Blues to Green

Blues to Green will present Zikina at the free Springfield Jazz & Roots Festival in downtown Springfield, Massachusetts, for a performance and interactive community workshop. Led by Uganda-born musician and instrument builder Gideon Ampeire, Zikina blends traditional East African instruments, songs, and storytelling from the Great Lakes region with jazz, rock, and other global influences. In addition to the performance, the workshop will explore how traditional instruments are built and played, their role in storytelling traditions, and the ensemble's collaborative creative process, offering audiences a deeper understanding of East African music and cross-cultural connection.