Wanaku

Wanaku, a folk artist, instrumentalist, lyricist, singer/songwriter/composer, musician, performing artist, political activist, and DigitalMedia Producer/Director, draws inspiration from indigenous/tribal/aboriginal music. Wanaku, born Kenn Wanaku, grew up in the grass field hills of the Adamawa, West Africa, a region perched on rolling hills at more than 4000 ft above sea level, with a concentration of several tribes, each with specific cultural attributes. Kenn grew up experiencing and taking an active part in musical and public performance events in this context especially during the many competitive harvest and arts festivals in between the tribes. Growing up in his grandfather's coffee farm in Ex-British Cameroons, where entertainment after a good day's work, included improvisation of popular songs using xylophones, cowbells, whistles, drums, gongs, home-made stringed instruments, flutes, horns, shakers and sometimes farm equipment as backup instruments, Kenn sees this backdrop as a good foundation for writing songs that not only have a tribal root but also a communal appeal. Wanaku moved to the US in 1993 and has been sharing African music in various performance venues across the country. Kenn treasures every chance to entertain with music – a time to heal … a time to share the love and joy of living with others – the human community.

Kenn has released the following 5 music albums: Recent Works: AfrikaWanda (1991) - Save Afrika (2000) - AfrikanGuitarStrophy (2006) - Bei Samoh (Tell The Truth) (2010) - Indigenous People (2012)

Kenn listens to Ali Farka Toure, Youssou N'dour, Paul Simon, Fela Anikulakpo Kuti, Miriam Makeba, Tsala Muana, George Benson, Wes Montgomery, Quincy Jones, Hugh Masekela, Manu Dibango, Sam Fan Thomas, Tetes Brulees (Burnt Heads), BB King, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Greatful Dead, Baka Beyond, Robert Marley…. Kenn's musical instrument of choice is the guitar.

Drawing on a culturally rich past and passionate vision for the future, Wanaku lives in the moment. "The show must go on". Artist's Statement: Drawing on a culturally rich past and passionate vision for the future, Wanaku lives in the moment. "The show must go on".