The Ugandan artiste with a Master’s degree in music

What is World music for someone who only knows Radio, Weasel, and Chameleon et al?
World music is a musical category that incorporates different styles of music from around the world. In world music, an artiste blends many genres such as ethnic music, traditional music, indigenous music and neo-traditional music in one composition

World music relies on playing various traditional instruments. What do you play and where did you learn to play them?
I play the Kora, which originated from West Africa. When I was still a child, I used to play traditional African music before I even knew that there was something called “world music” or Afro fusion, as some people refer to it.

What inspired you to do that kind of music?
When I was growing up, I used to play the instruments just for fun but with time, I discovered the music of artistes such as Wes Madiko and Salif KEITA, which inspired me to take that line of thought.

How do you handle the Ugandan audience who do not seem to appreciate it as much?
It’s true the Ugandan audience is not so familiar with the music I do. It’s a bit strange to their ears but the good news is that they are learning.
Slowly, they are adopting to this global movement and I am sure they will catch up soon.

Do you listen to our local artistes’ music?
Yes. I love Bebe cool, Navio, Ziza Bafana, Sheebah and Kenzo.

As a musician, how would you describe our local music?
The music done by other Ugandan artistes basically represents the big picture of urban trends and it’s a key ingredient in the daily lives of the people. It is described as pop.
The music that Joel Sebunjo and Isaiah Katumwa do is, however, the alternative creativity music, which stays forever.

What does it take to compose a World song?
World music is based on a good knowledge of culture, not tradition. It’s more spiritual, you don’t just fall into it.

But most of your compositions have no lyrics, just instruments.
Some of my songs have lyrics and others don’t, it largely depends on my motive.

Which international artistes have you worked with?
Aly KEITA from Mali, Ismael LO and Awadi Didier from Senegal, Kareyce Fotso from Cameroon, the list is long.

Do you see world music taking over the local Ugandan music?
World music may not necessarily take over the local scene but believe it will remain a vibrant block of the music wave.
What does Sebunjo do away from music?
I spend time with my small family. I have of late become such a home guy and I guess I have also aged. I also take time to manage my other businesses.

Your music involves travelling to many parts of the world; I bet you are dating a white woman?
I am not dating. Dating is totally a different stage of life. I am a married man and Mrs Sebunjo is an American.

Tell us how you two met?
We met over three years ago in America through common friends.

And are you staying in your mother’s house like the tabloids reported?
Which tabloid wrote that? Any way a tabloid is a tabloid but for your information, it’s a lie. I own two homes for my family, one in Naguru and another in Kansanga.

What kind of girls are you attracted to?
The open-minded kind.

How many relationships have you been in and what made you get out of some of them?
I have been in at least three relationships but they couldn’t last because I seemed too busy to dedicate time for them. I was always on the move with my work, I couldn’t settle in a single country.

How did you finally get married because you still travel a lot in different countries?
Well, in any relationship people have to understand each other.
You have to understand the nature of work of your partner and the modalities that come with it.
Finally I met somebody who understood the fact that Joel Sebunjo is a frequent traveler and a journey man.
I have to say it also took my wife a bit of time to get accustomed to that.

What turns you off when it comes to these Kampala girls?
Kampala girls like partying and showing off.
I mean it’s alright, but I am not fan of extreme night life so I don’t see myself falling for Kampala girls.

Where did you attend school?
I went to Nkumba Primary, Makerere College, Makerere University, and Sibelius Academy in Finland.

What don’t people know about Joel Sebunjo?
People don’t know that I have a Master’s degree in Musicology; I studied music at Sibelius Academy in Finland. It is rare to find an artiste in Uganda who has a Masters’ Degree in Music; most of them stop at Bachelors.