Matata (band)
{{Short description|African rock and funk band}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| background = group_or_band
| name = Matata
| image =
| image_size =
| image_upright =
| landscape =
| alt =
| caption =
| alias = Air Fiesta Matata
| origin =
| genre = Afro funk, rock
| discography =
| years_active = Mid 1960s - 1974
| label = President Records, Crystal, Stateside Records, Chairman, RPM Records
| spinoffs =
| spinoff_of =
| current_members =
| past_members = Steeleson Beauttah
Nashon Gandani
Sammy Kagenda
Jacques Kalunga
Isaac Kisombe
Toby Kombo
John Nzenze
Patrice Oluma
John Otieno
Anwar Richard
Gabby Wamala
| website =
| module =
| module2 =
| module3 =
}}{{Not to be confused with|Matata (music group)|text=}}
Matata was a prominent African rock and funk band that was formed in Nairobi during the 1960s. They released a number of singles and recorded two albums during the early to mid-1970s.
Background
Matata was formed by Kenyan musician John Nzenze. They started out as Air Fiesta Matata. Influenced by Stevie Wonder, The Beatles and South African kwela, they gained popularity with Kenya's younger generation.Music in Africa, 1 Jun 2020 - [https://www.musicinafrica.net/magazine/kenya-john-nzenzes-death-ends-african-twist-era News, Kenya: John Nzenze's death ends African twist era By Lucy Ilado] Along with the Ashantis and the Cavaliers, Air Fiesta Matata was one of the resident bands at Robbie Armstrong's Starlight club in Nairobi.On My Father's Wings
An Entrepreneurial Journey of Finding Humility, Resiliency, and a Lasting Legacy,
By Michael Shirima · 2022 - ISBN 9781632995964, 1632995964 - [https://books.google.com/books?id=vTKGEAAAQBAJ&dq=%22Air+Fiesta%22Matata&pg=PT56 Chapter 9 JOY, TRAGEDY, AND JOY] This is where the group became recognized.The Weekly Review 1985 - [https://books.google.com/books?id=3wVXAAAAYAAJ&q=%22Air+Fiesta%22Matata Page 21] They were later regarded as an Afro Funk band.Opposing Apartheid on Stage, By Tyler Fleming · 2020 - ISBN 9781580469852, 158046985X - [https://books.google.com/books?id=tAk7EAAAQBAJ&dq=Joe+Mogotsi+Matata&pg=PA364 Page 384 Notes to p. 244, 118.]
Some of the group's members were refugees from Congo.BBC News, 13 June 2020 - [https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-52978770 John Nzenze: The founder of 'Africa's best band' By Basillioh Mutahi, BBC News, Nairobi] The group's membership included Steel Beauttah on vocals and Gabriel Wamala on drums. One of Matata's members was exiled South African saxophonist Dudu Pukwana.
The group won the Best Band in Africa Award in a competition organized by the BBC World Service in London. Finding international fame, the group also played to venues in the UK, US, France Germany, Norway and Switzerland.
Career
=1960s=
In 1968, they appeared at the All-African Music Festival in Algeria. There they were ranked as the third best band in Africa. In 1969 they stayed in Ethiopia for several months to perform for Emperor Haile Selassie.
=1970s=
Having won the BBC sponsored competition to find Africa's best band, the ensemble was invited to come to the UK and perform for the BBC. They also played some venues in London and ended up being managed by Pearl Connor. She got them work in the UK and Europe as well as a job as the opening act for Miles Davis. When they got back to London they signed up for a two-album deal with President Records.We Are Cut, 7 March 2017 - [https://wearecult.rocks/matata-wanna-do-my-thing-the-complete-president-recordings-reviewed Matata: ‘Wanna Do My Thing – The Complete President Recordings’ reviewed - Peter Robinson]
In 1972 their debut album Matata – Air Fiesta was released on President Records.Music Republic Magazine, February 2017 - [https://musicrepublicmagazine.com/2017/02/matata-wanna-thing-rpm-recordscherry-red-now/ Matata: Wanna Do My Thing (RPM Records/Cherry Red) Out Now]
In 1973 there were some issues that would have an impact on the band. with work permits running out they had to return to Kenya. Some members left due to not wanting to divide their time between Nairobi and the UK. At some stage, possibly 1974, former Foundations and future Sunburst member, Eric Allandale went with the group to Zambia. There they played for the Independence celebrations.Record Collector, Issue 456 15 July 2016 - [https://recordcollectormag.com/reviews/album/ave-africa ALBUM, REVIEWS, Ave Africa | Sunburst - Reviewed by Kris Needs]The Guardian, Fri, 21 Sep, 2001 - [https://www.theguardian.com/news/2001/sep/21/guardianobituaries Eric Allandale, Powerful trombone master of jazz and pop by Val Wilmer]
Later years
Line ups
=1971 line up=
- Steeleson Beauttah – vocals, bongos
- Jacques Kalunga – vocals, drums, congas
- Isaac Kisombe – lead guitar
- Toby Kombo – lead guitar
- John Otieno – rhythm guitar
- Nashon Gandani – tenor sax
- Patrice Oluma – vocals, bongo
- Sammy Kagenda – bass
- Gabby Wamala – drums
- Anwar Richard – keyboard, vocals
President Records - [https://president-records.co.uk/artist/matata/ MATATA]
Discography
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable"
|+ Album |
| scope="col" class="unsortable" | Act
! scope="col" | Release ! scope="col" | Catalogue ! scope="col" | Year ! scope="col" class="unsortable" | Notes |
|---|
| scope="row" | Matata
| Air Fiesta | President PTLS 1052 | 1972 | |
| scope="row" | Matata
| Independence | President PTLS 1057 | 1974 | |
Further reading
- President Records – [https://president-records.co.uk/artist/matata/ Matata]
- Nation, Saturday, June 6, 2020 – [https://nation.africa/kenya/life-and-style/weekend/john-nzenze-a-tribute-to-the-last-king-of-african-twist-500192 John Nzenze: A tribute to the last king of African twist By BILLIE ODIDI]