Tuned In: Rapapa Nyatrapasa Otieno

Tuned In London presents a year of concerts that invite audiences to reflect on the movement of people around the world, people who up sticks for a multitude of reasons, and head to lands unknown, marking the 400th anniversary of the Mayflower Ship leaving Rotherhithe's shore, captained and crewed by Rotherhithe residents. [NP]Singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and great advocate of traditional music. Rapasa plays several of the indigenous instruments of East Africa, his principal one being the Nyatiti, a beautiful eight-string lyre belonging to the Lüo community, whose people have now settled along the Kenyan shores of Nam Lolwe (Lake Victoria), where he is from. His music gives an insight into our ancestors' wisdom and is steeped in heritage. Rapasa will take us on a journey, following the music of the Nyatiti as his ancestors migrated with it along the great waterway that is the Nile, drawing a likeness to those who set sail aboard the Mayflower and headed seaward from our own riverside community. Currently based in Newcastle, Rapasa has taken part in the prestigious One Beat (Oregon), Nile Project and recent Making Tracks programmes and toured internationally.