Lakeside sound on the national stage

If Luo music had an HQ, then certainly it would be Kisumu.

The town has over the years churned out rhumba, benga, ohangla and Afro-fusion musicians who have claimed their place on the country’s music stage.

Suzanna Owiyo of Kisumu 100 fame tops the list of musicians who honed their skills by the lake.

Owiyo was born in Kasaye village, Nyakach, and in 1998 joined Nairobi singer Sally Oyugi as a back-up vocalist.

Two years later a local band called Bora Bora Sound snapped her up and she later moved back to Kisumu where she launched her solo career.

Her music is a fusion of traditional Western Kenyan music and contemporary rhythms.

According to Tom Kodiyo of Ochestre Dumbe Dumbe, music is an integral part of leisure in Kisumu and it is the revellers there who attract the singers.

“Most of the musicians were born outside Kisumu County but the magnate of money and an audience pulled them into the town where they make an impact before moving to other cities,” he explained.

George Ramogi empowered the traditional Luo benga and rhumba genres. He was known for his love of the good life and his appearances at bars and clubs in Nyanza was the main force behind benga.

In 1965 Ramogi and his colleagues started the Luo Sweet Band, later changed to Continental Kilo Jazz Band (or C.K. Jazz).

Together with Paul Orwa, Jim Likembe and George Kembo, all of whom later launched solo careers, Ramogi recorded songs such as My best wishes to Conny, Born Smart and Affline the pretty. He died in 1997.

The 1970s saw Collela Mazee (real name Richard Owino)  and Ochieng’ Nelly take Luo music to a different level. Mazee died in 2000 while “Dr Nelly”, Ochieng’ died the following year.

Daniel Owino Misiani was known for criticising social and political ills through his songs. Together with his Shirati Jazz Band he sang mostly in Dholuo and Kiswahili languages. During his long career he released numerous recordings. 

In 2003 he was arrested following the release of Bim en Bim (A Baboon will always be a Baboon)’, a song that was perceived to be anti-government by criticising the political leadership for turning against the people who took them to power.

In the 90’s President Moi had him deported for fueling political discontent in the country after he warned in one of his songs that he was “foreseeing a time when leaders will be called upon to explain their actions against the people” and that there would be nowhere for them to hide. He died in a road accident on the Kisumu-Kakamega highway.

Ochieng Kabaselle was a gigantic figure who wowed dance halls with his guitar playing and singing. He offered a blend of Luo and Congolese music.

His main band was Luna Kidi but together with his brothers — Joseph Onyango Kadori, Philemon Omondi Kadori and Barack Essau Odindo Kadori —formed Bana Kadori (Children of Dori) band in 1979 primarily to make records.

Kabaselle died in 1998 but his legacy lives through his sons Reggie and Babu Kabaselle.