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ALI PESA 'MBONGO': THE UNSUNG HERO OF MODERN BENGA

 When I learned of the passing of Ali Pesa, the lead guitarist of John Junior's Beautiful Voices (BV) Band International, my reaction was that of shock and disbelief. It had been barely a month after I had met him at Downholm, Nairobi at the outset of the Covid-19 pandemic. Frail and emaciated though he looked, he appeared happy and energetic; wearing his usual dimpled smile. He had a guitar on his shoulder and was apparently going to perform at show in the area that evening. It therefore came as shock to me when I heard just a few months later that he had passed away in April, that very year (2020).

Ali Pesa was without a doubt the best lead guitarist Kenya has ever produced. His unique guitar playing style was high on energy, danceable and rhythmic, producing intricate, fast-paced, and interlocking melodic lines reminiscent of Congolese rumba. It was this unique style that endeared him to the fans and artists alike. Any serious Luo benga or rumba artist knew that to create a masterpiece, they had to have Ali Pesa on the track, even if only for the studio session alone. That explains why his name is mentioned so many times in most of the Benga and rumba pieces and masterpieces of his time.

Unbeknown to many, Ali Pesa wasn't himself from the Luo community but played mainly in Luo bands. He was a Luhya by tribe but a Luo by choice, one could put it. Colloquially called "Baba Tuzo/Tuso" and "Mbongo" his presence instantly transformed bands from hitherto unknown local pub groups to nationally acclaimed super bands. Such was the talent and influence of Ali Pesa. The peak of most benga bands in Kenya coincided with him being part of the bands: Think of Dola Kabarry's Orchestra Super Haki Haki in the early 2000s, Omondi Longlilo's Migwena Kings of the early 2010s, Opiyo Jarumba's Super Major International Band of the mid 2010s and John Junior's BV Band International from mid 2010s onwards. All these bands peaked when Ali Pesa was their lead guitarist and struggled to maintain the same level of fame and influence when he left. Take Omondi Longlilo and Migwena Kings for example and listen to the lead guitar and 'seben' played by Ali pesa in tracks such as "Anita Nyausonga", "Goretty Awino", "Were Wuod Ogawo", "Genga ka Wajango", "Diana nyakatito" and "Okoth Mang'ang'a".

Ali Pesa was without a doubt the best Benga lead guitarist Kenya has ever produced. 

Considered the best benga guitarist of any generation, Ali Pesa wowed many with his playing style, producing some of the best modern benga songs of the modern era. Ali Pesa was good at rumba too which explains his stint with predominantly rumba bands such as BV Band International and Super Major Band. It was at the former band that he got the name "Jamsanda, Baba Tuzo". The moniker "Mbongo" (Lingala word for money) aptly shows just what a treasure he was . While at BV, Ali Pesa contributed to most if not all of John Junior's albums; Kalisto Baba (2015), Nyoremo (2020) and Dhano Otamo wang Nyasaye (2018), plus a number of singles while paying lead-cum-solo guitar. In the song titled "BV Band" John Junior pays tribute to Ali Pesa and other band members. Ali still had a lot to contribute to the growth of Kenyan rumba and benga. It's such a shame that he passed away at such a young age. When the history of Kenyan band music will be written, Ali Pesa's name will stand out in golden letters, a testament to his rare talent, easy charm and ready smile. What a man he was! May his soul rest in peace.

 

Author's Note: Not much information is available on the late Ali Pesa; his age at death, where he ails from, his family and final resting place. 

 

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