Maurice Kirya

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Influenced by the beauty and unique spirit of his home, Uganda, Maurice Kirya’s music is an uncommon blend of soul, Afro, and R&B. At an early age, Maurice’s mother would gather all of her children around the fire and teach them how to sing. Maurice started singing professionally at age 15, recording with popular Ugandan gospel, rap, and jazz artists. He has performed with Tanzanian rapper A.Y, Bataka Underground, Indigenous from Belgium, and Winyo from Kenya. Maurice has performed throughout Africa, and was the 2007 best R&B artist winner of the Pearl of African Music Awards in Uganda. He was also nominated at the Kisima Awards in Kenya for best R&B song and was one of three artists selected to perform on the MTV BASE live concert in Uganda, where he performed with one of Nigeria’s most well-known artists, 2FACE IDIBIA. Maurice has written songs for jazz musician Brenda Nanyonjo, provided background vocals for singer and producer Steve Jean, and recorded the East African anthem with Susanna Owiyo from Kenya and Pauline Zongo from Tanzania. Most recently, Maurice was invited to perform at the home of Uganda’s President, His Excellency Yoweri Museveni. In 2008 Maurice joined hands with long-time friend and musician Kawesa to stage a concert, dubbed “Music with Heart,” that raised funds for children needing open heart surgery at the children's charity ward in the International Hospital Kampala.” He has worked and performed with Mali's legendary “Moussa Diallo,” opened for jazz artist “Jonathan Butler,” and was chosen one of the ten best live performer in Africa by “Sauti za Busara Music Festival.” Maurice also runs a monthly show titled ‘’The Maurice Kirya Experience’’ which showcases live acts from East Africa and numerous other parts of the world. “I want my music to move hearts, encourage hearts, strengthen hearts and heal them. I got a free gift from God and I must give freely to the people.”