Kenyan trumpeter Mackinlay Mutsembi has officially broken the Guinness World Record for the longest continuous trumpet performance, playing non-stop for 24 hours.
The marathon, which kicked off on Friday, January 31, at Nairobi’s Geco Café, ended successfully on Saturday, February 1, at 10:00 PM, with an ecstatic crowd celebrating his record-breaking feat.
Who is Mackinlay Mutsembi?
Mackinlay Mutsembi is a renowned Kenyan trumpeter, music producer, and band director. Often called “Africa’s Trumpeter,” he is the founder and director of the Nairobi Horns Project, Afrolect Jazz, and Afrolect Academy.
Born in Nairobi and raised in Mombasa, Mutsembi holds a Master’s in Business Administration and is an alumnus of the University of Nairobi. He has been a driving force in Kenya’s jazz and live music scene, blending various musical influences into his performances.
A Record-Breaking Musical Marathon
Mutsembi embarked on this record attempt inspired by Kenyan marathon legend Eliud Kipchoge’s mantra, “No human is limited.” He saw this challenge as a way to push creative boundaries and inspire fellow artists.
The marathon was divided into six musical sets, each featuring a star-studded lineup of musicians and bands. The sets included performances of jazz, afro-jazz, R&B, pop, soul, jazz fusion, original compositions, and Kenyan classics, creating a vibrant and energetic musical experience.
This is not the first time Mutsembi has taken on a long-hour performance. In October 2024, he stunned audiences with a 12-hour non-stop performance at the same venue.
Kenya’s Growing Presence in the Guinness World Records
With this achievement, Mutsembi joins Chef Maliha Mohammed, who broke the Guinness World Record in 2019 after cooking for 75 hours non-stop, surpassing the previous 68-hour record.
Kenya is also witnessing a new wave of record-breaking attempts. 21-year-old Muthoni Truphena is seeking to hug a tree for 48 hours, while George Achoka is aiming to hug 15,000 people in 24 hours on February 13 and 14 outside Nation Centre.
As Kenya continues to make its mark in the Guinness World Records, Mutsembi’s triumph stands as a testament to the limitless potential of Kenyan creatives and performers.
