Samite (pronounced Sahm-ē-tay) was born and raised in Uganda, where his grandfather taught him to play the traditional flute. When he was twelve, a music teacher placed a western flute in his hands, setting him on his way to becoming one of East Africa’s most acclaimed flutists. He performed frequently to enthusiastic audiences throughout Uganda until 1982, when he was forced to flee to Kenya as a political refugee.

Immigrating to the United States in 1987, Samite and his wife Sandra now make their home in Ithaca, New York. His smooth vocals accompanied by the kalimba, marimba, litungu, and various flutes mesmerize audiences worldwide.

In 2002, Samite founded Musicians for World Harmony, an organization dedicated to enabling musicians throughout the world to share their music to promote peace, understanding, and harmony among peoples. He travels to sing, play music, and exchange stories with victims of war, poverty, and HIV. He has traveled extensively to war-torn countries in Africa to work in refugee camps, with former child soldiers, and AIDS orphans.

This performance is co-sponsored by the Kalamazoo Public Library. Samite will also be conducting an outreach event at the Kalamazoo County Juvenile Home on November 5.

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Running October 18 - December 1, 2019, the Connecting Chords Music Festival events center around the common convictions and threads that draw our community together – the importance of cultural traditions, human dignity, and the increased understanding of various faith traditions.

Learn more about the Michigan Festival of Sacred Music at www.mfsm.us.