Kenyan legendary musician and Them Mushrooms founding band leader Ted Kalanda Harrison has passed away at the age of 72.
Kalanda died at his rural home in Kaloleni, Kilifi County after a long battle with cancer.
Kalanda has been battling with cancer since 2018. He had already lost his eyesight at the time of death.
His younger brother John Katana, who is now the band leader shared the heartbreaking news to the media on Tuesday September 17, 2024.
“It has been a long painful journey for our brother, he was a huge inspiration to us, the residents of the coastal region and kenyans generally,” Katana stated.
He was a very talented saxophone player and a vocalist. Kalanda and his fellow band members started Them Mushrooms band in 1972 in Mombasa.
The band has covered popular songs and played at various venues especially along Kenya’s coast.
Later they were to develop their own unique sound, blending Kenya’s traditional music with modern genres like reggae, benga and pop.
Kalanda will be remembered for the hit song ‘Jambo Bwana’ which gained popularity both locally and internationally in the 1980’s.
Jambo, originally known as Kenya Hakuna Matata and Jambo Bwana, was first recorded by Them Mushrooms.
The recording sold over 200,000 copies between 1982 and 1987, receiving the platinum certification in Kenya.
Additional renditions followed with recordings produced in Sudan, Ethiopia, Dubai, Germany, France, Holland, Belgium, Canada, Spain, Portugal, Italy, and Switzerland.
In 1994 Elton John composed a song to be used in The Lion King using the title ‘Hakuna Matata’.
Written by Judy Wilson
