Emmanuel Mwendwa Email and Phone Number

# As freelance writer/photo-journalist published broad scope features i.e visual artists/ musicians profiles, incisive interviews, human-interest stories and personal finance reviews. # Covered the arts, culture, music, travel, film, theatre, dance, women achievers, pioneered a column business mind focus on self-made next-door neighbour-like entrepreneurs profiles. # Reviews: Books, radio & TV, music CDs and art exhibition reviews among specialties. # Covered varied live music concerts i.e Sawa Sawa Festival [Nairobi - Kenya], Festival Mundial [Tilburg - Netherlands] & Joy of Jazz Festival [Johannesburg - South Africa] + numerous Safaricom Jazz Festival editions [Nairobi - Kenya] etc.# Exclusive interviews with ceramicist Magdalene Odundo, curator Simon Njami, installations/video artist Ingrid MwangiHutter, veteran painters/artists Charles Sekano, Elimo Njau, Jak Katarikawe [RIP], Patrick Mukabi. Leonard Kateete..# Exclusive interviews: African music renowned artistes Angelique Kidjo, Hugh Masekela [RIP], Baaba Maal, Soweto Strings Quartet, Oliver Mtukudzi [RIP], Yvonne Chaka Chaka, Alvin Slaughter [USA], Rebecca Malope, Ayub Ogada [RIP], Andy Brown [RIP], Ba Cissoko, Cecile Verny, Youssou N'Dour [ 1on1 press brief], East African Melody Taarab troupe..# Exclusive interviews: Kenyan artistes Fadhili Williams [RIP], Mzee Joseph Ngala, Nashon Gandani [RIP], Ochieng Nelly [RIP], David Amunga, Shem Tube, Mzee Ingosi [RIP], John Nzenze [RIP], Joseph Kamaru [RIP], Teddy Kalanda, Zuni Migoze, Achieng Abura [RIP], Suzanna Owiyo, Them Mushrooms band - [T. Kalanda, Billy Sarro, George Zirro [RIP], John Katana], Eric Wainaina, Sauti Sol, Juma Tutu, George Mutinda..# Exclusive interviews: International reggae front-liners Burning Spear, Luciano, Teddy Dan, Cedella Marley Booker [RIP], Jah Shaka, Lucky Dube [RIP], Mykal Rose, Levi Roots, Ducky Simpson, Iqulah Topping, Morgan Heritage, Tippa Irie, Ras Kenyatta.. among others.

Responsibilities: To create extensive database / affiliated artists portfolios and network with visual artists /ceramicists / sculptors in Kenya, the Diaspora, Europe and across Africa - Zimbabwe, South Africa, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Sudan, Eritrea, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Namibia, Senegal, Mali, Ghana, Egypt.. Achievements/targets inclusive somewhat rigorous weekly website updates with latest news from across the continent and the wider diaspora, features/ photography; Collect, often undertake interviews, compile transcripts, edit material to post on website; Initiated regular expansion mailing list database; strategize/ stimulate engaging, fresh, relevant and informative website content; monthly hits/visits rose in four months 75,000 to 560,000; diversified scope of information posted online / writing minimum five features per month; compile reports on projects/activities / co-ordinate editorial budget allocation for stringers/contributors besides reaching out to visual artists and uploading their online profiles/database...# Panelist at the International Network for Cultural Diversity (INCD) & UNESCO Convention / forum on the Protection and Promotion of Diversity of Cultural Expressions.. made a presentation at con-current Visual Arts & African Music Development and Growth Conference in Dakar, Senegal. November, 2005. # Invited to submit a comprehensive, incisive presentation on emergent use of the internet to connect the public across African continent to the visual arts whose findings contributed to contents of the larger UNESCO 2005 Convention's Dakar Declaration unveiled during the close of the International Network for Cultural Diversity (INCD) Forum held in Senegal.