List of Wanyika bands

The Wanyika bands refer to the various offshoots of the prominent Tanzanian/Kenyan band Simba Wanyika. These bands were all Kenya-based, although their central leaders - Wilson Kinyonga, George Kinyonga, Omar Shabani, John Ngereza and Issa Juma - all hailed from Tanzania. Listed here are also their Tanzania-based precursors.

• Jamhuri Jazz Band was founded in Tanganyika in the late 1950s, and was one of the more popular Tanzanian music groups. Wilson Kinyonga & George Kinyonga joined it in 1966 and played with it for the next four years before leaving in December 1970 to found Arusha Jazz Band.

• Arusha Jazz Band was founded in Arusha, Tanzania in 1970 by Wilson & George Kinyonga, along with their brother William Kinyonga and three other musicians.

• Simba Wanyika, Wilson & George Kinyonga moved to Kenya in 1971 and changed the name Arusha Jazz Band to Simba Wanyika.

• Les Wanyika. In 1978, a number of members including rhythm guitarist Omar Shabani quit Simba Wanyika and formed Les Wanyika, which also briefly recorded under the name Les Moto-Moto.

• Orchestra Jobiso. Simba Wanyika was further diminished in 1980 when George Kinyonga quit and formed Orchestra Jobiso. He eventually rejoined Simba Wanyika.

• Super Wanyika Stars. The remaining Jobiso members joined forces with former Les Wanyika vocalist Issa Juma to form another "Wanyika" splinter group, variously entitled Super Wanyika Stars, Wanyika Stars, Super Wanyika, Wanyika Super Les Les etc.

• Simba Wanyika Original. Simba Wanyika added "Original" to their name to prevent confusion with Les Wanyika and its splinter group, Super Wanyika Stars.

• MAS System, created by guitarist Abu Omar when he was laid off from Simba Wanyika after they decided to reduce from seven members to five.

• Mavalo Kings, created by former members of Simba Wanyika and Les Wanyika.

• Everest Kings, consists of various Wanyika veterans.

External links

• Discography of THE "WANYIKA" GROUPS
• Simba Wanyika: Afropop Band

My name is Abbu Omar aka Professor Jr,the former member of Simba Wanyika,now living in Tokyo , Japan since very late of 1992, I played with Simba Wanyika for almost 10 yrs and participated in many recording sessions,I remember my last recording with the band was the album "MAPENZI YA WEEK END" This was before the death of George,at that time i was not in the band but they used to call me during their recording sessions then recorded with them.I just wanted to correct the statement that says i was " LAID" off from Simba Wanyika, which causes a lot of questions also affecting my music profile,the information was completely wrong ( not true ) I quit the band by myself in order to proceed with my own way, then formed orch.Mas System , also i left the band in a normal way still with good relationship with Wilson and George,Unfortunately this wrong information came up.I would like to ask the person whom is concerned, to adjust or correct ( only )this part of the story .By the way i would like to thank Mr. Daugh Paterson,Peter Toll and John Beadel for all their efforts to make this East African music website available,I hope that we can work togethr on more future projects.My new album will be availleble soon through my record company Tamasha Corporation (Nairobi) Kenya,the title "Jambo Africa".Wishing our fans all the best.May 5th 2014-Tokyo,Japan.