Ganda Boys
| Ganda Boys | |
|---|---|
| Origin | UK |
| Genres | African Fusion, Contemporary (at the time), Soulful, Afrobeat, World Music |
| Labels | Heaven on Earth Music |
| Website |
gandaboys |
| Members |
Dan Sewagudde Denis Mugaga Craig Pruess |
The "Ganda Boys" are UK-based Ugandan singers Denis Mugagga and Dan Sewagudde (formerly of DaTwins[1] fame) teamed up with UK world musician, arranger, record producer and film composer, Craig Pruess, to form an African fusion band. The three Ganda Boys have started the Ganda Foundation[2] in the UK, but are operating in Uganda, East Africa, as a registered charity organization for raising money for social programs to combat poverty in the Third World – starting with raising funds and providing equipment for hospitals in Uganda and schools in need.
Early Days
The Ganda Boys were formed during 2008 through an award-winning collaboration on the highly acclaimed 2009 BBC television drama series, Moses Jones, which was nominated for a 2010 British Academy Award for "Best Original Music Score" for Ganda Boys member and producer, Craig Pruess.
Songwriting is shared among the three core members of the Ganda Boys, with the overall recorded sound under the guidance of world fusion expert and performer, Craig Pruess – an American multi-instrumentalist musician, award-winning composer, arranger, gold and platinum record producer.
Living in Kenya, East Africa, for some years, Craig became known in the music scene there after joining the East Conservatoire of Music in Nairobi as a full-time member of the music-teaching staff, becoming conductor of the Nairobi Symphony Orchestra and performing as a classical trumpet soloist. He was often in conflict with the conservative conservatoire establishment for becoming well known in Kenya for his rock and soul band, Mashada. However, he was successful in headlining a major national performance of the Hadyn Trumpet Concerto in Eb at the National Theatre.
Based in the UK since leaving Kenya in 1973, Craig has arranged and/or produced many of the UK's top recording artists, including Massive Attack, Sir Elton John Def Leppard, Sir Cliff Richard, Bond, Def Leppard, and has been a featured session musician for Joe Cocker, Mike Oldfield and the Madonna film, "The Next Best Thing".
His expertise and sitar playing can be heard on "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory", "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire", "The Guru" and the Warner Brothers film "A Little Princess".
Craig's number one UK box office composer credits include the soundtracks for films "Bend It Like Beckham" and "Bride and Prejudice", and his credits for TV music include the 2010 BAFTA Award nominated and 2009 Royal Television Society award nomination (for best original music score) BBC television drama series, Moses Jones, as well as one of the most successful independent TV drama series in UK history, "Peak Practice[3]".
It was during the making of the prime time BBC series, "Moses Jones", that Craig first met and worked with the Ugandan singers, Denis and Dan. They have continued to create an impressive catalogue of songs and master recordings in addition to concert performances around the globe and their Ganda Foundation charity work.
Band members
- Craig Pruess
- Denis Mugagga
- Daniel Sewagudde
Albums
- 2012: Africa
- 2009: The War Of Love
See also
- One-hit wonders in the UK
References
- Ganda boys founders jets in for awareness at http://newvision.co.ug
- Ganda boys stay true to their name at http://monitor.co.ug
- Ganda Boys make history in UK at http://observer.ug