About Ssewa Ssewa

James Ssewakiryanga, professionally known as Ssewa Ssewa, is a multi-instrumentalist, singer, songwriter, and luthier from Uganda whose work has fundamentally reshaped the landscape of contemporary African folk music. He is best recognized as the inventor of the Janzi, a unique string instrument that bridges the gap between traditional Ugandan sounds and modern musical scales.

Ssewa Ssewa’s journey began in a family deeply rooted in the performing arts. Growing up in Uganda, he was immersed in the sounds of traditional instruments like the adungu (arched harp) and the endingidi (tube fiddle). His formal education and early professional years were spent honing his craft as a versatile performer, eventually leading him to master several traditional instruments and the guitar.

His vision was always focused on preservation through innovation—finding a way to make the ancestral sounds of Uganda accessible to a global, modern audience without losing their cultural soul. The Invention Of Janzi
In 2017, Ssewa Ssewa achieved a historic milestone in African ethnomusicology with the creation of the Janzi.

The Instrument: The Janzi is a 22-stringed instrument consisting of two parallel scales. Unlike the traditional adungu, which is often limited to a pentatonic scale, the Janzi is tuned to a diatonic scale. It features two necks and is crafted from mahogany and cowhide.

The dual-scale system allows for complex harmonies and chromatic possibilities that were previously difficult to achieve on traditional Ugandan harps. In 2020, the Janzi was officially patented by the African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO), marking it as a distinct and protected Ugandan invention.

The Janzi Band To showcase the capabilities of his invention, Ssewa Ssewa formed the Janzi Band. The ensemble has become one of Uganda's premier live music acts, known for a signature style often referred to as "Ethno-fusion." The band blends the intricate plucking of the Janzi with brass, drums, and electric guitars.

They have performed at major international festivals, including Blankets and Wine and the DOADOA East African Performing Arts Market, and have collaborated with a wide array of artists, including Lamu and Jonathan Da Diva. Their performances are celebrated for their technical precision and high-energy storytelling.