Mlimani Park Orchestra

Formed in 1978 by twelve musicians under the sponsorship of Tanzania Transport and Taxi Drivers' Association. Core performers included vocalists Ilassani Bitchuka and Muhiddin Maalim, guitarist Abel Balthazar, and bandleader/guitarist/saxophonist/arranger Michael Enoch, who recently retired from performing due to illness. These musicians had been in Nuta Jazz and helped form Dar International. They won the national music contest in 1982 and had a long string of hits over the next few years, changing their sponsorship to that of the Dar Development Corporation in 1983. In 1985, several members, including Bitchuka, formed International Orchestre Safari Sound, which stole Mlimani Park's thunder until Bitchuka decided to return a few years later. ~ Steve Huey