Achieng Abura

Lydia Achieng Abura (died 20 October 2016) was a Kenyan musician who performed Afro-jazz, Afro-fusion, and gospel music.

Life

Abura was born in Eldoret and held an MSc. degree in Philosophy and Environmental studies. She had one child[1] named Prince.

She debuted with a gospel album called I Believe around 1990. Her following albums were Way Over Yonder and Sulwe. In 2002, when she had shifted to Afro-jazz, she released the album Maisha.[2] Kenyan musician Abbi was formerly Abura's backing vocalist before he became a prominent solo artist.[3] Later Abura released the album Spirit Of a Warrior. Her last album, titled Dhahabu Yangu was released in 2007 by the Blu Zebra label,[4] owned by Tedd Josiah.

She was the voice of Crow from Tinga Tinga Tales.

Abura won the Kora Award in 2004 for Best East African Female; the award was shared with Tsedenia Gebremarkos of Ethiopia.[5] She was a UNDP Goodwill ambassador.[6] She toured abroad, for example in Spain.[3]

She was part of the Divas of The Nile supergroup that featured four Kenyan female musicians. The others were Suzzana Owiyo, Mercy Myra, and Princess Jully. The group performed at the Festival Mundial in Tilburg, Netherlands in 2007.[7]

She acted as a principal of the East African Project Fame (TPF) in 2008.[1] She campaigned for the Global Call to Action Against Poverty.[8] She was among the Kenyan artistes sponsored by the Alliance Française in Nairobi.[9] Abura was nominated for the social responsibility category at the 2008 Kisima Music Awards.[10]

Abura died on 20 October 2016 after an illness at Kenyatta National Hospital.[11]

Legacy

Before she died Abura had set up an on-line fund for her son, Prince, who had a heart condition and sickle-cell anaemia. In the week following her death the fund grew considerably and a son was offered an educational scholarship.[12]

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References
  1. Tusker Project Fame 2008 Archived April 14, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  2. Daily Nation, Saturday Review, July 20, 2002: Chorus of hope as 8 Kenyans enter fete
  3. Italian Cultural Institute in Nairobi Abbi & Kikwetu in concert Archived July 22, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
  4. Radio France Internationale
  5. Cape Argus, December 13, 2004: SA musicians top of pops at Kora Awards
  6. UNDP: "WE ARE THE DRUMS -Africa 2015 news" Archived December 10, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  7. Sarakasi Trust: Annual Report 2007 Archived June 12, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  8. GCAP Africa June 17, 2005: Major advertising campaign launched in Kenya
  9. Daily Nation, Weekend Magazine, October 30, 2008: A new Kenyan sound on the way
  10. Kisima Awards: Nominees 2008 Archived 2008-10-14 at the Wayback Machine
  11. http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/article/2000220498/songstress-achieng-abura-dies-at-kenyatta-national-hospital
  12. Kenyans make enormous contribution for Achieng Abura's son, Tuko, Retrieved 27 October 2016


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