James Sakala
James Sakala | |
|---|---|
 Sakala at The Stanbic Jazz Festival in 2015 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | October 17, 1983 Bulawayo, Zimbabwe |
| Genres | Kalindula, Afro-jazz |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, songwriter, producer |
| Instruments | Guitar, percussion instruments |
| Years active | 2007-present |
| Associated acts | |
James Sakala is a Zambian songwriter, producer and afro-jazz/Kalindula musician from Mkushi.
Early life
Sakala was born in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe on 17 October 1983[1] and grew up in Fikolwa area at Kabati Village in Mkushi, Zambia. It was here where he started expressing himself through music and drama at a very young age. He became more convinced of his passion for music when he learnt to sing "Namusonda" by P.K. Chishala."[2]
Career
Over the years, James Sakala has nurtured his skills by working as a producer, session guitarist, and singer/songwriter at local recording studios.[2] In 2005 he joined Bazibe Arts Theatre, a Mkushi based group, and he was made lead singer and dance director.
Sakala came to Lusaka for the first time in 2007 and settled there. This move marked the beginning of his music career when he started singing as a backup singer for artists such as K’millian, Mampi, Ty2, Crystal Shawn and Ozzy from 2008 to 2009.[1]
In 2012 he became a member of The Elect Band as a percussionist and rhythm guitar player. He recently became a lead singer of the band.
Sakala's first biggest performance was at The Stanbic Jazz Festival in 2014[3] at The Misty Jazz Café and Restaurant in Lusaka as a supporting artist. The festival featured international artistes Earl Klugh, Oliver Mtukudzi and Mi Casa.[4]
Sakala was named a 2015 Proflight brand ambassador along with four other artistes who include hip hop artiste, Chef 187 and rapper, Cleo Ice Queen.[5] In a Facebook post on the MTN Zambia official page on 13 April 2016, MTN announced it had signed James Sakala as its Youth Brand Ambassador alongside other artists who included Pompi, Trinah and Mutaz from Radio Christian Voice.[6]
In 2016, Sakala performed at the Gaborone Music and Cultural Week featuring Jonathan Butler, Mumba Yachi and Botswana band, Sereetsi and the Natives.
Related videos
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See also
References
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- ↑ 1.0 1.1 A Career in the Music Industry Takes Tough Skin-James Sakala, Lusaka Voice, 29 July 2015
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 James Sakala on the Nativez
- ↑ Stanbic Jazz Festival, Artist Feature: James Sakala, Mwebantu, 27 September 2015
- ↑ Stanbic Jazz Festival VIP tickets are hot cakes, Zambia Daily Mail, 27 September 2015
- ↑ James Sakala and JJ drop ‘listen to me’, Zambia Daily Mail, 28 February 2015
- ↑ MTN Introduces Youth Brand Ambassadors, 13 April 2016
