POSTED ON
Ochieng’ Nelly & Victoria
All Stars International
the First King of History-Nyanza
Komala Express
Ochieng’ Nelly was born Nelson Ochieng Orwa in 1943 in South Nyanza.
He began playing the guitar in his teenage years after being taught
and inspired by the pioneering Congolese Musician Adolf Banyore.
Ochieng’ Nelly got his first guitar in 1961. He travelled widely through
Uganda, Congo and other African countries. He was widely exposed to
Congolese guitar playing styles. He developed his own unique playing
style that was later a big influence to the sound of The Ogara Boys Band,
and Benga music in general.
Nelly worked with his Congolese mentor for a while before joining The
Ogara Boys Band in 1962. The Ogara Boys Band consisting of founding
member John Ogara Odondi and Aketch Oyosi was formed in 1960. Together
the trio started and developed a unique sound that got the name Benga,
in 1963. In 1966, Nelly left Ogara Boys Band to pursue his career
elsewhere. He briefly collaborated with another Benga legend, George
Ramogi. Ochieng’ Nelly has produced several songs such as: Monica Abio,
Ombua Akelo, Celestine Juma, Samuel Aketch among others.His story is
featured extensively in the Ketebul Music produced documentary: Retracing
The Benga Rhythm Through Ochieng’ Nelly’s music, the legend of yester
years Benga , still lives on.
( No-Nation )
Kenya Partout vol. 5 1976
Kenya Partout vol. 2
Special African Sound 76
Kenya Partout vol. 1
01 – Piny otuchore
02 – F.e.o. mwango
03 – Absalom p.u. abebe
04 – Lucas barreh
05 – Jothum dhi rumo
06 – Sospeter jamal
07 – Sipirano awiti director
08 – Ukimwi yauwa
This entry was posted in
CD# EHS 2002: http://eastafricanmusic.com/equator_catalog.htm
The history indicated doesn’t belong to the person on the cover. Nelson Ochieng whose story is indicated was commonly known as Ochieng’ Nelly. The one on the cover is A Mr. Nyakech whose stage name was Nelly Ochieng’. Both hail from South Nyanza of Kenya. Born Nyakech plaed as the 21st comment up here. The former is still alive while the latter is dead.
confusing ..
From what I could find out, the person refered to in the musicinafrica.net article is Nelson Ochieng Orwa (stage name Ochieng Nelly), who started his music career with Congolese musician Adolf Banyore. In the early 1960s he joined the Ogara Boys, where he played together with John Ogara and Samuel Oketch. This trio is thought to have contributed to the rise of benga music. In 1966 he left the Ogara Boys and did colaborations with another benga legend George Ramogi.
The Ochieng Nelly on the record featured here is Dr. Nelson Ochieng Mengo, who was guitarist and songwriter with Victoria Jazz Band, Orchestra Tausi Jazz 73 and International de Nelly, among others. The musicinafrica.net article has it even that Dr. Ochieng Nelly was a protege of the benga veteran Ochieng Nelly Orwa…
Anyway the information to be found on the internet is very confusing, where things of the two artists often get mixed together…
Please take a look at the guitarist featured far left at the front cover of this release
https://www.discogs.com/de/release/20633776-Victoria-Kings-Jazz-Band-Victoria-Kings-Jazz-Band
The identity of the artists may be in doubt but the music itself surely isn’t There’s some cooking sizzling hot grooves being laid down here that’s for sure. Great stuff
Good
When did Sammule Oketch Oyosi of the Ogara Boys Band die?