Giovanni Kiyingi

Career

He is very well known for his skills as a multi-instrumentalist who plays the local Ugandan fiddle (Endingidi),akogo, Adungu, Guitar, Harmonica, Flute, Djembe, Calabash, congas, drums, the exotic maracas and many others He was one of the fewest Ugandan artists chosen to welcome Pope Francis to Uganda at Kololo on 27 November 2015. Giovanni holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Makerere University.

He is very fond of African fashion styles, dressing in kangas and Kitenge.

During his interview with Chimpreports, Kiyingi confirmed that he quit school for a year to concentrate on music first. He has graced festivals such as but not limited to Bayimba International Festival, Milege World Music Festival, Santuri Safari Projects, Kenyatta University Cultural Exchange, DOADOA, Irimba Cultural Festival, Arusha – Tanzania, headlined at Utam Festival – Kenya and Laba Festival of the arts in 2015, African Jazz Village, Sondeka Festival in Kenya.

Achievements

• His unique skills as a multi-instrumentalist, vocalist and performer have won him endless invitations to perform at major music festivals and co-operate events both in Uganda and the rest of the world. Kiyingi has performed at some of the biggest music festivals across Africa and the rest of the world alongside some of the biggest names in the music industry like Kora Award winner Suzan Kerunen, multiple award winner Maurice Kirya, Myco Ouma, the electrifying Jemimah Sanyu,Jude Mugerwa,Kinobe Herbert at Pearl Rhythm Festival 2012, Okello Lawrence and Joel Sebunjo at DOADOA 2014, Brian Mugenyi at Utam Festival in Kenya in 2015, the father of ethno jazz Mulatu Astatke at Jazz Village Ethiopia, Harry Lwanga, Ssali Muserebende, Kenya"s Makadem, Afrigo Band, and Ssarabi band.