Daniel Owino Misiani facts for kids

Daniel Owino Misiani (born February 22, 1940 – died May 17, 2006) was a famous musician. He was born in Tanzania but lived and worked in Kenya. There, he led a popular music group called Shirati Jazz. People in Kenya called him the "King of History." Outside of Kenya, he was known as "the grandfather of benga." He helped create and popularize this style of music.

Early Life and Music Career

Misiani was born in a small village called Nyamagongo. This village is in Mara Region, Tanzania. It is near Lake Victoria and the border with Kenya. His parents were also singers. However, they did not want him to become a musician because of their religious beliefs.

Despite this, Daniel moved to Kenya in the 1960s. He wanted to follow his dream of being a musician. His first recordings were with a band called the Victoria Boys in 1965. This band changed its name many times. It finally became very well-known as the Shirati Jazz band.

Daniel Misiani sang mostly in two languages. These were Dholuo and Swahili. He is famous for being a pioneer of Benga music. This means he was one of the first and most important people to develop this music style. Throughout his long career, he released many songs and albums. Some of his music was even released internationally. Sometimes, his song lyrics talked about important social or political issues. This occasionally caused him trouble with the government.

His Legacy and Passing

Daniel Misiani passed away on May 17, 2006. He died in a car accident in Kisumu, Kenya. He was 66 years old at the time. Even at that age, he was still actively performing and making music.

After Daniel Misiani's death, his band Shirati Jazz continued. A long-time band member, Queen Babito (Beatrice Atieno Owino), took over the leadership. This helped keep his musical legacy alive.

Music Albums

Here are some of the albums Daniel Owino Misiani contributed to:

• The Rough Guide to the Music of Kenya and Tanzania (1996, World Music Network)