Ten years, seven countries and tens of thousands of miles in the making, An East African Journey is the latest album from jazz pianist Omar Sosa, an artist who throughout his career has been interested in exploring African musical cultures and their connections with his own Afro-Cuban roots.

In 2009, Sosa embarked on a concert tour with stops in Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar, Sudan, Burundi, Zambia, and Mauritius. He met and collaborated with local, folkloric musicians and recorded the artists with a portable digital recording system. Artists who appear on An East African Journey include Olith Ratego (Kenya), Rajery and Monja Mahafay (Madagascar), Abel Ntalasha (Zambia), Steven Sogo (Burundi), Seleshe Damessae (Ethiopia), Dafaalla Elhag Ali (Sudan) and Menwar (Mauritius).

Sosa has produced and arranged these “field recordings” with the addition of acoustic piano, percussion, keyboard-bass, and harp. The result is a set of exquisite recordings featuring traditional sounds, instruments and voices combined with subtle touches of jazz and Western classical music.

These CDs were donated to RootsWorld by the artist and Ota Records. We thank them, and you, for supporting the magazine and radio program.

Find out more about Omar Sosa, including concert dates and other recordings

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w/ Dafaalla Elhag Ali "Meinfajria"

w/ Steven Sogo "Kwa Nyogokuru Revisted"

w/ Rajery "Tsiaro Tsara"

w/ Seleshe Demesse "Tizeta"

w/ Olith Ratego "Thuon Mok Loga"

w/ Menwar "Ravanna Dan Jazz"

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These CDs were donated to RootsWorld by the artist and Ota Records. We thank them, and you, for supporting the magazine and radio program.