Samite of Uganda

Artist’s Website

Returning to the etown stage on the heels of his most recent release, Tunula Eno (Triloka Records 2003), Uganda-raised Samite grew up as one of the most highly acclaimed flutists in East Africa. In 1982 he fled to Kenya as a political refugee, continuing to play instruments and rhythms from the traditional Ugandan music scene. Delivering his smooth vocals in his mother tongue, Luganda, he moved audiences with original compositions played on kalimba (finger-piano), marimba (wooden xylophone), litungu (seven-stringed Kenyan instrument) and various flutes – traditional and western. Samite eventually immigrated to the United States in 1987, and has since made his living as Uganda’s unofficial music ambassador to the U.S. In addition, Samite is the director of the non-profit organization, Musicians for World Harmony, whose mission is to “to enable musicians throughout the world to share their music to promote peace, understanding, and harmony among peoples with a special emphasis on the displaced or distressed who could benefit most from the healing power of music.” Representing the embodiment of etown’s mission to provide music with message, Samite hopes to open peoples’ minds and hearts to the common threads of human concerns, conveying optimism through stories and song.