singing the songs on the radio. From there, she worked her way into the business and never looked back. For Tusker Project Fame 6, Kavutha is hoping to find contestants who are tenacious, talented, determined and never willing to give up.Q: Who influenced you in your career? (Locally or internationally)A: I would say my teachers in campus. I had one really great voice coach on campus, when I went to DayStar and one or two teachers felt; this is the direction I wanted to go in. How they made me feel about my voice really made me want to go into vocal coaching.Q: What is the craziest thing that has ever happened to you on stage? A: I forgot the words a lot (laughs) but I have become very good at making up the words. I have never fallen, Thank God for that.Q: What is the one thing you must always have / must always do in preparation for a performance?A: (laughs) Memorise the words. Always memorise the words.Q: Coming to TPF 6, what are some of the things you will impart to the students?A: Drive, a willingness to learn, the passion to keep doing it, because you can only get better through time... if you keep working at it, keep singing.Q: If TPF existed at the beginning of your career, would you have auditioned?A: No. (laughs) Because I am not that brave. I always tell the students that they are a lot braver than I could be or ever have been. For anything else, the ability to take criticism for who you are as a singer makes these contestants very brave.Q: Any words of wisdom to the contestants who are stepping into the Academy?A: Keep at it. It isn’t easy. There are very many bumps in the road. Keep practicing (practice is your biggest friend), keep singing. Singing is a skill that you build so if you can keep at it and find someone who can nurture you to grow, keep at it.

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TPF 6: Meet the experts molding the stars in the Academy