Kenyan Artiste Collabo’s with Former A Tribe Called Quest Member

Guitarist Kato Change has just gotten back home from a month-long tour of the United States where he collaborated with Jazz, Hiphop and pop greats like Dave Douglas, Greg August, Mark Stewart, Mathew Garrison, producer Joel Hamilton and most notably Tribe Called Quest’s Ali Shaheed.

Ali Shaheed released five albums as part of A Tribe Called Quest before starting The Ummah, a music production collective, with Jay Dee and former ‘Quest partner, Q-Tip. He also went on to form an RnB group, Lucy Pearl, before releasing a solo album, Shaheedullah and Stereotypes.

A charismatic performer with inimitable improv chops, Kato Change flirts with virtuosity. Hailing from Kenya, the guitarist’s beaming onstage persona is paired with a nimble command of his instrument. Kato continually draws from a heritage of jazz as well as flamenco, rhythm and blues and rock genres, creating sounds that are both familiar and utterly singular. Check out his latest single, Sta.Ka.To, here.

Kato Change is one of the premiere jazz guitarists in Kenya and a champion of dynamic global cultural exchange. Self-taught, Kato’s curiosity in guitar was nurtured by an emerging online community of musicians on YouTube. Foundational to his ornate, self-directed style is a universal musical pulse, energized by the continuous feedback loops that link artists across the globe.

In his live videos, one can observe his leadership and generous collaborative spirit. A much sought-after player, Kato strums regularly alongside his jazz ensemble, The Change Quartet, Atemi Oyungu, Maia Von Lekow and Ma3 the Band. Kato has both worked and shared stages with a diverse number of international artists including Omar Lye Fook, James Blunt, Kirk Franklin and Freshlyground among others.