According to Wikipedia a “Maestro (or maestra for women) means "master" or "teacher" in Italian, Spanish and Portuguese. It is used in English to designate a master in an artistic field - usually someone who has gained enough knowledge within that field to be able to teach students successfully, though the term may sometimes be conferred through sheer respect for an artist's works. The term is most commonly used with respect to classical music and opera, most likely due to the heavy influence of Italian operatic traditions in many Western classical and operatic music schools. For instance, composers, orchestra conductors, and music teachers are frequently given this title. The word is less commonly, but sometimes, used in other fine arts traditions such as drawing, painting, and sculpture as well, but there "master", as in Old Master, Old master print etc, is far more common. In this sense it is derived from the rank of "free master" in a guild such as the painters' guild. When not used in a satirical sense, it is a highly respectful term, meant to convey appreciation for the skill of the master artist. “
I don’t know about you but the first time I heard about Hellon was as a member of the temporary “faculty” of Tusker Project Fame. Off course he has three jazz albums to his credit and late last year he started the Starry Nights performances in his Runda House! Now, none of the other members of the TPF “faculty” has attempted to adopt the title maestro despite some like Achieng Abura being multiple album artists. In a city teeming with talent where 15,000 can get you an album from the mushrooming studios, I don’t think 3 albums qualify one to be a maestro.
If you put Ken Wa Maria and our Hellon in a competition on who deserves the title maestro more, I would put my money on Ken Wa Maria. But our celeb-obsessed entertainment journalists who love to confer titles carelessly will definitely go for Hellon.
You want a maestro? Try India’s AR Rahman.
According to Wikipedia a “Maestro (or maestra for women) means "master" or "teacher" in Italian, Spanish and Portuguese. It is used in English to designate a master in an artistic field - usually someone who has gained enough knowledge within that field to be able to teach students successfully, though the term may sometimes be conferred through sheer respect for an artist's works. The term is most commonly used with respect to classical music and opera, most likely due to the heavy influence of Italian operatic traditions in many Western classical and operatic music schools. For instance, composers, orchestra conductors, and music teachers are frequently given this title. The word is less commonly, but sometimes, used in other fine arts traditions such as drawing, painting, and sculpture as well, but there "master", as in Old Master, Old master print etc, is far more common. In this sense it is derived from the rank of "free master" in a guild such as the painters' guild. When not used in a satirical sense, it is a highly respectful term, meant to convey appreciation for the skill of the master artist. “
I don’t know about you but the first time I heard about Hellon was as a member of the temporary “faculty” of Tusker Project Fame. Off course he has three jazz albums to his credit and late last year he started the Starry Nights performances in his Runda House! Now, none of the other members of the TPF “faculty” has attempted to adopt the title maestro despite some like Achieng Abura being multiple album artists. In a city teeming with talent where 15,000 can get you an album from the mushrooming studios, I don’t think 3 albums qualify one to be a maestro.
If you put Ken Wa Maria and our Hellon in a competition on who deserves the title maestro more, I would put my money on Ken Wa Maria. But our celeb-obsessed entertainment journalists who love to confer titles carelessly will definitely go for Hellon.
You want a maestro? Try India’s AR Rahman.
2 comments:
Whether you like or hate him..his life in Starehe boys saw him win many music awards during music festivals..he is a teacher of music..matter of fact he taught school set pieces while he was still in high school..and finally he taught his wife music..now she is a teacher in some of Nairobi's best schools..so according to your definition...maestro he is.
Going by wikipedia's definition of maestro "a master in an artistic field - usually someone who has gained enough knowledge within that field to be able to teach students successfully, though the term may sometimes be conferred through sheer respect for an artist's works.", then Hellon qualifies.
(1)He has a music school and has been teaching music for quiet a while now
(2)He really is a master saxophonist, up there with the best in Africa, he has very few peers (if any) in Kenya. I say this coz I have watched his performances and listened to his albums and they are electrifying to say the least. Any serious and honest jazz enthusiast will concur with me.
Well, apparently you consider a (musical) maestro as one who has produced many albums - at least more than 3. A queer criterion if you asked me. Anyway, its your opinion. My advice is for you to follow your own advice. Give credit where it is due bana.
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