Pesa Jazz

Pesa Jazz is a style of jazz music that originated in East Africa, particularly Kenya and Tanzania, drawing heavily from traditional East African musical forms and rhythms. The term "Pesa" (Swahili for "money") sometimes refers to the professional or commercial aspect of the music, distinguishing it from purely traditional folk music.

Pesa Jazz typically incorporates elements such as chakacha rhythms, taarab melodies (especially from the coastal regions), and benga influences. Western instruments, like guitars, keyboards, and drums, are combined with traditional instruments such as nyatiti (a Luo stringed instrument), marimba, and various percussion instruments to create a unique and often highly danceable sound.

Common characteristics of Pesa Jazz include:

• Polyrhythms: Complex rhythmic structures incorporating multiple rhythms played simultaneously.
• Call and Response Vocals: A vocal style where a lead vocalist sings a phrase and a chorus or group responds.
• Swahili Lyrics: While other languages may be used, Swahili is frequently the primary language of the songs.
• Guitar-Driven Melodies: Guitars often play prominent melodic lines, influenced by Congolese guitar styles.
• Focus on Dance: Pesa Jazz is designed to be danced to, and often features fast tempos and infectious grooves.

Prominent Pesa Jazz musicians and bands include, but are not limited to, Orchestra Super Mazembe, Les Wanyika, and Samba Mapangala & Orchestra Virunga. These artists have contributed significantly to the popularization of the genre both within East Africa and internationally. While the term "Pesa Jazz" might not be universally recognized in formal musicology, it is used colloquially and informally within the East African music scene to describe this particular fusion of jazz and East African musical traditions.