Life & Work with Samuel Nalangira of Kalamazoo

Today we’d like to introduce you to Samuel Nalangira.

Alright, thank you for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us how you got started?
At the age of 6 is when I discovered my talent in music. I was in class, and I heard the school choir and drums. After hearing the drums, I told my teacher I wanted to go out for a short call (this means a bathroom break) to have a chance to play the drums. The choir teacher invited me to play and asked me to play a simple beat, which I did perfectly. Then at the age of 8, I was taken from the village to go to a school called Brian Becca, located in a city called Mbarara. This school gave me a chance to get a better education and have more opportunities in music. I started teaching music at 15 and ended up in Kampala’s capital. I performed with several groups and bands: Nkwazi, Udungu family, Crane Performers, Shaku Shaku, Music Beat of Africa, Drum Beat of Uganda, UNCB, and Sabar Zimbula. I was also teaching music and dance at the following: Cambridge High School, Crane High School, Jojana Primary School, National Contemporary Ballet, Mlisada, and so on. Through this process, I met Kinobe, and he introduced me to Mlisada/Dance of Hope. I started teaching the Dance of Hope group, and we traveled worldwide. We first came to the U.S. at the beginning and end of 2018. I had been teaching the students in Dance of Hope for 6 years, and they were now graduating and ready to start their careers. At this point, I decided to focus on my music career, which is how I ended up in the U.S.

Please talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned. Looking back, has it been easy or smooth in retrospect?
No, of course, there were obstacles along the way; there are a lot of sacrifices I have had to make, such as being away from my family for long periods. Taking opportunities below my desired pay rate, not knowing where I am going next or who the audience I will be performing for or teaching, language barriers, and cultural differences. Another big challenge is the financial piece of being a musician: the expenses of recording an album, paying for professional videos and photos, and paying for a venue – all without a sponsorship.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a world folk musician specializing in Ugandan folk music. I play traditional African instruments which I make myself.

Below is my biography from my website:
A native of Uganda, East Africa, Samuel Nalangira is a folk/world musician, dancer, and choreographer who has been performing since childhood and teaching since the age of 15. He is a multi-instrumentalist and a master at many traditional instruments, including the Adungu from northern Uganda, Akogo from Eastern Uganda, Endingidi, percussion, and Ngoni. He has also developed unique approaches and personal techniques on most of these instruments. In combination with a soaring voice, his music carries a true identity of the sub-Saharan skies. He has toured across Europe, the United States, Canada, and Asia performing and leading workshops in schools, universities, festivals, and community centers. In 2018, with children from Uganda, Samuel Nalangira choreographed and led the DANCE OF HOPE production across the United States with featured performances at the LEAF festival NC and Lotus Blossoms IN. Since then, he has been featured in many music festivals, concerts, and schools for performances and workshops. [END OF BIO}

I am most proud of always being my authentic self. Through the many challenges, the life of a musician and music teacher brings, I always stay true to my morals and values. What makes me unique is that I can pick up a new instrument and figure it out quickly. I can sit in with new bands on the fly, without rehearsals or even knowing their music.

Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
I was always outgoing and liked to have fun and make jokes. I wanted to learn a lot and discover new things. I loved making new friends. I love to share anything I have, whether it be food or sharing my talent. My interests were helping my family on the farm and, of course, music. I loved building instruments and teaching dances. Teaching dances was my favorite thing to do; it still is!

Contact Info:

• Website: http://samuelnalangira.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nalangira_music/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Nalangira-music-104633362298012/
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCrwC1hZWAPnlSmrQvwTvukA
• Other: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7KOx2ijFU6bJOf6AznlJxA?si=1uEMTGBQQT2PZSTHSwRoEg 

Image Credits
Knarf Bizzaro (2 of the photos: One with a blue bright colorful shirt on with foot on drum and second one with long sleeve colorful shirt drumming with percussionist)