East Africa get ready for the Simbin Project

The Simbin Project was born in 2016 out of the initiative of  Swiss multi-instrumentalist and producer Fred Hirschy. The ensemble will be touring Eastern Africa this March.

Hirschy has worked with the likes Didier Awadi, Faada Freddy, Tumi Molekane, Fredy Massamba, amongst others.

The particularity and strength of the Simbin Project is in the combination of the kora virtuoso, Noumoucounda, and the two Swiss pioneers of electronic and experimental music, Christophe Calpini and Pierre Audétat (the duo “Stade”).

For nearly 20 years, Noumoucounda has toured and recorded with the Positive Black Soul, of of the first African rap groups to play on international stages. Youssou N’Dour, Alpha Blondy and Stromae have joined the long list of artists who have worked with the kora player.

Influenced by hip hop, neo-soul and jazz, the project is constantly seeking the right balance between traditional music and ultra-modernity.

The Simbin project also consists of two horn players, Ganesh Geymeier, tenor saxophone and Zacharie Ksyk, trumpet, and regularly features  artists such as the Senegalese griot, Goundo Cissokho, or the rapper Rootwords.

“The sound is neither jazz-rock nor world music, but an original hybrid, which opens it to new horizons,” they say.

TOUR SCHEDULE
7  February,  Workshop at Nafasi Art Space, Dar es Salaam
8 February, perfromance atAlliançe Francaise Dar Es Salaam
10 February, Performance at Sauti Za Busara, Zanzibar
14 February, Performance at Alliançe Francaise Nairobi
15 February, Performance at J’s Fresh Bar & Kitchen, Nairobi

This East African tour is supported by Pro Helvetia Johannesburg, the Swiss Embassy in Tanzania, Alliançe Francaise in Dar Es Salaam and Nairobi.