Juma Tutu of the Swahili Jazz Band cut his musical teeth at the feet of the master Mzee Ngala of Bango Sounds; who is hailed as the greatest saxophonist out of the Coast of Kenya. As early as 1999 Tutu played with the Bango Sounds as Ngala taught him the basics of standard Jazz. Mzee Ngala remains his top musical influence. He was born into a musical family; his father was a performing musician and his mother was also singer. His father also got him his first musical apprenticeship. He can play the saxophone, drums, guitar, and keyboard. His favourite being the sax. He is also a music teacher conversant with all types of instruments. He has been instrumental in teaching Kenya's top drummers like Amani Baya and George Mtinda.
Other pivotal musical influences for Juma Tutu were Fela Kuti, Joshua Redman and Stan Gates. By the time he left Bango sounds he didn't get another opportunity to play jazz styled music until his debut at the Safaricom International Jazz festival. Juma's career took a turning point in 2001, when Teddy Kalanda left Them Mushrooms band. Desperate to get a replacement, they enlisted him as their newest band recruit. The rest is history.  Check out our interview with him:
Why do you consider Jazz is the mother of music?
To be able to play Jazz you have to have a certain level of musical skill and knowledge. Improvisation is the top element in jazz; and someone who plays understands how to switch up, play around and create different melodies and harmonies usually excels at all other musical genres. Jazz is addictive to me. The more I play it the more I want to play! It feels like therapy to me; I feel quite fulfilled playing jazz.
What do you enjoy about playing in a band?
A band allows you to express the music the way you composed or visualised it. A good band with great chemistry enhances a song far better than just listening on radio. That is why live music can be transformational compared to just listening to a CD.
If you could perform with any musician, who would it be and why?
They are so many! But if I had to choose, I would say Marcus Miller because I feel like we have a similar style when composing and arranging music. His music also has some African inspired melodies and I really like that. Coincidentally he has a song called Tutu (it's meant to be)! I must mention Joshua Redman at the top of my list- he is an incredible saxophonist and wildly creative. I would be an honour to learn one or two things from him and also share a few of my tricks too.
Do you compose? If so, what is your creative process? And what inspires you musically?
I do compose a lot! My process throughout the years has been natural and organic; all based on normal life experiences. I never write based on trends or just on the spot. Sometimes songs come to me in the simplest situations like while I am traveling. A melody just comes to mind or a lyric and I note it down for later then I make it into a song together with my band. Sometimes ideas I have become much better when I work together with my colleagues-we feed off one another.
What do you think about the future of jazz in Kenya?
This is not just a Jazz music issue. I can say that overall, the music industry can be tough, demanding, expensive and depressing. It takes a lot to stick to it and to create consistently. Just one song can take years to produce. However, Jazz has grown in leaps and bounds in the past four years thanks to the Jazz festival by Safaricom. Bands like the Nairobi Horns Project and Shamsi Music have shown talent but most importantly they have been consistent- you can see they know where they are going and that is inspiring. I want to encourage more of us (musicians) to work on our own unique identity and authenticity in our music. You want someone to feel like they have never heard what you are playing before- I am working on that myself; creating a unique sound. I incorporate my roots and use Swahili inspired tunes and I believe that has contributed to building my name and the Swahili Jazz band brand overall. There's more to be learned of course; that's the beauty of music.
I also want to add that Kenya shouldn't leave the ball in Safaricom's court alone- as a sponsor and organiser. Unless other corporate entities join in, and work together to encourage and support current and upcoming artists the genre will continue to struggle, which would be a shame because there is so much untapped talent here. Talent can only go so far- you have to have music education. For Kenyan Jazz to survive we have to carve out our identity and then implement more structure to complement the passion we already have.
What's the best personal win that has happened so far in your career? 
I am so thankful for the gift of music because it has opened up opportunities I couldn't have imagined. I have been able to record a song titled Makande with none other than South Africa's Jimmy Dludlu.  I first performed with him in 2014 on stage and the song was released last year. Dludlu was among my lists of greats I wished to meet. To have him appreciate my work and be willing to record with me was a huge career win that I will always appreciate Safaricom for. It really changed my life.
I have also gotten international sponsorship through my music; in particular I was supported by a very supportive Japanese lady working with the IMF. Last year, after competition in their home country, the Italian Association of Jazz Musicians sent a student to me for a month month mentorship program where I trained the student in music. That was quite an honour for me. I really wish our government would do similar initiatives to encourage and appreciate great musicians. Music is seen as just a hobby- all fun and games. This attitude reflects on how artists are treated and how they are compensated for work done but look beyond and our borders and you will see that it can actually be a life career-we need to get to such a level as a country.
What can fans look forward to from Juma Tutu?
Soon my fans will be able to hear 12 new songs that I have been working on. I am very excited to share that once completed.