Matata was a prominent African rock and funk band that was formed in Nairobi during the 1960s. They released a number of singles and recorded two albums during the early to mid-1970s.
Steeleson Beauttah Nashon Gandani Sammy Kagenda Jacques Kalunga Isaac Kisombe Toby Kombo John Nzenze Patrice Oluma John Otieno Anwar Richard Gabby Wamala
Matata was formed by Kenyan Musician John Nzenze. They started out as Air Fiesta Matata. Influenced by Stevie Wonder, The Beatles and South African kwela, they gained popularity with Kenya's younger generation.[1] Along with the Ashantis and the Cavaliers, Air Fiesta Matata was one of the resident bands at Robbie Armstrong's Starlight club in Nairobi.[2] This is where the group became recognized.[3] They were later regarded as an Afro Funk band[4]
Some of the group's members were refugees from Congo.[5] The group's membership included Steel Beauttah on vocals and Gabriel Wamala on drums.[1] One of Matata's members was exiled South African saxophonist Dudu Pukwana.[4]
The group won the Best Band in Africa Award in a competition organized by the BBC World Service in London.[1] Finding international fame, the group also played to venues in the UK, US, France Germany, Norway and Switzerland.[5][1]
Careeredit
1960sedit
In 1968, they appeared at the All-African Music Festival in Algeria. There they were ranked as the third best band in Africa. In 1969 they stayed in Ethiopia for several months to perform for Emperor Haile Selassie.[5]
1970sedit
Having won the BBC sponsored competition to find Africa's best band, the ensemble was invited to come to the UK and perform for the BBC. They also played some venues in London and ended up being managed by Pearl Connor. She got them work in the UK and Europe as well as a job as the opening act for Miles Davis. When they got back to London they signed up for a two-album deal with President Records.[6]
In 1972 their debut album Matata - Air Fiesta was released on President Records.[7]
In 1973 there were some issues that would have an impact on the band. with work permits running out they had to return to Kenya. Some members left due to not wanting to divide their time between Nairobi and the UK.[6] At some stage, possibly 1974, former Foundations and future Sunburst member, Eric Allandale went with the group to Zambia. There they played for the Independence celebrations.[8][9]
Later yearsedit
Founding member John Nzenze died on 30 May 2020 at age 80.[1]
Nation, Saturday, June 6, 2020 - John Nzenze: A tribute to the last king of African twist By BILLIE ODIDI
Referencesedit
^ abcdeMusic in Africa, 1 Jun 2020 - News, Kenya: John Nzenze's death ends African twist era By Lucy Ilado
^On My Father's Wings An Entrepreneurial Journey of Finding Humility, Resiliency, and a Lasting Legacy, By Michael Shirima · 2022 - ISBN 9781632995964, 1632995964 - Chapter 9 JOY, TRAGEDY, AND JOY
matata, band, matata, prominent, african, rock, funk, band, that, formed, nairobi, during, 1960s, they, released, number, singles, recorded, albums, during, early, 1970s, matataalso, known, asair, fiesta, matatagenresafro, funkyears, activemid, 1960s, 1974labe. Matata was a prominent African rock and funk band that was formed in Nairobi during the 1960s They released a number of singles and recorded two albums during the early to mid 1970s MatataAlso known asAir Fiesta MatataGenresAfro funkYears activeMid 1960s 1974LabelsPresident Records Crystal Stateside Records Chairman RPM RecordsPast membersSteeleson Beauttah Nashon Gandani Sammy Kagenda Jacques Kalunga Isaac Kisombe Toby Kombo John Nzenze Patrice Oluma John Otieno Anwar Richard Gabby Wamala Contents 1 Background 2 Career 2 1 1960s 2 2 1970s 3 Later years 4 Line ups 4 1 1971 line up 5 Discography 6 Further reading 7 References 8 External linksBackground editMatata was formed by Kenyan Musician John Nzenze They started out as Air Fiesta Matata Influenced by Stevie Wonder The Beatles and South African kwela they gained popularity with Kenya s younger generation 1 Along with the Ashantis and the Cavaliers Air Fiesta Matata was one of the resident bands at Robbie Armstrong s Starlight club in Nairobi 2 This is where the group became recognized 3 They were later regarded as an Afro Funk band 4 Some of the group s members were refugees from Congo 5 The group s membership included Steel Beauttah on vocals and Gabriel Wamala on drums 1 One of Matata s members was exiled South African saxophonist Dudu Pukwana 4 The group won the Best Band in Africa Award in a competition organized by the BBC World Service in London 1 Finding international fame the group also played to venues in the UK US France Germany Norway and Switzerland 5 1 Career edit1960s edit In 1968 they appeared at the All African Music Festival in Algeria There they were ranked as the third best band in Africa In 1969 they stayed in Ethiopia for several months to perform for Emperor Haile Selassie 5 1970s edit Having won the BBC sponsored competition to find Africa s best band the ensemble was invited to come to the UK and perform for the BBC They also played some venues in London and ended up being managed by Pearl Connor She got them work in the UK and Europe as well as a job as the opening act for Miles Davis When they got back to London they signed up for a two album deal with President Records 6 In 1972 their debut album Matata Air Fiesta was released on President Records 7 In 1973 there were some issues that would have an impact on the band with work permits running out they had to return to Kenya Some members left due to not wanting to divide their time between Nairobi and the UK 6 At some stage possibly 1974 former Foundations and future Sunburst member Eric Allandale went with the group to Zambia There they played for the Independence celebrations 8 9 Later years editFounding member John Nzenze died on 30 May 2020 at age 80 1 Line ups edit1971 line up edit Steeleson Beauttah vocals bongos Jacques Kalunga vocals drums congas Isaac Kisombe lead guitar Toby Kombo lead guitar John Otieno rhythm guitar Nashon Gandani tenor sax Patrice Oluma vocals bongo Sammy Kagenda bass Gabby Wamala drums Anwar Richard keyboard vocals 10 Discography editAlbum Act Release Catalogue Year Notes Matata Air Fiesta President PTLS 1052 1972 Matata Independence President PTLS 1057 1974 11 Further reading editPresident Records Matata Nation Saturday June 6 2020 John Nzenze A tribute to the last king of African twist By BILLIE ODIDIReferences edit a b c d e Music in Africa 1 Jun 2020 News Kenya John Nzenze s death ends African twist era By Lucy Ilado On My Father s Wings An Entrepreneurial Journey of Finding Humility Resiliency and a Lasting Legacy By Michael Shirima 2022 ISBN 9781632995964 1632995964 Chapter 9 JOY TRAGEDY AND JOY The Weekly Review 1985 Page 21 a b Opposing Apartheid on Stage By Tyler Fleming 2020 ISBN 9781580469852 158046985X Page 384 Notes to p 244 118 a b c BBC News 13 June 2020 John Nzenze The founder of Africa s best band By Basillioh Mutahi BBC News Nairobi a b We Are Cut 7 March 2017 Matata Wanna Do My Thing The Complete President Recordings reviewed Peter Robinson Music Republic Magazine February 2017 Matata Wanna Do My Thing RPM Records Cherry Red Out Now Record Collector Issue 456 15 July 2016 ALBUM REVIEWS Ave Africa Sunburst Reviewed by Kris Needs The Guardian Fri 21 Sep 2001 Eric Allandale Powerful trombone master of jazz and pop by Val Wilmer President Records MATATA Discogs Matata Releases gt AlbumsExternal links edit Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Matata band amp oldid 1209867998, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
