rhumba and reggae, to traditional Rwandan 5/8, Afrobeat, pygmy, and gospel. He combines unique musical traditions from all regions of Rwanda, among them, Intwatwa, Umushayayo, Imparamba, and Ikinimba. His dance technique and style demonstrates why UNESCO officially declared Rwandan national dance one of the world's Unique Cultural Heritages. With his dance troupe Ingeli, he captivates audiences of all ages. He has performed for the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, at the National Museum of Civil Rights Freedom Awards, and at many colleges, universities, festivals, churches, and communities around the world. In the 1980s, Samputu was a member of popular Rwandan band Nyampinga, who produced three albums. In 1985 he produced his first solo LP, Tegeka Isi. Throughout the late 1986 he was a band leader of Orchestra INGELI. Samputu toured Europe in 1993, and released his Twararutashye LP. During the Rwandan genocide in 1994, he lost his parents and three siblings. In 1998 he moved to Canada, and in 2004 moved to the United States. Currently, he now resides in Brighton's area in United Kingdom. Samputu performs songs in six languages; Kinyarwanda, Swahili, Lingala, Luganda, French, and English, and in various musical styles such as soukous, rumba, reggae, afrobeat and gospel. Jean Paul Samputu was signed to Mi5 Recordings and distributed by EMI. He worked with Producer and former Modern English member Ted Mason as well as Sandra Bernhard's new Afropop/rock project. Collaborating on the project are Chrissie Hynde, Papa Wemba, Lagbaja, et al. Samputu joined Sandra Bernhard and guest artists for a tour in 2008. Jean Paul has been managed by Keith Douglas and Andrea Wilson at RKD Music Management and Corinne Hugenin at GenialAgi (2017-2020). Early life Jean Paul Samputu was born on 15 March 1962 in Butare, Rwanda. Awards and honours Kora Award for Most Promising African Male Artist, 2003 2006 International Songwriting Competition: 1st-place winner for World Music for "Psalm 150" Inter Religious and International Federation for World Peace: Ambassador of Peace, 2007 Discography Albums Singles Suzuki (1983 with Nyampinga Band) Nyaruguru Ingendo Y'Abeza (1984 with Nyampinga Band) Mr. Bigirumwami (1986 with Ingeli Band) Rwanda Rwiza (1987) Twararutashye (1993 with Ingeli Band) Kenyera Inkindi Y'Ubuzima (1995) Mutima W'Urugo (1996) Ubaha Ikiremwa Muntu (1997) Ubuphura Buba Munda (1997) Igihe Kirageze (1999) Disi Garuka (2000) References External links http://www.samputumusic.com http://www.samputufc.org http://www.mizero.org Voices from Rwanda (2006) Frank Bessem's Musiques d'Afrique: 1st PLACE WINNER for WORLD MUSIC in the INTERNATIONAL