The Santuri Salon is our new space at The Mall (basement level) in Westlands, Nairobi. 

It is Santuri’s multi-functional space for workshops, performances, listening sessions, panel discussions and more.

The Santuri Salon is also a place for DJs and music producers to access world class hardware and software Santuri shares with the community. What’s more, we also have a library focusing on music culture books and publications.  

The space is open to the community for hire. Simply contact the Santuri Salon on:
 
+254 768 226 199 (mobile / WhatsApp) or email salon@santuri.org

 

BOOK THE SANTURI SALON NOW




SPOTLIGHT SESSIONS @ THE SANTURI SALON





Spotlight Sessions is a monthly event series held at The Santuri Salon, where we proudly present exceptional emerging musicians from the East African region. With the generous backing of the Ignite Culture EA grant, we have established an inclusive environment that allows these talented artists to showcase their unique and experimental projects before an intimate and receptive audience.


Kicking off in June 2023, our Spotlight Sessions are free to attend on the last Thursday of every month until December. We encourage you to mark your calendars and join us for these immersive events.


If you are an emerging East African musician seeking an opportunity to showcase at Spotlight Sessions, apply on the next call.


 

 K-SHAKA REUNION


Friday 11th August




Spotlight Sessions : mphilo


Thursday 27th July




Spotlight Sessions : Nduta


Thursday 29th June



The second Spotlight Sessions artist Nduta stole both the show, and the audience's hearts. Accompanied by talented Kenyan musicians Sam100 on Ableton Live, Mango on guitar and Cee Jr on choreography, Nduta delivered a remarkable and innovative set, showcasing a beautiful blend of genres. Her ethereal vocals and undeniable stage presence left a lasting impression on everyone who witnessed her performance.


Here’s some events that toom place at the Santuri Salon.


Jadili Session Genge's Tone


Friday 2nd June



Gengetone music can be summed up in one word: controversial. In this thought-provoking Jadili session moderated by DJ rPh, the discussion delved into the good, the fad and the ugali of gengetone music. This fiery session ignited inquiries about the past, present, and future of gengetone, and its cultural significance in Kenya.


Spotlight Sessions ICHA


Thursday 25th May



At the inaugural Spotlight Sessions at The Salon, the spotlight shone on Kenyan alternative artist ICHA. In a captivating and interactive session, ICHA demonstrated his talent by recording a trap song live and performing his finest tracks, with the help of Xens from The East. This groundbreaking event laid the foundation for future Spotlight Sessions, promising more exceptional musical experiences to come.

Afrikan Freestyle Session


Friday. 12th May


Following 2 years of consistent weekly freestyling sessions on Instagram, Kenyan music journalist and rapper Afrikan showcased his unique talent in his first live freestyling performance. Joined by friends on stage, they delivered a freestyle extravaganza that left fans awe-inspired. By the end of the night, Afrikan's exceptional skills earned him the title of freestyle king.


Fundraiser: Preserving Coastal Music Heritage


Tuesday, 9th May 2023





From the late 1960s to 2022 musicians from the East African coast recorded at ‘Mbwana Radio Service’ in Mombasa’s Old Town. Some of
the music styles in the catalogue are taarab, mwanzele, kayamba or gozi. On the roster of the cassette label were stars like Zuhura Swaleh, Maulidi Juma, and Nyerere wa Konde. At the end of last year the studio and shop closed its doors permanently but the cassettes still exists albeit in a precarious state. That’s why we need your support in preserving the diverse collection! The event featured music and conversations celebrating the rich heritage, addressing current issues and exploring possible futures.
All proceeds go to the preservation initiave.

In conversation was:
Nassoro Mwinyi, custodian of the collection
Prof. Mwenda Ntarangwi, cultural anthropologist
Wairimũ Nduba, founder of @werjokenya.




Ethereal EP listening session


Fri 5th May


After several months of planning, Barno successfully hosted her long-awaited EP listening party at The Salon. Supported by fellow Kenyan DJ Shikkiey, she showcased her 3 track debut EP accompanied by stunning visualizers from Array Records. The event reached its crescendo as the SEMA alumna closed the night with a nostalgic DJ set that was nothing short of ethereal.


Sundowner event


Thursday 27th April


Our first sundowner event at The Salon featured a fun eclectic mix of female and male Kenyan DJs. Barno, SeLO, Sirtoontzalot and Kimina played urban hits, Kenyan rhythms, and electronic beats, creating a relaxed and intimate atmosphere. This chill intimate sundowner brought the Santuri community together to connect on a cool Thursday night.


Kalanzi music distribution workshop


Thursday 27th April



Tangaza Magazine project manager Kalanzi facilitated an enlightening music distribution 101 workshop for our SEMA production students and our wider audience. He delved into the history of music distribution, explored various platforms available for distribution, and imparted valuable insights on music marketing. The session concluded with an engaging Q&A segment where students shared their personal experiences in distributing music online.


Jadili session: ethics of sampling traditional instruments


Saturday 22nd April


This special Jadili session blended conscious conversations about sampling traditional African music with futuristic music performances. Our lovely guest artists were Olith Ratego and Sven Kacirek of Odd Okoddo, Labdi Ommes and Bernt Isak of Unganisha. Together with David Tinning and Furaha of Santuri East Africa, they discussed the ethics of sampling music, Santuri Instruments, and the future of music with AI.


https://www.ableton.com/en/blog/sounds-in-context-santuri-safari/


The Anansi Radical Catalyst : Conflux


Thursday 20th April


Can you create music with other African artists who are in different locations around the world in real time? That's what Anansi collective did, producing tracks and writing lyrics together virtually as well as physically at The Salon on 4/20. They pushed the boundaries of collaboration in a hybrid space on https://anansi.site/


Raph EP listening session


Friday 14th April


Our friendly neighbor at The Mist, Raph aka DJ rPh, held an EP listening session at The Salon to showcase his latest project. He took us behind the scenes of "Hope/Currency" featuring Kenyan poet Kins of Spades, and why they chose to tackle Kenyan church commentary. You can experience this experimental EP by streaming or buying it on Bandcamp: https://rphandkinsofspade.bandcamp.com/album/hope-currency


Evolution of Kenyan music: Intro


Saturday 25th March



LaMusicJunkie hosted the first edition of the Evolution of Kenyan Music series, taking us back to the origins of Kenyan popular music in the 1940s. DJ Jojo's expertly curated vinyl selections showcased the diversity of Kenyan sounds, making for a fun and fascinating music discussion. Enjoy this captivating trip through time here:

https://bit.ly/evolutionofkenyanmusiczilizopendwa



Jadili 4: creative entrepreneurship


Friday 24th March


For the first Jadili session of 2023, we were honoured to host Mixcloud co-founder Nikhil Shah and angel investor Federico Pirzio-Biroli. Moderated by Gregg Tendwa, the panelists shared their creative entrepreneurship journeys, what they look for when investing in startups and more. You can listen to this inspiring discussion on Santuri's SoundCloud page.


Reflective Surface by Muthoni ni Mimi


Friday March 10th 2023


Muthoni Ni Mimi held her first showcase event at The Salon and it was absolutely mesmerising. Her multidisciplinary performance fused spoken word, live painting, acoustic music, African percussion and live electronics using Ableton Push. Attendees described the SEMA alumna's performance, who doubles as a musician and psychologist, as sound healing. 


https://instagram.com/muthoninimimi?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=


JC mixtape listening session


Sunday 5th March


JC, a rising Kenyan hiphop femcee, hosted an exclusive listening session for her upcoming mixtape at The Salon. The evening event featured electrifying performances by Dezian, Brainchild, and vinyl DJ Sam Tha Digga, who set the stage on fire. Jus Chillin then performed bouncy tracks from her debut mixtape which got her dedicated fans dancing and grooving along.

https://m.youtube.com/@jcmusic456/videos


Some picures from previous events.


Open Day January 13th 







BOOK THE SANTURI SALON NOW





“Iche album” launch featuring Janice Iche, Nabalayo, Akoth Jumadi and DJ IV






 
 


MISSION 






[MONRHEA] hosts the TCHNO workshop at the Salon 




 


Housed in a former beauty salon in the basement of The Mall, the Santuri’s Salon is the central operating base for Santuri activities, combining a recording studio, music production stations, a workshop / classroom area, an office, and a showcase area.
 

From this space Santuri plans shall:


  • Create a value-driven, vibrant and inclusive space in Nairobi for music practitioners to learn skills, develop creative works, and share them with local, regional and global audiences.

  • Establish an East African reciprocal residency program that combines learning, collaboration and artistic innovation, connecting Kenya and Tanzania, expanding to 3 other locations in 2023/2024.

  • House our celebrated SEMA education program and grow our community by building an active Alums network - creating opportunities and providing sustained support for our students.


Them Mushrooms - live









“Santuri has been a much needed breathe of fresh air in the Nairobi music space post-pandemic, bringing together equally inspired and curious music minds to learn, engage and interact. The Santuri Salon is a perfect add on to this ecosystem, right in the heart of Westlands (Nairobi party district), providing a space to showcase some of the magic the city is making. It was an honour for Them Mushrooms, one of Kenyas most iconic bands, to able to jam in the space to a small exclusive audience, in the build up to the Hamsini Tour celebrating 50 Years of Live music”.
George ‘Porgie’ Gachui, Them Mushrooms’ Manager 







Dipa Konnection Video Shoot 



Nairobi’s next top band passed by to shoot a video for their upcoming release - full video to follow!  












SEMA Open Day





                  

 .        




Building the Santuri Salon in September 2022














Welcome to the second call for applications for Spotlight Sessions. Santuri East Africa is seeking innovative, emerging East African artists to showcase at the Santuri Salon between September 2023 and January 2024. This opportunity is particularly for artists who thrive  willing to experiment, challenge conventions, and create sounds that defy categorization.

If you are a musician, band or collective who thrives outside of the mainstream and are committed to forging new paths in music, we want to hear from you.

The Spotlight Sessions showcases at Santuri Salon will provide an intimate, engaged audience for you to test out your latest creations or artistic concepts.

We welcome acts of all genres, from afro-fusion, experimental, electronic, to noise, rock, and beyond! 

The Spotlight Sessions are particularly interested in projects that address or relate to some of the following themes:  


  • The intersection of technology and tradition
  • African culture and identity
  • Community, connectedness, or cross-cultural collaboration
  • Pressing issues such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), climate change, social inequality etc
  • Combinations of art disciplines with a strong musical component


Here are some examples:

  • Live performance of a new release, involving different performance tools  
  • Interactive DJ set or deep dive into a micro genre / theme
  • Immersive sound art installation
  • Live ‘pirate radio’ takeover 
  • Improvised modular synthesizer performance
  • Reusing folkloric practices in innovative ways


Who can apply?

  • New and emerging East African musicians based in the region
  • Participants of 18 years and over 
  • Non-male/queer artists strongly encouraged to apply 
  • Groups of not more than 3 artists


The first 4 Spotlight Sessions took place between May and August 2023. Check out the previous shows below to discover the kind of artists who were successful. If you applied before and weren't selected, feel free to apply again.


Support:

  • Performers will receive a nominal performance fee from Santuri of KES 15,000.
  • Santuri will provide sound and lighting for the show.
  • Santuri will provide time and space for rehearsals.
  • Selected acts will be promoted across the Santuri East Africa platforms (newsletters, website, radio shows, social media).
  • A space will be allocated at the Santuri Salon for showcasing artists to sell their merchandise.



Timeline:

  • Submit your application by 30th September 2023.
  • Eligible applications will be reviewed by the Santuri Curation Committee.
  • All applicants will be notified of their status via email.
  • Only complete applications submitted via the online form below will be considered.


We look forward to hearing from you.



The “Spotlight Sessions” is supported by a grant from Ignite Culture: ACP-EU Culture Programme (Eastern Africa).
This fund is being implemented by HEVA, in partnership with the British Council Kenya with the financial contribution of the European Union, and with further support from the Organisation of ACP (African, Caribbean and Pacific) States. It is part of the global ACP-EU Culture Programme. 




Spotlight Sessions : mphilo


Thursday 27th July




The third Spotlight Sessions was a unique family affair. Kenyan storyteller mphilo performed never-heard-before tracks alongside her sisters on drums and vocals, while MR LU* looped it all up on Ableton. The eager audience enjoyed her soulful singing, spoken word, nyatiti sounds and even composed two original tracks together during the exceptional event.


Spotlight Sessions : Nduta


Thursday 29th June




The second Spotlight Sessions artist Nduta stole both the show, and the audience's hearts.
Accompanied by talented Kenyan musicians Sam100 on Ableton Live, Mango on guitar and Cee Jr on choreography, Nduta delivered a remarkable and innovative set, showcasing a beautiful blend of genres. Her ethereal vocals and undeniable stage presence left a lasting impression on everyone who witnessed her performance.



Here’s some events that toom place at the Santuri Salon.



Spotlight Sessions: ICHA


Thursday 25th May




At the inaugural Spotlight Sessions at The Salon, the spotlight shone on Kenyan alternative artist ICHA. In a captivating and interactive session, ICHA demonstrated his talent by recording a trap song live and performing his finest tracks, with the help of Xens from The East. This groundbreaking event laid the foundation for future Spotlight Sessions, promising more exceptional musical experiences to come.





Santuri East Africa, a community-focused music innovation hub based in Nairobi, Kenya has been selected to incubate the Kenyan part of Afrique Créative, an acceleration program for African cultural and creative businesses. This program is open to cultural and creative entrepreneurs, who have businesses that are legally registered in Kenya, and have been in existence for at least two years.


The main goal of Afrique Créative is to support African cultural and creative businesses from all sectors of the creative economy to grow and maximize their impact locally, nationally, and internationally. Businesses that join this incubation program will receive training, mentorship and coaching to improve on their business model, financial projections and scale-up strategy.


If you want to look through the detailed application, you can download and start exploring the questions via this link https://tinyurl.com/34bw3z9r but the submission link is at the bottom of this page.

A detailed FAQ section is available below.


Additionally, there will be two information sessions,


On Friday Nov 3, 2023 (15.00 EAT) - a general info session hosted by Afrique Créative via
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83078888467 (no registration required). 


On Friday Nov 10, 2023, on a first come first served basis, Team Santuri Inc will run 15 min one-on-one sessions to provide constructive feedback and advice on your application.

Book your slot immediately via https://calendly.com/incubator-santuri/15min and send your draft application and/specific questions by Wed, Nov 8 2023 midnight to incubator@santuri.org


Remember to submit your application by November 15, 2023 through this link.

https://afriquecreative.fr/en/2023-africa-creative-talent-partner/call-2023/


For any further clarification, please email incubator@santuri.org






FAQs



1. What is Afrique Créative, and who is involved?

Afrique Créative is an acceleration program for African cultural and creative businesses. It is implemented by a consortium led by the Belgian non-profit organization Africalia, along with partners like I&P Conseil, Zhu Culture, Bayimba Foundation, and Tshimologong.


2. What's the main goal of this program?

The main goal is to support African cultural and creative businesses in their development to maximize their impact locally, nationally, and internationally.


3. Who is eligible to apply?

Eligible applicants are cultural and creative organizations that have been in existence for at least two years. Your organization should be legally registered and operating in one of the 12 target countries specified in the call for applications.


3. Which countries are eligible to apply?

The program is open to cultural and creative enterprises from Benin, Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ghana, Guinea Conakry, Kenya, Morocco, Senegal, South Africa, Tunisia, and Uganda.


4. What documents do I need for the application?

To complete your application, you'll need to provide various documents, including the application form and additional annexes. These annexes include a detailed budget for your project, signed declarations on compliance with national regulations and international conventions, financial statements, and more.


5. What are the timelines of the Afrique Créative program?

The program involves three phases:


  • Call for Application and Selection (October – December 2023)
  • Pre-incubation phase (January – April 2024)
  • Incubation phase (June 2024 – May 2025)


6. What support will I get during the pre-incubation phase?

During the pre-incubation phase, selected entrepreneurs receive coaching and support from local incubators. This support focuses on restructuring your business model, developing a scale-up strategy, refining your project, and working on financial projections. Additionally, you'll participate in e-learning modules, covering topics like HR management and marketing, to prepare for the program.


7. What support is provided during incubation?

After a pitching presentation, the 15 winning entrepreneurs will receive collective training seminars, business coaching, mentoring by professionals, and an acceleration grant to fund their projects.


8. What is the expected grant amount?

The grants awarded through the Afrique Créative program can range from 30,000 to 60,000 euros per company. This funding is allocated to support your business acceleration project. It covers 2/3 of the total project budget, with the entrepreneur contributing the remaining 1/3.


10. What's the application deadline for this program?

The application deadline is November 15th, 2023. Apply here.



FAQs



1. What is Afrique Créative, and who is involved?

Afrique Créative is an acceleration program for African cultural and creative businesses. It is implemented by a consortium led by the Belgian non-profit organization Africalia, along with partners like I&P Conseil, Zhu Culture, Bayimba Foundation, and Tshimologong.


2. What's the main goal of this program?

The main goal is to support African cultural and creative businesses in their development to maximize their impact locally, nationally, and internationally.


3. Who is eligible to apply?

Eligible applicants are cultural and creative organizations that have been in existence for at least two years. Your organization should be legally registered and operating in one of the 12 target countries specified in the call for applications.


3. Which countries are eligible to apply?

The program is open to cultural and creative enterprises from Benin, Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ghana, Guinea Conakry, Kenya, Morocco, Senegal, South Africa, Tunisia, and Uganda.


4. What documents do I need for the application?

To complete your application, you'll need to provide various documents, including the application form and additional annexes. These annexes include a detailed budget for your project, signed declarations on compliance with national regulations and international conventions, financial statements, and more.


5. What are the timelines of the Afrique Créative program?

The program involves three phases:


  • Call for Application and Selection (October – December 2023)
  • Pre-incubation phase (January – April 2024)
  • Incubation phase (June 2024 – May 2025)


6. What support will I get during the pre-incubation phase?

During the pre-incubation phase, selected entrepreneurs receive coaching and support from local incubators. This support focuses on restructuring your business model, developing a scale-up strategy, refining your project, and working on financial projections. Additionally, you'll participate in e-learning modules, covering topics like HR management and marketing, to prepare for the program.


7. What support is provided during incubation?

After a pitching presentation, the 15 winning entrepreneurs will receive collective training seminars, business coaching, mentoring by professionals, and an acceleration grant to fund their projects.


8. What is the expected grant amount?

The grants awarded through the Afrique Créative program can range from 30,000 to 60,000 euros per company. This funding is allocated to support your business acceleration project. It covers 2/3 of the total project budget, with the entrepreneur contributing the remaining 1/3.


10. What's the application deadline for this program?

The application deadline is November 15th, 2023. Apply here.



Uvumbuzi Music Residency Program


Submission deadline: 30th September 10pm EAT


Santuri East Africa and Ajabu Ajabu supported by a grant from Ignite Culture: ACP-EU Culture Programme (Eastern Africa) are excited to announce an extraordinary opportunity for East African musicians!

Selected applicants will be able to participate in a unique music residency program called Uvumbuzi, bridging the creative landscapes of Dar es Salaam and Nairobi. Artists are invited to submit projects under three themes: Pushing Sonic Boundaries; Sound Modulation for Social Transformation; and Preserving East African Heritage. 


About the Residency


Our reciprocal music residency program is designed to empower East African music producers and performers to put forth singles, EP’s or short live performances, while fostering cross-cultural collaboration and embracing cutting-edge technologies. If you've been working on demos & sketches, you may want to take the next steps - receiving some constructive feedback, and preparing your project for professional mixing & mastering services. If you’re ready to push your project over the finish line, this opportunity is perfect for you!


For an intensive two week period in November, Kenyan artists will be hosted by Ajabu Ajabu in Dar Es Salaam (October 30th - November 12th), and Tanzanian artists will be hosted by Santuri in Nairobi (November 13th-27th). The residency lets you manage your own time, but also includes one-on-one mentoring sessions, workshops on performance, mixing & mastering. Transport and accommodation will be provided, as well as a daily stipend of 1500 Ksh / 26114 TSH.


If your project is selected, you will:

  • Be supported to develop a comprehensive work plan and schedule for the proposed project.
  • Have access to studio equipment (including Native Instruments, Elektron, Albeton Adam Audio, Behringer & more)
  • Engage in regular check-ins with Santuri East Africa and Ajabu Ajabu to update on your project’s progress.
  • Have access to showcase and public opportunities to present your work after completing the residency



Application Process

Applicants are encouraged to submit a project proposal under one of the three following themes

  • Pushing Sonic Boundaries 

Embracing innovative technologies and experimental techniques to craft unique and genre-defying sounds; exploring the new possibilities shaping the future of music, such as artificial intelligence and cutting-edge software

  • Sound Modulation for Social Transformation 

Using music to address and advocate for social, political, and environmental issues that resonate with East African Audiences

  • Preserving East African Heritage 

Paying tribute and revitalizing traditional music from Kenya and Tanzania using contemporary music production.

We encourage artists who already have demos, or live shows under production to submit their application by September 30th.
Application should include the following files in a Google Drive Folder with the following title [First Name, Last Name - Uvumbuzi 2023]

  • Brief artist biography & artist statement (artistic vision, goals, how the residency will impact your creative development) (PDF)
  • A concept proposal for your project, clearly addressing one or more of the themes (PDF)
  • Artist portfolio or samples of your previous work, highlighting your artistic style and current direction. A minimum of 5 tracks or 5 performance videos is required. (MP3, MP4)
  • WIP - Works In Progress / Demo recordings that you intend to finalize during the residency. A minimum of 4 works is required (MP3, MP4)

Applicants should include the link to their Google Drive Folder in the following Google Form, along with their answers. Once you have filled out our google form, you can expect a confirmation email. Selected successful applicants will be contacted a second time via email by Santuri & Ajabu Ajabu. Due to the high number of applicants, only successful applicants will be contacted a second time.

Join us in shaping the future of East African music!

This is your opportunity to be at the forefront of sonic innovation, cross-cultural collaboration, and social impact through music. Unleash your creativity and be part of a movement that resonates beyond borders.


The “Uvumbuzi Music Residency” is supported by a grant from Ignite Culture: ACP-EU Culture Programme (Eastern Africa). This fund is being implemented by HEVA, in partnership with the British Council Kenya with the financial contribution of the European Union, and with further support from the Organisation of ACP (African, Caribbean and Pacific) States. It is part of the global ACP-EU Culture Programme.


FAQs





 

Subscribe to Our Newsletter ︎

©2023 Santuri East Africa