Collela Mazee's rich legacy

Dr Collela Mazee mausoleum in Uriri. [File Courtesy]

Collela Mazee was an articulate solo guitarist and singer who led the Victoria Kings B Jazz Band to become a formidable force in the music scene from the 1970s to the early 2000s. He died on March 7, 2000, after a period of illness.

Many of the musicians he mentored went on to become renowned names on the Benga scene.

All his compositions, sung in Dholuo, were rich in moral lessons and often addressed topical societal issues. While he focused mainly on love songs, he occasionally ventured into political themes.

Collella Mazee’s prominence made him one of the few celebrated musicians from Western Kenya whose performances spanned major East African cities including Nairobi, Dar es Salaam, Kampala, Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru, and Eldoret.

His influence pushed the reach of Benga music beyond regional boundaries in pursuit of wider recognition.

Together with Daniel Owino Misiani of the D.O. Shirati Jazz Band, Mazee helped define Benga as a musical genre by integrating traditional Luo instruments, such as the orutu and nyatiti, into its modern form.

He earned the nickname ‘Doctor’ due to his exceptional skill as a guitarist and singer in the melodious Benga style.

Awil Kamusa, a bass guitarist and drummer who was with the band for 30 years, describes Mazee as a good manager who always paid on time and led the band to record prolifically since its founding in 1976. “He mentored me and many others, and we’ve lived in his shadow to this day,” said Kamusa.

Still active, Kamusa has since focused on playing bass guitar.

“The young musicians are very talented drummers, and I had to give them a chance for the band to survive in today’s competitive environment,” said Kamusa, who now leads Victoria Stars.

He said Mazee taught them how to be independent in their musical careers.

Owuor Jamapera, a rhythm guitarist with the original Victoria Kings B Band, credited Mazee with instilling discipline—something that has helped them remain professional today.

“Victoria Kings B gave us the experience and exposure we needed, and we’ve carried that into Victoria Stars,” said Jamapera.

George ‘Jojo’ Ouma, the band’s Head of Marketing, said Yuca Toti was Mazee’s best-selling record, with 25,000 copies sold—surpassing Wich e Dhano by Odongo Agwata and Naomi Obera ka Siling, both released in the 1980s.

Rhythm guitarist Odham Wembe, who left Victoria Kings B to join a Congolese band alongside bandmate Asanka John, fondly recalled his time with Mazee after joining in 1976.

“He helped me raise my family and educate my siblings through my career as a professional musician,” said Wembe, now living in Awendo, Homa Bay County.

Ogega Rabuor, now a soldier in the Kenya Defence Forces, also paid glowing tribute to the late musician.

He said his time as a rhythm guitarist with Victoria Kings B Band helped him gain entry into the military’s Maroon Commandos Orchestra.

“My experience with Victoria Kings B allowed the military to take me in as a music professional,” said Rabuor.

He joined the Maroon Commandos in 1993, meeting fellow musicians Habel Kifoto, Tuesday Oguro,and David Kibe, after completing his military training.

Oyugah Malage, a guitarist with Victoria Stars, said working with Mazee shaped him into a disciplined professional. “Today, I can support my family through music, and I’m proud of that,” he said.

Born Richard Owino in 1954 in Gem, Siaya County, Collella Mazee dropped out of Ngere High School in Form Two to pursue music. In 1972, he joined the Victoria Jazz Band under the mentorship of Ochieng’ Nelly, another Benga music veteran.

Nelly introduced him to the rigors of Benga, but the two parted ways in 1973 when Mazee took over leadership of the band. He went on to release hit songs like Jack-Jack (1974) and Nyaduse (1976).

Victoria Jazz split again in 1979, giving rise to several Victoria groups that dominated the Benga scene in the 1980s and 1990s. Mazee remained at the helm of the Victoria Kings B Band.

After his death, his former band members went on to form the Victoria Stars Band.