Kenya’s Afro-Jazz sensation Achieng Abura has every reason to smile after her latest achievement of scooping the top East African female artiste award jointly with Ethiopia’s Tsedenia Gebremarkos. Her song Toto Wangu from her latest album ‘Spirit of A Warrior’ helped her sail through. Abura who was taking the second shot at the contest (and not third as mentioned by one of the local papers) says she is grateful that she made it at last.
"I owe this award to Kenyans who have given me support through this tedious journey, and the honour is for all of us," she said in her acceptance speech.
An ardent peace advocate, Abura says her priority is to use her music to assist in the process of developing a culture of peace in Africa.
Inspired by Aretha Franklin, Patti Labelle, Miriam Makeba, Glady’s Knight, Letta Mbulu and Randy Crawford, Abura has always been into music. At the age of 12, after excelling in her primary school education, her mother Isabella Abura rewarded her with a new Campbell piano.
She sang gospel music and joined Life Ministry while at Kenya High School and continued doing the same as a Bachelor of Science (Chemistry) student at the Virginia Commonwealth, University, USA, singing with the Monroe Sisters, in 1990.
Upon graduating she released her debut gospel album ‘I believe’. The album launched her into the limelight showcasing her powerful voice and strong writing skills. The title track became a household song and was even adopted as the signature tune for a gospel music programme on KBC TV. In 1992, Abura graduated with a Masters of Philosophy in Environmental Studies at Moi University, Eldoret. And in 1993, when her mother passed away she recorded a dedication album for her titled ‘Way Over Yonder’ she then recorded her third album ‘Sulwe’, with Ted Josiah of Blu Zebra.
Abura then reinvented her style of music to a more secular Afro-Jazz style. "Gospel music is restricted to preaching," she once said. "I believe that God wants me to express myself more; to expand and sing about peace, domestic violence and other aspects of life."
In 2002, Abura released her fourth album ‘Maisha’, and one of the songs ‘Udzakwendahi’ was nominated for Best East African Artiste Award 2002, at the Kora Annual Music Awards. It was a historic event that featured the first ever appearance by Kenyan musicians.
In October 2002, Abura performed with Senegalese based Saintrick Et Les Tchielly of Congo Brazaville in a highly acclaimed show at the Carnivore, under the sponsorship of the East-West Cultural Exchange Cooperation Project of the French Cultural Center. Under the same initiative she was invited to perform at the Africa Fete Festival in Dakar, Senegal, together with Wa Flash, Habib Koite and Saintrick, becoming the first Kenyan artist to perform in culturally rich Senegal.
Her latest CD ‘Spirit Of A Warrior’ was voted among the top Afro-Jazz releases in Francophone Africa in January and her music has been gaining popularity with audiences in Central and West Africa.
Abura has achieved startling artistic maturity, with a fifth album in a career spanning a decade.
Her good reputation and experience have seen her perform in high- profiled concerts in the US, England, Spain, France, Germany Senegal, Tanzania, South Africa and Zanzibar.
The single mother of one boy, Abura dreams of a better and greater Africa for future generations.
Ted Josiah who produced her third album ‘Sulwe’ is happy for Abura and says she deserved the Award. "Abura is a singer who is known to exude confidence in whatever she undertakes," he says.