Johwa's music to feature on US documentary

LEKOPANYE MOOKETSI
Correspondent | Thursday April 29, 2010 00:00

 

Reynold's parents, Marvin and Beth were then working in the northern Botswana.

When growing up, Reynold and Johwa were boyhood pals.

The two had lost touch but Teddy heard about Johwa in the United States of America (US) where he is settled.  This is why he wants Johwa's music incorporated into the documentary.

To this end, Johwa's performance will be captured live tomorrow (Friday) during a tribute concert to the Reynolds, which is being organised by StreetHorn Promotions, at the Thapama Lodge, Francistown. Speaking in an interview, Johwa said he was delighted to be part of this project. Another folklore singer Malefo Mokha, who is popularly known as Stampore, will also be performing at Thapama Lodge on Saturday.  According to the promoters, the show will move to other places like Maun, Gantsi and Jwaneng later in the year.

Stampore, who is renowned for his four-stringed guitar, has transformed his one man act.  He has been joined by the keyboard maestro Gavin Bantom, while Solomon 'Solo B' Monyame is handling the upright bass with Tavonga on drums.  According to information from his recording company, Small House Records, Stampore is one of the more popular folk musicians in Botswana.  He hails from Molepolole and was born in a music family.  His elder brother Kotaeshele, who is a great guitarist, taught him how to play the four-stringed guitar.  His father, Baponi was a great Segaba player and had an influence in Stampore's passion for music.  Baponi and Stampore's mother, MmaKelete who have both died had four boys namely; Sebini, Kotaeshle, Stampore and Matlho.

Growing up in 'Phuwas' as Molepolole is known, Stampore never had any formal education as the family was poor.  He helped his family with farming and also learnt much about the guitar during his spare time.  He practised singing as well.

His first album, Saenele was released in 1996 under the Eric Ramco Records and has 10 tracks.  He played along side other great musicians like Andries Bok, Banjo Mosele and Johwa.  His music is played extensively on Radio Botswana (RB)especially on RB 1 Sunday programme Dipina le Maboko.  In 1989 he travelled with Ditholwana traditional troupe to New York. 

Stampore is often, called to community outings where he usually performs some of his songs.  He has also staged shows in local venues like Satchmo's and the Millennium jazz restaurants.  During the Easter holidays, he was amongst local musicians who staged a show in Mafikeng in South Africa. 

In 2007, Stampore was signed to Small House Records and his album, Stampore was released the following year.  His song Re Batswana is used in the No.1 Ladies Detective Agency/Mma Ramotswe movie.  During the shooting of Mma Ramotswe, he was called to be one of the local artists to perform during a party held for the crew.  As expected, he blew them away with his performance. Stampore changed his stage performance last year by including a three-piece live band. 

His new band took the industry by storm, staging performances all over the city. Some of the prestigious concerts that they headlined included Letlhafula Cultural Day, the 25th anniversary of the Botswana Gazette newspaper, Maun Festival and the Setswana Cultural Day.

Of late, Stampore has increased his three-piece band to a quartet, bringing on board Bantom, a very talented pianist and music teacher.

Stampore's quartet has already performed a number shows including the 'Guitar Night for Haiti' and 'Di a Duma' Festival.  Small House Records has commissioned young producers to an urban compilation of Stampore's music, hence the project titled Stampore the remixes. 

This project will see Stampore's music being fused with the new generation's genres, which include house and hip hop.In the interim, Stampore and his quartet are working on compositions and arrangements in preparation for recording a new album in the second half of the year.