King Achilla Orru Apaa-idomo is a Uganda-born blind musician who has been based in Toronto, Canada since 1995. His primary instrument is the lukembé (thumb piano). His ethnic background is Karamojong. The group he performs with is called Baana Afrique.



Biography:

When Achilla Orru was born among the Karimojong people in Northeastern Uganda, the birth of the apaa-idomo (the multi-coloured bull) was an auspicious event to be celebrated. With his international debut album in 1996, Achilla Orru lived up to the title Apaa-idomo, for like the multi-coloured bull, he is a musician to behold and listen to.



During his formative years at the Madera special school for the blind in Soroti Teso his extraordinary musical talent was recognized and developed. In 1975, the lokembe earned a special place in Orru's heart. This was the year he won the Junior Award for the Thumb-Piano at the Uganda National Music Festival in Kampala. In 1976 he stunned the audiences of the National Theatre of Uganda when he broke with tradition and presented a troupe of twelve young women playing lokembe. Under his direction, these students from Berkley High Girls School in Iganga earned first place in the folk instruments category.



There was no turning back as Orru nurtured his talent and widened the scope of his repertoire until he could make the lokembe sing in any language and style".



In his quest to conquer the world, Orru set foot on four continents. In the process he learned many languages and completed his university degree at Dalhousie University, in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Most importantly, he indulged his passion for reinventing the lokembe to bring it to new heights, mastering it like never before.



As the undisputed master of the lokembe, sometimes referred to as the akogo, sanza, akadongo, and kalimba (thumb-piano), Orru's colourfuly crafted music demands the rapt attention from everyone. In Orru's hands, the lokembe is transformed into the very embodiment of spiritual reawakening of his traditional culture. When I sing with it, when I hear it, there is a part of me that becomes one with the world around me, he says.



His latest CD, Te-Kwarro, is dedicated to the preservation of the cultural roots of the lokembe and also recognizes the contributions and sacrifices of great heroes in Uganda's struggle for independence and development. It equally embraces the innovation of the lokembe as it interacts with other instruments - the fiddle, the flute, the trumpet, the bass guitar - to mention but a few. Te-Kwarro, when directly translated, simply means "the cultural foundations". This CD honours the efforts of past generations and is dedicated to the preservation and innovation of the lokembe tradition. It is dedicated to all the artists, particularly local musicians, in Uganda and the world. It also celebrates the benefits of multiculturalism in Canada.



Orru's sweet voice transports the listener to his ancestral lands. True to his roots, the music combines poetry, chants and the melodic sound of the lokembe. Yet, with deft finger movements never before attempted on the lokembe, Orru shifts the musical landscape to Central Africa, South Africa, India, North America and back to his village. Throughout the journey, the lokembe soars slowly until it achieves a rare intoxicating brew of polyrhythm that embraces the best of lokembe music ever recorded.



In Canada, Achilla Orru has put together a troupe of musicians known as Achilla Orru and Baana Afrique. The group has played across Canada and has been a favourite at fundraising events for non profit organizations like Amnesty International, the United Way, Canada World Youth, the CNIB, and universities. They have also been hired to play at functions for high profile businesses and corporations, including several banks and conferences, Air Canada, the Metropolitan Toronto Zoo, Ontario Place, Wayne Gretsky Restaurant and many others. Internationally Achilla Orru and his band recently toured Cuba and Europe.



In 1996 Achilla Orru was the recipient of the Fiatte Memorial Award for the best traditional performer. This is considered as Music Africa Canada's (Incorporated), most prestigious honour. In 2001 Orru wrote the sound track for the Canadian documentary "Ryan's Well".