more from
Dagoretti Records
We’ve updated our Terms of Use to reflect our new entity name and address. You can review the changes here.
We’ve updated our Terms of Use. You can review the changes here.

"Where I go, I am there​.​"

by Oduor Nyagweno

/
  • Streaming + Download

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    Purchasable with gift card

      $7 USD  or more

     

  • Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album

    Benefit compilation of recordings of Mzee Nyagweno.

    Includes unlimited streaming of "Where I go, I am there." via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    ships out within 7 days
    Purchasable with gift card

      $10 USD or more 

     

  • Full Digital Discography

    Get all 38 Dagoretti Records releases available on Bandcamp and save 70%.

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality downloads of "Where I go, I am there.", s/t, Lockdown Tapes #7: Static Static, Color is not a crime - a benefit compilation, Lockdown Tapes #6: Jim Cherewick, Lockdown Tapes #8: Wheel of Misfortune, Lockdown Tapes #5: Mike List, Lockdown Tapes #4: Benni "Inguma", and 30 more. , and , .

    Purchasable with gift card

      $48 USD or more (70% OFF)

     

  • Oduor Nyagweno "Where I go, I am there" LP
    Record/Vinyl + Digital Album

    Limited LP version, limited to 100 copies, shipping now! Proceeds go to Oduor Nyagweno himself.

    Includes unlimited streaming of "Where I go, I am there." via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

    Sold Out

1.
2.
Asuka 05:46 video
3.
4.
At Bega 04:20
5.
6.
At Korogocho 06:28
7.
Otieno 02:20
8.
9.
Olang 02:55
10.

about

Oduor “Nyagweno” Vitalis Okech is among the last of the great elder nyatiti masters in Kenya and perhaps the nyatiti's greatest living player.

Hailing from the Ugenya area of Siaya County along Lake Victoria, he was born in the late 1940s to a typically poor household. Nyagweno was responsible for caring for the household livestock which prevented him from attending school. At 14 years of age he had a dream about the nyatiti and when he awoke the following day, he was magically able to play it, or so the legend goes. Nyagweno started entering nyatiti competitions and quickly moved up the ranks to become one of the best nyatiti players in the area.

He has played the nyatiti at competitions, for tourists, played for Presidents of the US, for all of the Presidents of Kenya, has travelled all over Europe, China, South America, the US and elsewhere. His lifetime achievements are numerous and worthy of respect in any context.

Mzee Nyagweno taught me everything I know about the nyatiti and a lot about music and being a musician. My debt to him cannot be overstated. I studied under the mzee for most of my time in Kenya. At first, he didn't take me seriously, but gradually as we met more and more frequently and our relationship deepened, he began to open himself up, providing me with invaluable knowledge about nyatiti, music and life. I will never forget that time and to this day every piece of music I do has a piece of Nyagweno included somewhere.

Like musicians everywhere, Nyagweno struggles in the era of Covid-19. Gigs are gone, revenue streams for everyone are strained so that all his sources of income have effectively dried up.

This benefit is intended to help raise money to build the old man a new house in Nairobi so that he can house himself and his family and continue to give lessons to anyone who needs them. We are asking that everyone give generously to help us meet this goal.

While we would simply press his music up on vinyl and sell records, in this case, we felt that the money might be better spent supporting Nyagweno himself. Dagoretti Records will be matching all sales and contribution so that for every dollar you offer, we will match a dollar of our own.

Please consider helping us and Mzee Nyagweno.

Thank you,

Pete Larson

credits

released February 21, 2021

Oduor Nyagweno - nyatiti

Recorded by Pete Larson

Pete Larson plays on Otieno
Rapasa Nyatrapasa Otieno plays on Kwetu Nyawara
Daniel Onyango plays on Maya Thumwa Manyaka Nene

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

Dagoretti Records Ann Arbor, Michigan

"Dagoretti" is the confluence of three large pathways in Nairobi connecting all of Kenya together. It is also the Swahilified pronounciation of "The great." We like to think that we put out great records that connect distant places together.

contact / help

Contact Dagoretti Records

Streaming and
Download help

Shipping and returns

Redeem code

Report this album or account

If you like "Where I go, I am there.", you may also like: