Wilson Kinyonga
Encyclopedia
Wilson Peter Kinyonga was an influential musician in Kenya
. Born in Tanzania
, Wilson Kinyonga and his brother George Kinyonga
founded the rumba band Simba Wanyika
which would later spawn Les Wanyika
, Super Wanyika Stars and other offshoots. Les Wanyika was to become more popular as Simba Wanyika disintegrated. The death of George Peter Kinyonga in August 1995 served as the last nail in the coffin for Simba Wanyika. Subsequent attempts by some former band members to reassemble the band have not been successful.
Wilson and George Kinyonga began as musicians in their home town of Tanga
in Tanzania when they joined Jamhuri Jazz Band
in 1966. They moved to Arusha
in 1970 and formed Arusha Jazz Band with their other brother, William Kinyonga. In 1970 they moved to Kenya and formed Simba Wanyika, which would become one of the most influential bands in the history of East African music.
Kenya
Kenya , officially known as the Republic of Kenya, is a country in East Africa that lies on the equator, with the Indian Ocean to its south-east...
. Born in Tanzania
Tanzania
The United Republic of Tanzania is a country in East Africa bordered by Kenya and Uganda to the north, Rwanda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west, and Zambia, Malawi, and Mozambique to the south. The country's eastern borders lie on the Indian Ocean.Tanzania is a state...
, Wilson Kinyonga and his brother George Kinyonga
George Kinyonga
George Peter Kinyonga was an influential musician in Kenya.Born in Tanzania, Peter Kinyonga and his elder brother Wilson Kinyonga founded the rumba band Simba Wanyika which would later spawn Les Wanyika, Super Wanyika Stars and other offshoots.George and Wilson Kinyonga began as musicians in their...
founded the rumba band Simba Wanyika
Simba Wanyika
Simba Wanyika was a Kenyan based band created in 1971 by Tanzanian brothers Wilson Kinyonga and George Kinyonga, and disbanded in 1994. Simba Wanyika and its two offshoots, Les Wanyika and Super Wanyika Stars, became some of the most popular bands in Kenya. Their guitar-driven sound, inspired by...
which would later spawn Les Wanyika
Les Wanyika
Les Wanyika was a prominent band with Kenyan and Tanzanian members and was based in Kenya. It was formed in 1978 when guitarist Omar Shabani, bassist Tom Malanga and two other members left Simba Wanyika. They were joined by John Ngereza and Issa Juma. Les Wanyika made many popular recordings, but...
, Super Wanyika Stars and other offshoots. Les Wanyika was to become more popular as Simba Wanyika disintegrated. The death of George Peter Kinyonga in August 1995 served as the last nail in the coffin for Simba Wanyika. Subsequent attempts by some former band members to reassemble the band have not been successful.
Wilson and George Kinyonga began as musicians in their home town of Tanga
Tanga, Tanzania
Tanga is both the name of the most northerly seaport city of Tanzania, and the surrounding Tanga Region. It is the Regional Headquarters of the region.With a population of 243,580 in 2002, Tanga is one of the largest cities in the country...
in Tanzania when they joined Jamhuri Jazz Band
Jamhuri Jazz Band
Jamhuri Jazz Band was founded in late 1950s in Tanga, Tanzania when the country was known as Tanganyika. It was one of the more popular Tanzanian musical groups...
in 1966. They moved to Arusha
Arusha
Arusha is a city in northern Tanzania. It is the capital of the Arusha Region, which claims a population of 1,288,088, including 281,608 for the Arusha District . Arusha is surrounded by some of Africa's most famous landscapes and national parks...
in 1970 and formed Arusha Jazz Band with their other brother, William Kinyonga. In 1970 they moved to Kenya and formed Simba Wanyika, which would become one of the most influential bands in the history of East African music.