Laura Kabasomi Kakoma Quotes (1981-)

“In many ways, Illinois is just as much my home as Africa because I spent the majority of my formative years there.”

“I don’t have a particular favourite musician.  There are so many that have inspired, taught, guided, and grounded me.”

“One of the greatest blessings of my journey as a professional artiste has been the unconditional love and support of family.”

“Today I was nominated for my very first Grammy Award in the Best Jazz Vocal Album category. I am so overwhelmed with gratitude (and can’t stop crying!)”

“Of course I had to answer a lot of questions when I announced I wanted to be a professional singer, changed my graduate school focus, and initially struggled as a waitress to pay my bills.  ”

“There is something about performance that both humbles and strengthens you simultaneously.  It is where I am happiest and most liberated. My first performance was terrifying but totally thrilling.  ”

“I will, however, say that one of the main lessons I’ve learned from such artistes who inspire me is this: Know yourself, listen to your heart, and take risks.  Individuality is the best thing anyone has to offer.”

“My mother has a beautiful singing voice that she shares generously around the house and in church!  (I always consider her my first voice teacher.)  And my brother Itonde has a lovely voice and plays a bit of piano and violin.  ”

“If you become stressed out on stage, your audience becomes stressed with you.  It’s important for us to remember that our energy as performers dictates the energy of the room. That said, we can’t take ourselves so seriously.  ”

“I also enjoy vegetarian cooking, writing/reading prose, and spending time with family and friends.  Honestly, like anyone who works for themselves, it gets difficult to find balance - especially with my international travel schedule.”

“I completed my undergraduate degree in Cultural Anthropology and African Studies also at the University of Illinois.  After college, I spent a year and a half doing research in Kenya and Tanzania with plans of becoming a Medical Anthropologist.”

“I was born in Champaign, Illinois.  My father, the late Dr. Ibalaimu Kakoma was completing a post doctoral fellowship at the University of Illinois.  He was a Rwandan although he grew up in Uganda. My mother, Elizabeth Nyarubona Kakoma, is a Ugandan.”

“I’ve loved music for as long as I can remember, but didn’t consider making it a career choice until my early twenties.  I studied the cello from the time I was eight years old through college and I write my songs on the piano.  My primary instrument is my voice.”

“And since there were no professional artistes in my immediate or extended family, I didn’t know what the path would be. That said, I’m thankful for New York City and the courageous community of dreamers who have helped me understand that my dreams can be lived out loud.”

“I am the sixth of seven children.  We moved to Zambia when I was three years old and when my father began working for World Health Organisation, we returned to Champaign where he worked as a professor of Veterinary Medicine and Immunology and my mother worked as an oncology nurse.”

“What we have to realise is that those questions and occasional resistance to our heart’s pursuits are usually coming from a place of love.  Once I realised that, it gave me more room to cultivate and channel positive energy towards accomplishing my goals as a professional musician.”

“My childhood dream was definitely to be a singer, but as a little girl I thought it was just that, a dream. In the African culture, as you know, it’s very rare to encourage a child to become an artiste.  Since I was always involved in the arts, I simply looked at it as a way to be better rounded.”

“Thank you to my family and all who have supported, cheered, inspired, and loved me through my journey. Thank you to the Recording Academy for this honor ….and to the glorious Frankfurt Radio Big Band for making this project a reality. I am so, so, so grateful! Indeed, the journey is a Holy Room (oh, and I cut off my locs!).”