Kamau Kenyatta

Kamau Kenyatta grew up surrounded by a family that had a deep running passion for music, and as a result Kamau was able to get his first clarinet when his grandfather, an electrician by trade, bartered with one of his customers to support young Kamau’s growing passion for music. Later he decided to switch from the clarinet for something he saw as being a bit more hip, the saxophone, which was also given to him by his grandfather. After graduating high school, Kamau auditioned and joined Donald Byrd as part of his band and toured the country opening for acts like Richard Pryor and Earth, Wind, & Fire. As a musician, producer, arranger, and music educator, Kamau’s passion for music is evident as he reflects on his career during his oral history interview.