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Post by Admin on Nov 28, 2011 20:33:44 GMT -5
Welcome to the Benga Music Discussion Group This is the place for music lovers worldwide to discuss all things musical to a community forum of passionate people. It is our hope that this forum will provide the premier Benga music discussion experience online! The administrators of the Bengamusic forum would like to welcome you with open arms as we begin a journey which we hope will propel us to the best of the web in terms of recognizing one of the richest forms of African music. For those who are new to Benga, Benga is a genre of Kenyan popular music. It evolved between the late 1940s and late 1960s, in Kenya's capital city of Nairobi. In the 1940s, the African Broadcasting Service in Nairobi aired a steady stream of soukous, South African kwela, Zairean finger-style guitar and various kinds of Cuban dance music. There were also popular folk songs of Kenya's Luo and Kikuyu peoples. The Luo of Kenya have long played an eight-string lyre called nyatiti, and guitarists from the area sought to imitate the instrument's syncopated melodies. In benga, the electric bass guitar is played in a style reminiscent of the nyatiti. As late as the turn of the twentieth century, this bass in nyatiti supported the rhythm essential in transmitting knowledge about the society through music. Opondo Owenga of Gem Yala, the grandfather of Odhiambo Siangla, was known in employing music as a means of teaching history of the Luo. In 1967, the first major benga band, Shirati Jazz, was formed by Daniel Owino Misiani. The group launched a string of hits that were East Africa's biggest songs throughout the 1970s and 1980s. Shirati Jazz's biggest rival was Victoria Jazz, formed in 1972 by Ochieng Nelly Mengo and Collela Mazee. Despite many personnel changes, Victoria Jazz remained popular throughout the 1970s, when the Voice of Kenya radio station pushed an onslaught of East African pop. Victoria C Band of Awino Lawi was one of the splinter group of Victoria Jazz. 1997 saw the death of three prominent Luo Benga artist, Okatch Biggy of Heka Heka Band, George Ramogi and Prince Jully. The Jolly Boys Band of Prince Jully was taken over by his wife Princess Jully and she has since been a leading female Benga musician. Another famous benga band Migori Super Stars was formed in the mid 70s and was led by Musa Olwete which later split to form another popular benga band Migori Super Stars C with musicians such as Joseph Ochola (Kasongo Polo Menyo), Onyango Jamba, Ochieng' Denge denge and others. More modern Benga artists include Kapere Jazz Band and the rootsy Ogwang Lelo Okoth. Benga artists are based in many other countries besides Kenya, and we continue to explore this fantastic genre, we will strive to report and or discuss from all corners of the globe. We also want to acknowledge that even though Benga originated with the Luo of Kenya, many other Kenyan tribes have adopted the style of play and as such Benga is quickly straddling different cultures. It is our hope that the discussions here will introduce us to Benga influences which are yet to be discovered. (Source Wikipedia) We are glad that you are here and it is our sincere hope that you will be a member and a frequent visitor to this free forum. We welcome you to interact with music lovers locally or around the world. As we continue to build a steady clientele, we will bend over backwards to ensure that our members provide you with a rich experience. We welcome you to participate in building up a wealth of beginner’s guides to famous bands/artists. We urge you to participate heartily and take part in our periodic album polls and reviews. We also urge you to create or join groups showcasing upcoming or famous bands/artists. We hope that we will expand your musical knowledge with our large selection of musical recommendations. Similarly, this is the place to make recommendations. Again, welcome aboard. |
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Post by bengaking on Nov 28, 2011 20:41:25 GMT -5
Thank God for this forum. I have looked all over the net for a place like this but i was yet to find one. I will park my car here ! Thank you again. As an introduction to my kind of benga, i offer you this classic by my God of benga Musa Juma
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Post by wuodsongo on Nov 28, 2011 20:50:47 GMT -5
Haya ! wasedonjo e pap...benga maliet ha....Ok guys this is really neat, i too plan to spend a lot of time here. Benga is the genre of out times and folks like Musa Juma exemplified the very best..
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doc
New Member
Posts: 4
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Post by doc on Nov 29, 2011 9:22:15 GMT -5
Erokamano Omosh for the effort. Let the games begin....
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Post by djdaudi on Nov 29, 2011 22:26:11 GMT -5
My brother! Thanks for this. I am excited to join in.
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alli
New Member
Posts: 1
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Post by alli on Dec 1, 2011 9:48:36 GMT -5
Much luck & success on this new forum  |
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Post by Admin on Dec 3, 2011 12:06:33 GMT -5
Much luck & success on this new forum Thank you ! I am looking forward to your tapping rich knowledge of African music !!!!Glad to see you on board ! |
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Post by bwanac on Dec 3, 2011 13:07:57 GMT -5
Why did it take me this long to register? This is where one needs to be if Benga runs in your system. Omosh, good deal!!! Thanks for the invite...
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Post by Admin on Dec 3, 2011 13:28:44 GMT -5
Why did it take me this long to register? This is where one needs to be if Benga runs in your system. Omosh, good deal!!! Thanks for the invite... Bwanac: Really glad to see you here. Looking forward to enjoying your breadth of knowledge and I am thrilled that your journalistic instincts will add extraordinary value to this forum. |
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Post by Admin on Dec 3, 2011 13:38:22 GMT -5
Erokamano Omosh for the effort. Let the games begin.... Doc: Please accept this as my official welcome to the party. Having a ‘real’ Benga promoter on this forum is a real scoop. I cant wait to hear stories you have gathered from your personal experiences with some of the Benga greats. For those who have kept up with the latest Benga records, Doc may actually rank as the most mentioned (AKA mabanga in Congolese music), ‘character’ on recent Benga tracks, in this forum. His insights will no doubt be razor-sharp. Doc has been directly involved in promoting , Musa Juma, Dola Kabarry, Benga Africa and Kenge Kenge systems among many others. Welcome wuo Ahero ….Nyakado Nduari Express |
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Post by Admin on Dec 3, 2011 14:07:10 GMT -5
My brother! Thanks for this. I am excited to join in.  Djdaudi: It would be crime if I did not mention that your love for African music is unrivaled. I have known David for over 10 years and my relationship with him goes beyond our general love for music. David and his lovely wife are Godparents to my son and a frequent visitor to our family gatherings. Through David, my knowledge of African music was greatly expanded when he let me enjoy his magnificent music collection. David also accorded me a lifetime opportunity by allowing me to co-host a radio show with him on WRIR-LP 97.3 FM – www.wrir.org Richmond’s, independent radio station. In my book, David is an expert in world music, specifically Congololese, but his historical knowledge of Benga and other East African music, is second to none. David hosts a couple shows at WRIR-LP 97.3 FM . For those Benga musicians looking for a worldwide audience, David will be here to provide you with the exposure you need. Please send him your promo CD’s. David also maintains a blog which you can view here: ambiancecongo.blogspot.com/ |
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Post by tutulu78 on Dec 23, 2011 14:39:38 GMT -5
I am on board so let this party be started and discuss all music
from Kenya not only Benga.
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Post by Admin on Dec 29, 2011 11:33:32 GMT -5
I am on board so let this party be started and discuss all music from Kenya not only Benga. Tutulu: Really glad to see you on board ! and yes we will expand the board to include all Kenyan music .. |
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Post by Chabwera on Jan 7, 2013 7:06:44 GMT -5
Welcome to the Benga Music Discussion Group This is the place for music lovers worldwide to discuss all things musical to a community forum of passionate people. It is our hope that this forum will provide the premier Benga music discussion experience online! The administrators of the Bengamusic forum would like to welcome you with open arms as we begin a journey which we hope will propel us to the best of the web in terms of recognizing one of the richest forms of African music. For those who are new to Benga, Benga is a genre of Kenyan popular music. It evolved between the late 1940s and late 1960s, in Kenya's capital city of Nairobi. In the 1940s, the African Broadcasting Service in Nairobi aired a steady stream of soukous, South African kwela, Zairean finger-style guitar and various kinds of Cuban dance music. There were also popular folk songs of Kenya's Luo and Kikuyu peoples. The Luo of Kenya have long played an eight-string lyre called nyatiti, and guitarists from the area sought to imitate the instrument's syncopated melodies. In benga, the electric bass guitar is played in a style reminiscent of the nyatiti. As late as the turn of the twentieth century, this bass in nyatiti supported the rhythm essential in transmitting knowledge about the society through music. Opondo Owenga of Gem Yala, the grandfather of Odhiambo Siangla, was known in employing music as a means of teaching history of the Luo. In 1967, the first major benga band, Shirati Jazz, was formed by Daniel Owino Misiani. The group launched a string of hits that were East Africa's biggest songs throughout the 1970s and 1980s. Shirati Jazz's biggest rival was Victoria Jazz, formed in 1972 by Ochieng Nelly Mengo and Collela Mazee. Despite many personnel changes, Victoria Jazz remained popular throughout the 1970s, when the Voice of Kenya radio station pushed an onslaught of East African pop. Victoria C Band of Awino Lawi was one of the splinter group of Victoria Jazz. 1997 saw the death of three prominent Luo Benga artist, Okatch Biggy of Heka Heka Band, George Ramogi and Prince Jully. The Jolly Boys Band of Prince Jully was taken over by his wife Princess Jully and she has since been a leading female Benga musician. Another famous benga band Migori Super Stars was formed in the mid 70s and was led by Musa Olwete which later split to form another popular benga band Migori Super Stars C with musicians such as Joseph Ochola (Kasongo Polo Menyo), Onyango Jamba, Ochieng' Denge denge and others. More modern Benga artists include Kapere Jazz Band and the rootsy Ogwang Lelo Okoth. Benga artists are based in many other countries besides Kenya, and we continue to explore this fantastic genre, we will strive to report and or discuss from all corners of the globe. We also want to acknowledge that even though Benga originated with the Luo of Kenya, many other Kenyan tribes have adopted the style of play and as such Benga is quickly straddling different cultures. It is our hope that the discussions here will introduce us to Benga influences which are yet to be discovered. (Source Wikipedia) We are glad that you are here and it is our sincere hope that you will be a member and a frequent visitor to this free forum. We welcome you to interact with music lovers locally or around the world. As we continue to build a steady clientele, we will bend over backwards to ensure that our members provide you with a rich experience. We welcome you to participate in building up a wealth of beginner’s guides to famous bands/artists. We urge you to participate heartily and take part in our periodic album polls and reviews. We also urge you to create or join groups showcasing upcoming or famous bands/artists. We hope that we will expand your musical knowledge with our large selection of musical recommendations. Similarly, this is the place to make recommendations. Again, welcome aboard. |
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Post by Andrew Macharia on Jan 10, 2013 11:54:36 GMT -5
What are the origins of Benga music? I am doing a presentation in my class about it, and I was wondering how does Cuban influence factor in?
Also does Benga music involve from traditional nyatiti music?
I lived in Kenya for 2 years teaching music, but I lived in Nyeri!
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