Daniel Njoroge Njuguna says music is the one thing that gives him structure in life and keeps him centred.
Listening to Daniel who hails from Kenya sharing his story, and more specifically his music journey, it is clear to see that he was born with a passion for music and the arts. He moved to Worcester five years ago from Botswana where he extensively did most of his music work and productions.
“My inspiration and influence come from an urge within me to create and imagine music,” says Daniel.
According to Daniel, he was raised and educated within a strict and confined environment. At a young age his mother noticed his keen interest in modifying milk cans and making string instruments with sisal strings to emulate a guitar.
This led to his mother ordering him a guitar from the USA, which he was only allowed to play on Sunday afternoons. “But I had to be at my best behaviour,” says Daniel.
He says his parents never encouraged or entertained the thought of his interest in music but that didn’t deter him. Daniel could then be found hanging around the school piano and when it was not in use, he would play melodies he heard by ear, being his closest link to his undying desire to hear the sound of music from the instrument.
According to Daniel his mother finally gave in after much convincing and pestering of his desire to study music which is when he enrolled at the Arcadia music school and later The Music Academy in Nairobi to take up piano studies. This put him through the royal school of music ABRSM exams which was classical based and the foundation of his piano knowledge. To date this has set him on the path of his music career and experiences he still enjoys.
Daniel’s interests explore cross-genre styles namely classical, RnB and jazz which is the feature characteristic of his fusion style.
From a young age, I have always enjoyed listening to a variety of music styles and all I wanted was to create good music
Daniel has had many accomplishments in his music career. He led a team to win the national drama competition, where he played the main character. As a result, he got a call from the Kenya broadcasting corporation to do a season on local drama that aired on TV. His saxophone playing saw him feature as a resident act at the New Stanley hotel, Zen restaurant and he was a guitar and piano instructor at the gym music school.
His move to Botswana was a game changer as this allowed him to venture into jazz music. He enrolled for online jazz piano studies with the Berklee College of Music in the USA.
He was the resident pianist at the Grand Palm Hotel, Botswana, which boasts of the prestige of hosting world renowned dignitaries. Some of the private functions saw him play for the former SA President Thabo Mbeki and state President Ian Khama.
He has had the privilege of curtain raising and sharing the stage with the likes of David Sanborn (USA), Joe Sample (USA), Salif Keita (Mali), Mori Kante (Guinea) and the late Hugh Masekela (SA).
“In my short stay in Worcester, I did some piano entertainment at the Cumberland Hotel, gave piano and guitar lessons at the Zamar music school at Hugo Naude Art School and currently continue with my private music lessons,” says Daniel.
“My approach to music is what drives my intellectual views, which is why I explore different genres and works of famous composers,” he says.
Daniel will be performing at the Cheese Festival taking place in Sandringham, Stellenbosch, from 26-28 April. For any enquiries and information regarding his music services contact Daniel on
0781493934 or dnjoroged@gmail.com or dannie@dejuga.co.za
