Collela Mazee
| Collela Mazee | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Richard Owino |
| Born | 1954 Gem, Siaya District |
| Origin | Kenya |
| Died | 7 March 2000 |
| Genres | Benga music |
| Occupation(s) | Musician |
| Instruments | Guitar |
| Associated acts | Victoria Jazz |
Collela Mazee (real name Richard Owino) was a Kenyan musician, who was a leading member of the Victoria Jazz band alongside Ochieng Nelly. They were among the originators of the benga music, a music genre with origins in Kenya's Luoland.
Born in 1954 in Gem, Siaya District Collela attended Ngere High School where he was introduced to music in the school band. By the time he was through with education, Collela had a basic knowledge of music. Near his father's house, there lived a guitar-player and after school, together with others, he usually went to his place and watched him play. That is how he developed an interest in the guitar. He was still a child and his parents like others, did not want him to become involved in music. The risk of being found out was high and the punishment heavy. When his parents and parents of his friends caught them, they were beaten severely. They built their own little guitars which they strummed on the way back from school. When they came near home, they hid them. That is how they learnt the guitar. “We couldn't help doing it, it was in our blood," said Collela.
On leaving school in 1971, Collela joined the then Victoria Jazz. In the same year, with Ochieng' Nelly Mengo (Dr Nelly), they released their first record with AIT produced by Phares Oluoch Kanindo. Ochieng Nelly Mengo was born in Nyanza in 1950 and developed interest in music while still at school. He began to play a home-made guitar when he was very young. He played for and danced with his school friends. Things went on like that until he left school in 1966, and continued playing in the village until 1969 when he joined George Peter's band. In 1970, he joined the late George Ramogi (the leading figure in Luo music), but left him the same year. In December 1970, they founded Victoria Jazz.
The association between Dr Nelly and Collela lasted for only one year before they split up, with musicians going different ways. Only three members - Opiyo Emma, Okeyo Achayo and Collela - remained and the band had to start again from scratch. It was not until two years later that the band regained its footing and continued recording with AIT. In 1976, they switched to EMI. Recordings at AIT were on the Sungura, and later, Lolwe labels. Dr Nelly founded his own band, Tausi, and own label, Hundhwe, with Kericho's Chandarana Records. After the collapse of EMI, Kanindo started his own POK Music Stores but at the back of their minds, they were thinking of starting their own label because of the tribulations they had suffered while recording on other people's labels.
...
Wikipedia