Les Wanyika

The death of bandleader and guitarist John Ngereza in February 2000 put the future of the Kenyan band Les Wanyika in jeopardy. An offshoot of Simba Wanyika, a band that moved from Tanzania to Kenya in 1991, Les Wanyika had continued to inspire dancing with their energetic approach to African rumba. Although little known outside of Africa, the band was cherished in its homeland and their lengthy list of regional hits include "Sina Makosa," "Paulina," and "Pamela." The website www.natari.com described their sound as "crystal clear with lovely guitaring and infectious singing," a...