Tom Close
Tom Close | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Thomas Muyombo |
| Born | October 28, 1984 Uganda |
| Genres | R&B, Afrobeat, dancehall |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, physician |
| Instrument | Vocals |
| Years active | 2005–present |
| Labels | Tom Close EA, Kina Music |
| Website | instagram |
Thomas Muyombo (born 28 October 1984), also known as Tom Close, is a Ugandan-born, Rwandan-based comic book author, musician, and physician. A ChimpReports reviewer in 2013 described him as "the king of Afrobeat and dancehall" in Rwanda.[1]
Early life and education
Muyombo, the second of three children,[1] was born on 28 October 1984 to Edward Karangwa and Faith Grace Dukuze[2] in the Masindi District of Uganda. After beginning his primary education in Uganda, Muyombo relocated to Rwanda, where he completed his secondary education at Kiziguro secondary school and the French Lycée de Kigali. In fourth grade, he began singing in church choirs.
He completed a university degree in Human Medicine at the National University of Rwanda in 2013.[3]
Career
Musical career
As a musician, Muyombo goes by the name Tom Close.[4]
In 2005, Muyombo formed his first group with four friends under the name Afro-Saints, recording five songs between 2006 and 2007 but without gaining popular success. His first single as a solo artist, "Mbwira", was recorded in November 2007 and was followed by the release of his debut album, Kuki, in May 2008. He recorded seven more albums between 2008 and 2023, titled Subeza, Ntubanyurwa, Komeza Utsinde, Ndakubona, Isi, Igikomere" and Essense released in 2023.[2]
He has collaborated with numerous Rwandan and international artists, including Professor Jay, Radio and Weasel, General Ozzey, Knowless, and Sean Kingston. He has toured widely in Rwanda and the countries of the East African Community, and performed on stage with international artists like Sahaggy, Sean Kingston and many more.[1] He performed at a concert celebrating the tenth anniversary of regional telecommunications company MTN alongside international artist Shaggy.[2]
Muyombo won the first annual Primus Guma Guma Super Star famous artists competition that toured around Rwanda for two months and the final was held at Amahoro Stadium in 2011.[5] In 2008, he won Best Artist at an award competition hosted by the National University of Rwanda. He also won Artist of the Year at the Salax Awards in 2009, 2010 and 2011.[1]
Medical career
After graduation, Muyombo joined Kacyiru hospital in 2014 as a general physician.[5] In 2015, he joined the Rwanda Blood Transfusion Service in 2015[5] where he served as the Head of Blood Donor Mobilization, Recruitment and Retention. in 2019, he was appointed as the Director of Regional Centre for Blood Transfusion for Kigali in .[3][4] and later got appointed as the Division manager of the Rwanda Blood Transfusion Service under Rwanda Biomedical Center in February 2020.
Selected publications
- Matwi (Children reading book series, Ten volumes)[2]
- Ganza (Children reading book series, Five volumes)[2]
- Nyiramatama (Children reading book series, two volumes)[2]
- Igiti gitangaje (Children reading book)[2]
- Nkunda Kugenda (Children reading book)[2]
- Mbata mu Ishyamba rya Nyarushishi (Children reading book)[2]
- Ana, Umukobwa w'intangarugero (Children reading book)[2]
- Agakwavu Teta (Children reading book)[2]
- Akanyoni Keza (Children reading book)[2]
- Sano n'intama ye (Children reading book)[2]
- Ruti na Mugiraneza (Children reading book)[2]
- Gasaro n'abajura (Children reading book)[2]
- Gapapayi n'inkoko ye (Children reading book)[2]
- Fiyo na Fara (Children reading book)[2]
- Natojwe Ikinyabupfura (Children reading book)[2]
- Udukende Dutatu tw'inkubaganyi (Children reading book)[2]
- Imyuga Nzakora (Children reading book)[2]
- Inka n'ingurube (Children reading book)[2]
- Gikeri mu mugi (Children reading book)[2]
- Ruhaya, Ihene y'iwacu (Children reading book)[2]
- Toto Umwana w'inkubaganyu (Children reading book)[2]
- Mika n'igitabo Kiguruka (Children reading book)[2]
- Mika n'Igitabo Cy'amateka (Children reading book)[2]
- Babiri Baruta Umwe (Children reading book)[2]
- Inzovu mu mugi (Children reading book)[2]
- Isinde rya Gashumba (Children reading book)[2]
- Abavomyi bo ku mugezi wa Kanyonyombya (Children reading book)[2]
- Kariza na Kaneza hafi y'Ikiyaga (Children reading book)[2]
- Kariza na Kaneza hakurya y'Ishyamba (Children reading book)[2]
- Nkumbuye Papa (Children reading book)[2]
- Abandi bana bari he? (Children reading book)[2]
- Agakoko kabi (Children reading book)[2]
- Gwiza mu Ndege (Children reading book)[2]
- Kobwa mu Isanzure (Children reading book)[2]
- Ineza uyisanga imbere (Children reading book)[2]
- Gasuku yarabafatishije (Children reading book)[2]
- Kadahumeka mu murima (Children reading book)[2]
- Mugisha mu iduka rya se (Children reading book)[2]
- Akaruta akandi Karakamira (Children reading book)[2]
- Umurima wa Manyaga (Children reading book)[2]
- Mwiza n'udufi duto (Children reading book)[2]
- Gasaro n'abajura (Children reading book)[2]
- Ibiba mu Giti (Children reading book)[2]
- Ibiba mu mazi (Children reading book)[2]
- Ibiba mu mwobo (Children reading book)[2]
- Ibiba mu kirere (Children reading book)[2]
- Umuryango mwiza w'ibinyampande 1 (Children reading book)[2]
- Umuryango mwiza w'ibinyampande 2 (Children reading book)[2]
- Supa Umwana wuje Urugwiro (Children reading book)[2]
- Mama Koronavirusi ni iki? (Children reading book)[2]
- Babu ajya gushaka Agasamunyiga (Children reading book)[2]
- Magambo n'igiti cy'inganzamarumbo (Children reading book)[2]
- Tayari, Tinari n'uruyuki (Children reading book)[2]
- Ibintu ni magirirane (Children reading book)[2]
- Ikote ry'akanyamasyo (Children reading book)[2]
- Zaza n'ikinyoni kinini (Children reading book)[2]
- Keza n'ibishuhe (Children reading book)[2]
- Nta Munsi utagira Joro na Manywa (Children reading book)[2]
- Amapfa mu Gihugu cy'Inyoni (Children reading book)[2]
- Agasumbashyamba Keza (Children reading book)[2]
- Akabuto k'igishyimbo (Children reading book)[2]
- Gato n'inka ye (Children reading book)[2]
- Ingurube n'ihene mu mugi (Children reading book)[2]
- Inyamaswa zishimye (Children reading book)[2]
- Igare rya Vubi (Children reading book)[2]
- Umunsi wa Pino (Children reading book)[2]
- Umutaka wa Pino (Children reading book)[2]
- Maguguri (Children reading book)[2]
- Inkoko n'ikirura (Children reading book)[2]
- Uruvu rwarayitahuye (Children reading book)[2]
- Madigi umwana wryaga akataribwa (Children reading book)[2]
- Ririmba Kanyoni Keza (Children reading book)[2]
- Ubwoba bwa Gahungu (Children reading book)[2]
- Umutekamutwe Nyiramagera (Children reading book)[2]
- Intego ya Pepini (Children reading book)[2]
- Inka Yanjye (comic, three volumes)
- Nkunda u Rwanda (comic)
- suka Yanjye (comic)[2]
- Ubwoba bwa Gahungu (Children reading book)[2]
Personal life
Tom Close's parents died between 1995 and 1996.[4] He was married to Niyonshuti Ange Tricia on 30th November 2013 and has 5 children.[4] called Ella born in 2014, Elan born in 2017, Elai and Elana born in 2019 and Elle born in 2021. He resides, with his family, in Rwanda.
References
- ^ a b c d Kwesiga, Brian (28 June 2013). "Interview: Tom Close Promises Fire At Rwanda Nite". Chimp Reports. Rwanda. Retrieved 12 August 2013.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq ar as at au av aw ax ay az ba bb bc bd be bf bg bh bi bj bk bl bm bn bo bp bq br bs bt bu bv bw bx by bz ca cb Muyombo, Thomas (2011). "My Bibliography". Inyarwanda.com. Rwanda. Retrieved 12 August 2013.
- ^ a b "Singer Tom Close named head of Kigali centre for blood transfusion". The New Times | Rwanda. 2019-04-04. Retrieved 2021-01-21.
- ^ a b c d "Singer Tom Close 'Happy for the New Appointment, Ready for Any Challenge'". KT PRESS. 2020-12-15. Retrieved 2022-04-29.
- ^ a b c Ndushabandi, Charles (11 August 2013). "Riderman Wins Rwanda famous artists competition Search". New Times. Rwanda. Retrieved 12 August 2013.