Mlimani Park Orchestra
Profile:
Tanzanian group mainly known for playing 'muziki wa dansi'.
Muhiddin Maalim Gurumo and Hassani Rehani Bitchuka left Nuta Jazz Band to form Mlimani Park Orchestra in 1978.
They were the resident band for the Mlimani Club in the Dar es Salaam suburb of Mwenge.
When the club owners (Tanzania Transport and Taxi Services) went bankrupt in 1983,
the band came under the auspices of the Dar es Salaam Development Corporation (DDC).
During this period they were generally known as Orchestra DDC Mlimani Park.
The band and its musicians became an independent organization (free of 'sponsors') in 2009.
Members:
Cosmas Thobias Chidumule, Francis Lubua, Hassani Bitchuka,
Henry Andandi Mkanyia, Huruka Uvuruge, Joseph Bernard,
Joseph Mlenga, Max Bushoke, Michael Bilali, Michael Enoch,
Muharami Saidi, Shabani Dede
Musicians Profile:
While some of the elders and erstwhile leaders of musical creation have either died (Michael Enoch,
guitarist Joseph Mulenga, bass player Suleiman Mwanyiro) or moved on to other bands (Gurumo, Dede),
the band is guided by founding member and drummer Habibu Abbas,
while in the vocal chores Bitchuka is competently supported by Abdalla Emba, Hassan Kunyatta and Yassini.
Solo guitarists Ramadhani Mapesa and Maufi Mohamed play those smooth melodic lines that sing and burn at the same time.
Maufi also doubles on rhythm guitar together with energy man Mjusi Shemboza.
The death of bass giant Mustafa Ngosha, and just recently of Shaban Mabuyu, has left Tony Karama as the sole bass player.
The foundation and fire within is provided by Choka Mzee on drums & Ally Jamwaka on tumba;
saxophones and trumpets are still in the hand of some of the band’s veterans providing Mlimani’s
signature brassy question-and-answer games: Hamisi Mirambo & Ally Yahaya trumpet; Joseph Bernard saxophones.
23 авг 2024
