Kenyan blows his own trumpet to top of the world

Kenyan trumpeter MacKinlay Mutsembi broke the Guinness World Record after completing a 24-hour trumpet-playing marathon on Saturday

The playing began on Friday, January 31, at Geco Café in Nairobi and concluded on Saturday, 1 February, at 10pm.

Musembi’s love for music, endurance, and exceptional talent left many applauding his electrifying performance. The Guinness World Record was for the longest continuous trumpet performance in the world, a title he now proudly claims.

This achievement was no easy feat. The musician trained for six months to build the physical stamina and mental resilience required to survive blowing of the wind instrument in a jazz music performance for a full day.

Musembi spoke to The Standard before the event.

“I am literally trying to gauge where my madness will get me. For the past six months, we’ve assembled a dedicated team that has embraced my vision, and we are doing this thing,” MacKinlay said. His unwavering commitment bore fruit when he successfully completed the marathon and secured the coveted award.

What made his record even more remarkable was the high spirits maintained by his audience throughout the 24 hours. MacKinlay was accompanied by a roster of talented musicians and bands, transforming Geco Café into a vibrant hub of jazz, Afro-fusion, and infectious energy. While he played, the other musicians created a tapestry of excitement, blending genres such as jazz, Afro-jazz, R&B, pop, soul, jazz fusion, and ballads in a celebration of Kenyan music. His performance was a testament to his musical mastery and determination.

MacKinlay said the achievement was an opportunity to inspire artists and audiences worldwide with the message: “No human is limited,” a mantra popularised by Kenyan marathon legend Eliud Kipchoge.

“Through this attempt, I hope to push the limits of what’s possible and demonstrate the transformative power of human potential,” he told The Standard.

Breaking the record had long been a personal goal, and his perseverance paid off with resounding success.

MacKinlay is the founder and director of Afrolect Jazz, Afrolect Academy, and the Nairobi Horns Project. As a mentor and role model, he has inspired young Kenyan artists to pursue their dreams despite societal stereotypes about music as a career.

Born and raised in Mombasa, MacKinlay later moved to Nairobi, where his music career flourished. He began playing the trumpet at the age of 12 and holds an MBA from the University of Nairobi.

MacKinlay detailed the rigorous process of breaking a Guinness World Record. “There’s a stringent application process where your documentation must be flawless. The attempt must adhere to strict guidelines, with specific rules and regulations crucial for validation. The process is long and exhausting, often taking weeks or even months for feedback. I was lucky mine went through in a couple of days.” He also revealed that he had to pay over Sh100,000 to receive feedback from Guinness officials.

During his grueling performance, MacKinlay consumed only water to preserve his energy. “With a full stomach, one gets tired easily when blowing the trumpet. I wanted to maintain a vast and continuous airflow to sustain the music,” he explained. However, he credited adequate sleep as his primary preparation strategy. “It’s not just about the physical aspect but also mental preparation. I’ve been working out for months, eating well, and getting enough rest. After this interview, I’m going to take a power nap,” he added.

Geco Café, renowned for its live band performances and often referred to as the ‘Mecca’ of live music in Nairobi, was the venue for MacKinlay’s historic feat.

“This place offers a professional platform for musicians to showcase their talents, creating an intimate and engaging atmosphere for both performers and the audience,” he said.