Simba Wanyika

The Kinyonga brothers Wilson Peter and George Peter, both natives of Kigoma, Tanzania, launched the ensemble in 1971. They had already performed with one of the country’s leading outfits, Jamhuri Jazz Band, beginning in 1966. After shifting to Arusha in 1970 they established Arusha Jazz together with their sibling William Peter under equipment sponsorship. The musicians next relocated to Kenya, where a recording contract arrived in 1972. Additional Tanzanian players were enlisted and the group adopted the name Simba Wanyika, or Lions of the Wilderness. Their tougher approach distinguished them from prevailing rumba acts and left them largely without rivals in Kenya once the Tanzanian border closed in 1975. Late in the decade rhythm guitarist Omar Shabini withdrew with numerous colleagues to create Les Wanyika. Simba Wanyika continued recruiting, yet George himself departed in 1980 and took further members to form Orchestra Jobiso. He eventually returned while maintaining separate projects with Jobiso. To avoid mix-ups with Les Wanyika and its offshoot Super Wanyika, the band appended “Original” to its title. Renewed success followed in the mid-1980s with numerous hits and a European tour in 1989.