Swing lives on: Father-son duo brings 1930s jazz to Nairobi

The Nairobi jazz scene has evolved significantly, with young Kenyans and couples attending jazz nights, a far cry from the older men nursing whisky in a corner. This shift is what David Hermlin and his father, Andrej, are walking into with their upcoming concert. Andrej notes that Nairobi's jazz scene has grown enough that they take this seriously. Jazz clubs in Nairobi have built loyal followings, with one jazz festival pulling in 14,000 attendees.

The Swing Dance Orchestra, set to perform in Nairobi in March 2027, will recreate the sound of the 1930s. Andrej believes the music and the country are a fit, citing Kenyans' love for entertainment, dancing, and fun. Swing, a jazz style, grew out of African-American musicians like Count Basie, Duke Ellington, and Billie Holiday, and carries African roots. Andrej notes that jazz owes Africa a lot, actually, its roots.

Kenya is not a new stop for the Hermlin family, with Andrej having traveled there for over 25 years since meeting his wife in 2001. He recalls the village in Kirinyaga with no electricity or water and fell in love with the place almost immediately. Andrej now considers Kenya home and says being given the chance to perform there is a dream come true.

The pandemic tested the band differently, with Andrej's wife coming up with a daily broadcast on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube. The promise was a 30-minute show every night, for as long as it took, which took 800 nights and was viewed in Kenya, Uganda, Israel, Russia, and Ukraine. This experience carried the orchestra into its next chapter, with Andrej formally handing it to his son, David, in January 2026.

David, who was born into swing, got his first gig with his father's band at four and has not stopped playing since. He believes that to play this music authentically, one has to understand the spirit, read the books, watch the documentaries, and look at how they dressed. David's younger sister, Rachel, is the band's vocalist, and he thinks she delivers the music the way it was meant to be sung.

David posts videos of himself in a full 1930s tuxedo behind his vintage drum kit, with some clips pulling six million views. He thinks that young people see a young person not pretending to be someone from back then, just enjoying the music, and can identify with it. The Hermlins' concert is expected to bring this timeless music to a new audience in Nairobi.

For David, the reason he keeps playing is simple: it makes people happy, and it makes him happy. Nearly a century later, swing continues to find new audiences, and the Hermlins are set to bring this music to Nairobi. The concert is a testament to the enduring power of swing and its ability to bridge generations and cultures.

Key points

• The Swing Dance Orchestra's concert in Nairobi is set to bring 1930s jazz to a new audience in March 2027.
• The Hermlin family's experience with the pandemic has influenced their approach to music, with a focus on community engagement.
• David Hermlin's authenticity and passion for swing have helped him connect with a young audience.