The all time great hit ‘Jambo Bwana’ composer, Ted Kalanda died on Tuesday, aged 72.
Jambo Bwana has remained the ever fresh hit for decades.
Kalanda has been leading the long surviving band ‘Them Mushrooms’ that was formed in 1927 and for over five decades it remained the long surviving united band entertaining band.
‘Them Mushrooms’ well known for its songs Unkula huu, Wazee tukatike, Nyambura nakupenda among others rocked the airwaves in the 80’s and to date, they remain the finest unfading music ever.
His brother John Katana confirmed the death.
“He died at his Kaloleni home in Kilifi county on Tuesday. Ted has been battling cancer since 2018 and until his death he had completely lost his eyesight,” Katana sadly revealed.
Jambo Bwana…habari gani…mzuri sana… are finest lyrics that were done and redone by local bands and international artists and has been one of the songs used to welcome tourists into the country.
Ted composed songs praising the national soccer team among them Harambee stars kiboko yao.
‘Them mushroom’ has been an entertaining band, with the late President Mwai Kibaki never gracing any official functions without being entertained by ‘Them Mushrooms’.
‘Them Mushroom’ was renamed ‘Uyoga band’ in 2022 and still rocking the airwaves.
Ted Kalanda worked together with George Ziro, who is now deceased, Billy Saro, Denis Kalume who is now deceased and his young brother John Katana.
