UK-based Tanzanian singer-songwriter

Guitarist and singer Kyazi Lugangira formed Kihaya Blues in 2012.  As an accomplished rhythm guitarist and vocalist, working with many talentent artists he started composing creatively and formed a band which later became Kihaya Blues.

Previously Kyazi performed and toured extensively internationally  with West African kora players Sona Jobarteh and Jally Kebba Susso as well as soul jazz artists Tone Richardson, Miryam Solomon, Bumi Thomas and dance music producers Kay Suzuki and Koichi Sakai (Ghetto Lounge).

This varied background and inspiration has fed into the  rich, rooted sound which can be heard  in the music with hints from East, West and  South Africa as well as Cape Verde, Madagascar and sometimes the Caribbean.  The music is a mix of soul, blues, Latin, jazz, funk and Manding with East African vocal tones sang in the Tanzanian language Kihaya from the Bahaya tribe of the Kagera region of Tanzania.

Kihaya Blues have played at many venues across London including Royal Festival Hall, Rich Mix, Strong Rooms, Passing Clouds, Ritzy and Hootanany’s.