Voice of Maasai

13/03/2026

Behind the Book: Why I Wrote It

People sometimes ask why I wrote Fair Street.

The honest answer is that the story took a long time to understand while I was living it.

What began as creative work gradually became a deeper exploration of collaboration, patience, and what it takes to build something across cultures without a clear roadmap.

Writing the book became a way to step back and reflect on that journey — and on the people who shaped it along the way.

Now that the book is out in the world, I’m grateful for the readers beginning to discover the story.

Fair Street is available online and currently on the shelves at BookPeople in Austin. https://www.jesseyjansen.com/memoir

10/03/2026

A short passage from Fair Street.

One of the moments when the Voice of Maasai project revealed what it was becoming.

Some stories take years to understand while you’re living them.

08/03/2026

On International Women’s Day I’m thinking about the many women who shaped the story behind Fair Street.

From mentors and family members and -— my trusted book designer— all who encouraged creative risk, to artists and collaborators in Tanzania whose voices continue to shape the work of Voice of Maasai.

Creative projects rarely belong to one person. They grow through trust, patience, and the people willing to stay in the work together.

Pictured here with Pendo — one of the artists whose spirit and voice remind me why this work matters.

Happy International Women’s Day to women building something of their own!

07/03/2026

A small moment that meant a lot. A reader sent this photo after spotting Fair Street at BookPeople in Austin this week. Seeing the book out in the world is a surreal feeling.

Thank you to everyone who has supported this project and helped it find its way onto shelves.

If you’re in Austin, the book is currently available at

06/03/2026

Today something special goes out into the world.

Our founder Jessey Jansen has released her memoir Fair Street, a book that traces the long journey behind the creation of Voice of Maasai.

What began as a small idea grew through years of collaboration with artists, producers, and communities across northern Tanzania. The book reflects on the music, the partnerships, the cultural learning, and the persistence required to build something slowly and respectfully.

Many of the artists and moments that shaped Voice of Maasai are part of this story.

If you’ve followed the music and supported the artists over the years, this book offers a deeper look at the road behind it.

Learn more or order here:
https://www.jesseyjansen.com/memoir

Thank you for being part of this creative community.

Essays, art, and long-term creative practice.

15/01/2026

Creative work doesn’t always arrive as a finished product. Often, it accumulates through long-term collaboration, return, and shared responsibility.

At Voice of Maasai, that practice has shaped our music for years. It has also shaped a body of writing now live on our founders site— essays, alongside poems and visual work—shared as part of the same creative ecosystem.

A place to linger, where music and writing come from the same practice.
→ Stay awhile →

Essays, art, and long-term creative practice.

03/12/2025

As we close out 2025 with our year-end recap, I’m filled with gratitude for the journey we’ve shared.

Voice of Maasai 2025 End of Year Newsletter

28/10/2025

Get ready for an exciting journey! After more than a decade of building Voice of Maasai, I'm thrilled to announce my memoir that reveals the creative forces behind this initiative. It's a story of collaboration and integrity. Discover more: https://www.voiceofmaasai.com/

24/07/2025

Drifting back to our 2023 safari with Alex and Judy—like a dream tucked deep in the savanna’s memory❤️ Feels like lifetimes ago.