It’s not their unfortunate surrounding or the facts that crime and poverty rule the day, it’s the fact that they have found something powerful that helped them rise above their struggles. Growing up in such an environment, the last thing on your mind would be taking time off to play the saxophone or read music, but for the Ghetto Classics, music has become their redemption, their new lease of life; thanks to Safaricom Jazz Festival.
Started in the year 2009, the Ghetto Classics program is a community program that involves over 500 children in Korogocho – one of Kenya’s largest informal settlements. The program has not only introduced and helped them grow in music by showcasing their prowess in musical instruments; it’s released them from a life of crime and drugs.
The Ghetto Classics also uses music education to provide the youth with opportunities to better themselves and their community, creating oneness and harmony in the community by using music as a merging tool for larger social transformation and most of all making music a part of culture in the Korogocho community and the other underprivileged areas in which they operate.
Changing their lives
Some of the students who have actively participated in the music programme have managed to secure places in the Safaricom Youth Orchestra. Seeing them play live for the 3rd year in a row has changed my perception about music as a whole. These kids have proven that you don’t need all the resources you require at your disposal, you just need a willing heart and a strong spirit.
These are the same words echoed by Jimek, real name Radzimir Dębski, who is a composer and one of Poland’s best known music producers.
Jimek first came to Nairobi in 2017 after his friend Chris sent him a video of the Ghetto Classics kids playing beautiful music in the background of the Dandora slum that was spewing smoke. He was immediately struck by the unorthodox situation, he packed his bags and made his maiden visit to the country in July 2017.
He then conducted a week long master class with Ghetto Classics. It was an intense week full of learning and long rehearsals, that culminated in a concert at the Visa Oshwal auditorium. He described his first visit as ethereal and completely life-changing.
“I’ve been raised in a musical family and I was always soaked in music wherever I go, but I’ve seen nothing like what the Ghetto Classics kids do. They have very little instruments and they’ve grown up in such harsh environments, but none of that matters to them. Everyday they came in for practice, they were beaming with joy and I’ve never seen anything like it!
They have so much heart! The last time I practiced for the Hip-Hop orchestra with professional players, it took them much longer to grasp. I’ve only been here for two weeks and the kids are playing like they’ve been at it for years! Working with them is so easy because they have so much heart and they’re willing to take time off their weekends to rehearse. In all my years, I’ve never seen this happen with adult professionals; these kids are going to change lives”
Beneficiaries
I got to briefly chat with Benjamin Wamocho, who has been actively involved in music since 2011, through the Art of Music Foundation, under which Ghetto Classics lies. Currently, Wamocho is a director of music at Ghetto Classics.
Wamocho has so far performed with the most recognized orchestras in Kenya – Kenya Youth Orchestra, Nairobi Orchestra, the Kenya Music Conservatoire Orchestra and the Ghetto Classics. With the Ghetto Classics, he has led the orchestra in a program of popular favorites that fully engage the attention of the audience.
On his experience with working with Jimek, he describes it as one of the best things that could happen to his musical dream.
“Jimek is an amazing producer. His style is intrinsic and the kids were always happy when he was around. His production style is one I look up to plus he’s a brilliant musician. I admire the fact that when he starts working on music, nothing else matters. He’ll make sure that the kids learn something new and he’ll do it with his whole heart”
Jimek said: “I’ve never seen a heart like that of Elizabeth Njoroge. Working with her has changed my life. The fact that I’m here with the kids for the second time is all because of Elizabeth and the work of Mr. Collymore and Safaricom Jazz Festival and I’m more than humbled to play with these talented kids again and especially for the 5th year anniversary of the Safaricom Jazz Festival!”
