Remembering Rhumba legend Musa Juma 15 years later
The late Musa Juma during a live performance.
What you need to know:
- Some of Musa Juma’s other popular songs include Hera Mudho, Freddy Afune, Maselina, Siaya Kababa, Christina, and Ufisadi.
- Musa’s younger brother, Omondi Tony (Anthony Omondi Mumbo), was also a member of Limpopo Band, before he left and went solo.
For fans of Rhumba musician Musa Juma Sunday will be a special day to mark the 15th anniversary of his death. Like in previous years no major concerts have been arranged to commemorate the day with most fans expected to remember the musician through dedications of his music online.
Musa Juma’s legacy as one of Kenya’s finest rhumba musicians will be rekindled through some of the local FM radio stations and TV stations.
Speaking to the Saturday Nation, Prof Paul Amollo Odundo recalled with nostalgia the times he shared with the musician, from his early days in Kisumu and much later in Nairobi.
“Musa was a generous and social person who interacted with many people through song and dance,” Prof Odundo said.
Musa Juma’s popular songs
Prof Odundo, who is a don at the University of Nairobi, Kikuyu campus, also recalled having been among those who initially encouraged Musa Juma to set up a band.
There close friendship explains why Musa Juma composed the song Odundo.
Backed by his Limpopo International Band, some of Musa’s other popular songs include Hera Mudho, Freddy Afune, Maselina, Siaya Kababa, Christina, and Ufisadi.
Musa’s younger brother, Omondi Tony (Anthony Omondi Mumbo), was also a member of Limpopo Band, before he left and went solo.
Omondi Tony is best remembered for the song Akinyi Judy. Coincidentally, Tony, just like Musa, died in Mombasa, but three years earlier, following a road accident.
Kenyan rhumba great
Other former members of Limpopo International Band who went solo are Johnny Junior, Madanji Perimeter, Sande Asweda and Robert Asembo. Others are guitarists Salim Wetchietere and William Owacha.
Musa Juma followed in the footsteps of another Kenyan rhumba great, Ochieng Kabeselleh. The late Kabaselleh, who was the founder and leader of Luna Kidi Band, and later on Musa, were perhaps the greatest exponents of the rhumba beat in Dholuo language.
Notably, both drew their inspiration from Congolese greats. In the new fusion by Musa and Ochieng, the rhythm, bass and solo guitars competed for supremacy.
However, Ochieng would sometimes spice up his music with sprinkling of Lingala words.
Musa Juma’s music can be streamed on Spotify, Apple music, Mdundo, Boomplay, Deezer and on Musa Juma official YouTube channel.
