How Kenya's Them Mushrooms and Les Wanyika outlasted Africa's musical giants

They are two legendary Kenyan musical outfits that have survived the true test of time!

They have succeeded where legendary Congolese bands TP OK Jazz and Afrisa International failed, despite ruling the globe in their heyday, even after the demise of their founding fathers.

However the songs of TPOK Jazz and those of Afrisa International are still popular and will live and beat the test of time just like those of the two Kenyan bands.

Kenya's Them Mushrooms and Les Wanyika bands and their work are still popular among the more than 42 ethnic groups in a population of 50 million people.

And most of their songs have been composed and sung in Kiswahili.

They have beaten the track record of longevity of the aforementioned Congolese musical outfits after the demise of their legendary founders.

TPOK Jazz Band and Afrisa International were founded by Luambo Makiadi and Tabu Ley Rochereau, respectively.

Interestingly, both Franco and Tabu Ley died in hospitals in Brussels, Belgium, on different dates.

Franco died on October 12, 1989, aged 51, while Tabu Ley passed on November 30, 2013, aged 73.

The two Kenyan musical outfits are still active and continue to promote live shows, hence landing uninterrupted invitations to offer their services to various groups of dignitaries and organisations long after the demise of their founders.

Them Mushrooms and Les Wanyika Bands are still amazing in their work.

They were in a class of their own during the 14th edition of the Voices of the Lake Musical Festivals at Dunga Hill Camp on the shores of Lake Victoria two weeks ago, where they were given a standing ovation.

Over 100 artistes and 30 bands attended the three-day festival, outstanding dancers and instrumentalists in a function that's meant to scout, mold and nurture musical talents.

And the two bands have vowed to continue with their business even after the demise of their founding fathers.

Them Mushrooms was founded by six artistes – four Harrison brothers and two other members.

The four Harrison brothers were the lead founder, the late Teddy Kalanda Harrison (saxophonist, lead vocalist and composer), Billy Saro Harrison (bass guitarist and background vocalist), the late George Zirro Harrison (lead guitarist, keyboardist and background vocalist) and the current band leader John Katana Harrison (keyboardist, lead vocalist and composer).

Others were the late George Zirro Harrison and Pius Plato Chitanda and Prit Nyale, the band's initial drummer, who was later replaced by the late Dennis Kalume Harrison and the late Narish Mharak, who joined the band in the early 1980s.

The current line-up is made up of veteran 'Wandingo' Kavoranana (drums and background vocals), the two Harrison brothers, Billy Saro Harrison and John Katana Harrison and Willy Manera (lead guitar).

Of all the six brothers, only the current band leader John Katana Harrison and Billy Saro Harrison are the surviving founding members.

Katana said their band is an institution, which has structures to follow in the administration of their services.

"We have structures that guide our operations. We follow them to the letter. That's our point of survival," he told Sunday Standard.

Katana said they also recruit new musicians to offer continuity in their operations.

"Continuity is key to our survival, just like to other institutions. And we are not an exception, as we always bring on board talented youngsters at the time of need," he said.

The 68-year-old Katana said trust and respect are another key element that keeps them together.

"Self-respect, trust and respect amongst ourselves have promoted cohesion in our team spirit at work and in private lives. It's a key ingredient in all these," he said.

He admitted that keeping their identity has not been easy since the musical outfit's formation in 1972.

Especially after the demise of key founding members.

"Any journey is never easy and we thank Almighty God for having given us the ability to do so. And we are still on the move," said the band leader whose band has landed many invitations to entertain dignitaries in different parts of the world.

Some of their best hits include Jambo Bwana, Akumu Nyar Kisaumu, Ukiwari Ni Fatari, Nyambura, and Embe Dodo, among others.

And on their part, Les Wanyika Orchestra have followed in the footsteps of Them Mushrooms.

Les Wanyika band leader Sijali Zowa said love for each other, trust and transparency in their daily business have been the magnetic factor of their continuation.

"The band is here to stay and we equally have structures that guide us in our operations," said Zowa, who's a singer and a saxophonist and a founding member of the outfit.

The band was formed in 1978 in Nairobi with five members, including drummer Rashid Juma, guitarist Omar Shehani, bassist Tom Malanga, saxophonist Sijali Salum Zowa and Phoney Mwnyasi, after quitting Simba Wanyika.

And like Them Mushrooms, they were later joined by two other talented artistes: guitarist John Nzenze and vocalist Issa Juma.

Out of the seven founding members, only three are still alive.

They are Rashid Juma, Tom Malanga and Sijali Zowa, who is the current band leader.

Some of their popular songs include Sina Makosa, Jessica, Paulina, Pamela, Shirika la Mapenzi, Mamba Ni Mapambano and Afro, among others.

Sijali said they are heading to places.

And Them Mushrooms and Les Wanyika have survived the tough and hectic journey that defeated African and global Rhumba giants TP OK Jazz Band and Afrisa International.

"Continuity is key to our survival, just like to other institutions. And we are not an exception, as we always bring on board talented youngsters at the time of need."