Them Mushrooms is a musical band from Kenya, playing mostly Chakacha, some Benga and also some reggae. They are most famous for the Swahili song Jambo Bwana.They mainly do covers of previously written hit songs.
Members
- Teddy Kalanda Harrison (keyboards, vocals)
- Billy Sarro Harrison (bass, vocals)
- John Katana (tenor saxophone, percussion)
- Pritt Nyale, George Zirro Harrison (1969-92)
- Dennis Kalume Harrison (drums, 1971-92)
- John Buya Jillo (drums, vocals)
- Freddie Awalla Onyango (guitar, vocals)
Career
In 1981 Them Mushrooms issued their first album with CBS Kenya Records, named Mama Afrika after the title song, which was the first local reggae song recorded in East Africa. Their inspiration was Bob Marley. The album didn’t sell very well. The general local audience was not ready for reggae at that time. The following years Mushrooms played mainly benga music from Western Kenya and chakacha from the coast and other local popular styles, but kept reggae as their secret love. In 1985 they introduced the style “reggae on benga”, a fusion of reggae and benga which was a success. This beat has since been copied all over East and Central Africa. It is similar to soca from Trinidad or souk from the French Antilles.
In 1987 Them Mushrooms moved their headquarters to Nairobi playing at the Carnivore Restaurant. They also started to tour abroad and opened up their own recording studio “The Mushroom’s Sound Lab” with John “Bishop” Katana Harrison (with dreadlocks on the photo above) as sound engineer and producer. This studio has been responsibel for a number of very successful releases with Them Mushrooms and other bands.
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Them Mushrooms
Like many other African musicians Them Mushrooms have been exploited. Teddy Kalanda Harrisons song Jambo Bwana has been an international hit recorded by Boney M and others, but Teddy never recieved any copyright money. Them Mushrooms have managed to learn their lesson and have gradually created their own production resources and record label. They are now in a position to indepentently direct their own activities. They are a postitive role model for other bands.
Awards
In 2009 bandleader John Katana was among four pioneering Kenyan artists given Head of State Commendation awards by president Mwai Kibaki. Musician John Nzenze was among the others
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