D.O. Misiani

Kenyan Benga Music Pioneer

Daniel Owino Misiani or Mwalimu D.O. Misiani (22 February 1940 – 17 May 2006) was a Tanzanian musician from Mara Region. He was known as the "King of History" in Kenya; overseas and in Tanzania, he was known as "the grandfather of benga", of which he pioneered. Misiani was born in Nyamagongo, a quiet village just north of Shirati in Mara Region, Tanzania, close to the eastern shore of Lake Victoria and the border with Kenya. His parents were singers, but opposed his choice of a musical career on religious grounds. Nevertheless, he moved to Kenya in the 1960s to be a musician. In 1960 in Nairobi he met Daudi Kabaka a famous western Kenyan guitarist and singer already established in the local music scene and mentored Misiani. In 1961 he joined the Sokoto Band. Back in Nairobi he made his first recordings with the Victoria Boys in 1965 and played in The Equator Sound Band until 1967. He then set in motion the beginnings of what is perhaps the most successful band in Kenya by far. She started as Luo Sweet Voice, in 1969 she became Shirati Luo Voice Jazz and in 1975 she changed to D.O. 7 Shirati Jazz. He sang mostly in Dholuo and Swahili languages. He is known as a pioneering contributor to the Benga music genre. During his long career he released numerous recordings, with some international releases. He was imprisoned on several occasions for lyrics that were perceived as crossing the line into political criticism. He died in a road traffic accident at an accident blackspot in Kisumu, on the highway to Kakamega, in a crash between a minibus and a public transport van in which many others were injured. At time of his death, aged 66, he was still an active performer. Misiani, who was polygamous, had two wives (Felista and Beatrice) with 14 children.