SAMUEL NALANGIRA

Samuel Nalangira is a Ugandan-born, Michigan-based multi-instrumentalist, composer, choreographer, and educator whose work bridges centuries-old African traditions with inventive contemporary expression.

Raised in Masaka, Uganda, Samuel’s love for music began early. At the age of eight, he was awarded a bursary to attend music school, where he learned traditional Ugandan instruments such as the Adungu (harp), Akogo (thumb piano), Endingidi (one-string fiddle), and the Amadinda (xylophone). By fifteen, he was already teaching music, driven by a deep commitment to sharing his culture with others.

Over the years, Samuel has mastered numerous African instruments and developed his own playing techniques. Many of his instruments are handmade, reflecting both resourcefulness and craftsmanship—often using creative materials such as fishing line for strings. His performances frequently blend live looping technology with traditional melodies and rhythms, creating the sound of a full ensemble from a single performer.

Samuel’s career has taken him across Africa, Europe, North America, and Asia, where he performs, teaches workshops, and collaborates with artists of diverse genres. In 2018, he choreographed Dance of Hope, a youth-focused production from Uganda that toured the United States, appearing at major festivals such as the LEAF Festival in North Carolina and Lotus Blossoms in Indiana.

His discography includes the solo album Amayengo (The Waves of the Lake) (2019), which earned multiple Jammie Award nominations, as well as Bwakakya, The Journey (with Mame Diack), and Mubayambe (Help the Needy) (2020). His most recent single, Wa Maama (Live), was released in 2025.

Currently based in Kalamazoo, Michigan, Samuel is affiliated with Kalamazoo College’s Music Department and continues to perform at cultural events, educational programs, and international festivals. In July 2025, he was featured in Detroit public radio station WDET’s “Sounds Like Detroit” showcase, the city’s version of the NPR Tiny Desk series.

Rooted in generosity, perseverance, and openness, Samuel’s music is as much about community as it is about sound—inviting audiences into the heartbeat of Uganda while embracing a global musical conversation.