“Sal Davis” was born Salim Abdullah Salim, in Kibokoni, Mombasa. He chose to take on the moniker as part of his being involved in the exclusive, highly-creative genre of cabaret. In those days, everything about being a performer was intentional, sincere and artistic. “For me music is love and life. Without it, I wouldn’t be who I am today,” he says.

At 19, Sal made the choice to go out into the world and make a name for himself, while sharing a dorm room with his cousin, Professor Ali Mazrui of Manchester University. “Going to England, experiencing another world from my hometown, Mombasa, opened up avenues for me and exposed me to new sounds, cultures people and music,” Sal explains.

But it wasn’t all peachy, confesses the internationally-acclaimed performer. “Being a black man in the U.K. was a tough job. I had to not only sing, but play percussion, make jokes and work the crowd to keep my place in the competitive scene.” His voice carries the eclectic and charming influence of coastal sounds like Taraab and Chakacha, which he grew up listening to, except with a twist of jazz. His English rendition of the song “Malaika” is just as charming and earnest as the original Swahili version. “I like to be cheerful and entertaining. I like to capture an audience,” Sal elaborates.

The renowned musician, composer and producer has shared the stage with the likes of Miriam Makeba and Harry Belafonte. With three CDs and several EPs, Sal says “Makini” is the song that he wrote that best represents him. His cover of “Unchain My Heart” by Ray Charles was also a huge hit in Kenya and an ode to the crooner as a source of inspiration to Sal.

Some of his most popular hits include “Kenyatta’s Song” and “Uhuru of Kenya”. Sal played both during Kenya’s independence celebrations in 1963 at the invitation of Kenya’s first president, Mzee Jomo Kenyatta. Though retired at the age of 69, Sal is set to perform in Nairobi at the end of May with his daughter, Maia von Lekow. “I look forward to playing for people who remember me,” he says dreamily, “as well as [for] a younger generation of Kenyans, to show them how we used to do it. How we used to play real funk and soul.”

For more information on the event, visit www.maiavonlekow.com.