Francois Luambo Makiadi
Encyclopedia
François Luambo Luanzo Makiadi (6 July 1938 - 12 October 1989) was a major figure in twentieth century Congolese music
, and African music in general. He is widely referred to as Franco Luambo or, simply, Franco. Known for his mastery of rumba, he was nicknamed the "Sorcerer of the Guitar" for his seemingly effortlessly fluid playing. As a founder of the seminal group OK Jazz
, he is counted as one of the originators of the modern Congolese sound.
(then the colony of Belgian Congo
). When he was still a baby, his parents moved to the capital city of Leopoldville
(now Kinshasa
). His father, Joseph Emongo, was a railroad worker while his mother baked homemade bread to sell at a local market. At age seven he built a rudimentary guitar that he played to attract customers to his mother's stall. His talent was recognized by guitarist Paul Ebengo Dewayon who taught François how to play. In 1950, the twelve year old made his professional debut as a member of Dewayon's band, Watam, impressing audiences with his skills on a guitar almost as big as himself. Three years later, François recorded his first single Bolingo na ngai na Beatrice (My love for Beatrice) after he had become part of the house band for Loningisa Studio. The band leader, Henri Bowane
, shortened his given name to "Franco", a tag that would stay with him for the rest of his life. Under Bowane's tutorage Franco became a lead guitarist skilled at the Congolese guitar display style called sebene
, and also began writing songs for Loningisa artists and singing some himself. By now he had embraced the Cuban rumba
and other styles of African music mixed with Latin influences.
In 1955, although he was being given plenty of studio work, Franco formed a band with Jean Serge Essous
that debuted in the OK Bar in Leopoldville. The following year the band was renamed OK Jazz
(later TPOK Jazz) in honor of the place it had begun. Within a year of its founding, OK Jazz, now with singer Vicky Longomba
, was challenging Grand Kalle
's African Jazz as the biggest group in Congolese music, and it continues to be the standard by which modern Congolese musicians are judged. In 1958, Essous left OK Jazz, as 19 year-old Franco went on to become the main songwriter of a constantly metamorphosizing group that ballooned from six original members to about 30 in the 1980s. Franco claims that OK Jazz produced over 150 albums during the 30 years of its existence, though 84 have been conclusively documented, and the band dominated the Congolese music scene.
In 1958, Franco was jailed for a motoring offense, but by now he had become a star in Léopoldville and crowds of fans enthusiastically greeted the release of their rebel anti-hero. This was a time when confidence was growing and Congo was moving towards the independence that would come in 1960.
As the violence and instability then accompanying the transition to independence
spread Leopoldville grew with migrants from the countryside and its nightlife continued to thrive.
In 1960 Longomba left OK Jazz, leaving Franco as undisputed leader, of an enlarged band.
The continued violence in the country convinced Franco to move OK Jazz to Belgium
to continue recording. When the situation stabilized under the rule of dictatorial President Mobutu Sese Seko
, who named the new country 'Zaire', Franco was supportive and returned to play the Festival of African Arts in Kinshasa in 1966. OK Jazz in return gained government support as part of Mobutu's attempt to create an authentically Zairean culture. Nevertheless, Franco did not shy from political subjects in his songs, or from venturing from his accustomed 'praise' tradition of music to the 'preaching' tradition, leading to several arrests when he displeased the authorities. These brushes with the law only increased his popularity with his fans.
and other new rhythms, switching from section to section of a song between traditional Congolese music, Latin rhythms, American funk, and the electric guitar sebene style known as soukous
.
In 1970 Franco suffered the loss of his younger brother and rival guitarist Bavon Marie-Marie Siongo who was killed in a car accident after angrily driving away from a quarrel with Franco over a girlfriend, who was also crippled in the accident. For some months he retreated into his home returning with a quieter and sometimes melancholy persona and music. But the band quickly revived, now becoming TPOK Jazz, the almighty, and scoring another pan-African hit in 1973 with AZDA which was in fact recorded as a commercial for Zaire's Volkswagen dealership.
Remaining close to Mobuto, despite occasional fallings-out, Franco thrived in the 1970s, becoming president of the Musicians’ Union, and an employee of the royalty agency, while continuing to perform and record. He went on to own land in France, Belgium and Zaire including the four biggest nightclubs in Kinshasa one of which the Un Deux Trois club became his headquarters, a large building including a recording studio, offices and apartments. Following his second arrest, in 1978, for indecency when bootleg cassettes of private recordings of obscene songs found their way on to the market, Franco left Zaire touring constantly, particularly in Africa
and Europe
. However at this point, there were two OK Jazzs, one left behind playing nightly at his clubs in Zaire while the other was on the road in Europe.
OK Jazz never broke into the American
market; a 1983 U.S. tour was unsuccessful. For reasons that have never been explained, Franco declared himself a Muslim
in the mid-1970s and changed his name to Abubakkar Sidikki. However, he never observed the tenets of the Islamic faith and continued to be known as Franco.
In 1987 rumors began to circulate that Franco was very ill. The only solo composition he released that year was "Attention Na SIDA" ("Beware of AIDS"), a warning to avoid catching the disease, leading to unconfirmed speculation that he had contracted HIV
. He began to withdraw his energies from OK Jazz, causing the band to begin to disintegrate under internal tensions, and reconverted from Islam to Roman Catholicism. On 12 October 1989 Franco died while in a Belgian clinic. His body was flown back to Zaire where his coffin was transported on a flag-drapped hearse with police escort through streets packed with thousands of grieving fans. The government declared four days of national mourning during which state radio played nothing but Franco's songs. On 17 October he was buried.
1956
with
1957
Franco, Vicky Longomba and De La Lune Lubelo with...
1960s
the band included:
1970s
the band included:
In the 1980s, the key vocalists included Madilu Bailu
, Josky Kiambukuta, Aime Kiwakana
, Lola Checain
, Ya Ntesa Dalienst, Malage de Lugendo
, Djo Mpoyi, Diatho Lukoki, Wuta Mayi
, Michel Boyibanda
, Ndombe Opetum
, Lassa Calyto and Lokombe Ntal. Many times OK Jazz invited other artists to be part of the huge but immensely important vocal section.
Music of the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Describing the music of the Democratic Republic of the Congo is difficult, due to vagaries surrounding the meanings of various terms. The country itself was formerly called Zaire and is now sometimes referred to as Congo-Kinshasa to distinguish it from the Republic of the Congo...
, and African music in general. He is widely referred to as Franco Luambo or, simply, Franco. Known for his mastery of rumba, he was nicknamed the "Sorcerer of the Guitar" for his seemingly effortlessly fluid playing. As a founder of the seminal group OK Jazz
OK Jazz
TPOK Jazz, originally known as OK Jazz, was a rumba band in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, from June 1956 until December 1993.-Location:...
, he is counted as one of the originators of the modern Congolese sound.
Formative years
François Luambo Luanzo Makiadi was born in the rural village of Sona Bata in the western Bas Zaire region of what is now the Democratic Republic of the CongoDemocratic Republic of the Congo
The Democratic Republic of the Congo is a state located in Central Africa. It is the second largest country in Africa by area and the eleventh largest in the world...
(then the colony of Belgian Congo
Belgian Congo
The Belgian Congo was the formal title of present-day Democratic Republic of the Congo between King Leopold II's formal relinquishment of his personal control over the state to Belgium on 15 November 1908, and Congolese independence on 30 June 1960.-Congo Free State, 1884–1908:Until the latter...
). When he was still a baby, his parents moved to the capital city of Leopoldville
Kinshasa
Kinshasa is the capital and largest city of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The city is located on the Congo River....
(now Kinshasa
Kinshasa
Kinshasa is the capital and largest city of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The city is located on the Congo River....
). His father, Joseph Emongo, was a railroad worker while his mother baked homemade bread to sell at a local market. At age seven he built a rudimentary guitar that he played to attract customers to his mother's stall. His talent was recognized by guitarist Paul Ebengo Dewayon who taught François how to play. In 1950, the twelve year old made his professional debut as a member of Dewayon's band, Watam, impressing audiences with his skills on a guitar almost as big as himself. Three years later, François recorded his first single Bolingo na ngai na Beatrice (My love for Beatrice) after he had become part of the house band for Loningisa Studio. The band leader, Henri Bowane
Henri Bowane
Henri Bowane was an influential figure in the birth of the rumba in the Congo. He was the first professional boss and early mentor to the legendary guitarist François Luambo Makiadi, known as Franco.-Early career:...
, shortened his given name to "Franco", a tag that would stay with him for the rest of his life. Under Bowane's tutorage Franco became a lead guitarist skilled at the Congolese guitar display style called sebene
Sebene
The Sebene is a kind of instrumental bridge typically executed on the electric guitar and is a characteristic element of the Congolese rumba. The development of the sebene in congolese music has been credited to both Franco Luambo and Belgian-born guitarist-producer Bill Alexandre, but it predates...
, and also began writing songs for Loningisa artists and singing some himself. By now he had embraced the Cuban rumba
Rumba
Rumba is a family of percussive rhythms, song and dance that originated in Cuba as a combination of the musical traditions of Africans brought to Cuba as slaves and Spanish colonizers. The name derives from the Cuban Spanish word rumbo which means "party" or "spree". It is secular, with no...
and other styles of African music mixed with Latin influences.
In 1955, although he was being given plenty of studio work, Franco formed a band with Jean Serge Essous
Jean Serge Essous
Jean Serge Essous was a Congolese saxophonist, clarinetist, and cofounder of the Afrika Team in Paris, France, the band Bantous de la Capital in Brazzaville, Congo, OK Jazz, and Orchestre Rock a Mambo.On 11 October 2006, UNESCO designated Jean Serge Essous a UNESCO Artist for Peace by UNESCO...
that debuted in the OK Bar in Leopoldville. The following year the band was renamed OK Jazz
OK Jazz
TPOK Jazz, originally known as OK Jazz, was a rumba band in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, from June 1956 until December 1993.-Location:...
(later TPOK Jazz) in honor of the place it had begun. Within a year of its founding, OK Jazz, now with singer Vicky Longomba
Vicky Longomba
Vicky Longomba was a singer and a founding member of Tout puissant OK Jazz, a Congolese rumba group.He later formed his own group, Lovy du Zaire....
, was challenging Grand Kalle
Grand Kalle
Joseph Kabasele Tshamala , popularly known as Le Grand Kalle, was a Congolese singer and bandleader, considered the father of modern Congolese music...
's African Jazz as the biggest group in Congolese music, and it continues to be the standard by which modern Congolese musicians are judged. In 1958, Essous left OK Jazz, as 19 year-old Franco went on to become the main songwriter of a constantly metamorphosizing group that ballooned from six original members to about 30 in the 1980s. Franco claims that OK Jazz produced over 150 albums during the 30 years of its existence, though 84 have been conclusively documented, and the band dominated the Congolese music scene.
In 1958, Franco was jailed for a motoring offense, but by now he had become a star in Léopoldville and crowds of fans enthusiastically greeted the release of their rebel anti-hero. This was a time when confidence was growing and Congo was moving towards the independence that would come in 1960.
As the violence and instability then accompanying the transition to independence
Congo Crisis
The Congo Crisis was a period of turmoil in the First Republic of the Congo that began with national independence from Belgium and ended with the seizing of power by Joseph Mobutu...
spread Leopoldville grew with migrants from the countryside and its nightlife continued to thrive.
In 1960 Longomba left OK Jazz, leaving Franco as undisputed leader, of an enlarged band.
The continued violence in the country convinced Franco to move OK Jazz to Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
to continue recording. When the situation stabilized under the rule of dictatorial President Mobutu Sese Seko
Mobutu Sese Seko
Mobutu Sese Seko Nkuku Ngbendu wa Za Banga , commonly known as Mobutu or Mobutu Sese Seko , born Joseph-Désiré Mobutu, was the President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo from 1965 to 1997...
, who named the new country 'Zaire', Franco was supportive and returned to play the Festival of African Arts in Kinshasa in 1966. OK Jazz in return gained government support as part of Mobutu's attempt to create an authentically Zairean culture. Nevertheless, Franco did not shy from political subjects in his songs, or from venturing from his accustomed 'praise' tradition of music to the 'preaching' tradition, leading to several arrests when he displeased the authorities. These brushes with the law only increased his popularity with his fans.
Mid-career
Franco proved to be an astute businessman, forming a number of recording companies to control his own work and nurture new talent (Surboum OK Jazz, Epanza Makita, Boma Bango and Éditions Populaires). In the 1970s Congolese music spread throughout Africa, led by OK Jazz with its line-up of star musicians and songs such as their huge 1971 hit Infidelité Mado, still playing rumba but supplementing it with boleroBolero
Bolero is a form of slow-tempo Latin music and its associated dance and song. There are Spanish and Cuban forms which are both significant and which have separate origins.The term is also used for some art music...
and other new rhythms, switching from section to section of a song between traditional Congolese music, Latin rhythms, American funk, and the electric guitar sebene style known as soukous
Soukous
Soukous is a dance music genre that originated in the two neighbouring countries of Belgian Congo and French Congo during the 1930s and early 1940s, and which has gained popularity throughout Africa...
.
In 1970 Franco suffered the loss of his younger brother and rival guitarist Bavon Marie-Marie Siongo who was killed in a car accident after angrily driving away from a quarrel with Franco over a girlfriend, who was also crippled in the accident. For some months he retreated into his home returning with a quieter and sometimes melancholy persona and music. But the band quickly revived, now becoming TPOK Jazz, the almighty, and scoring another pan-African hit in 1973 with AZDA which was in fact recorded as a commercial for Zaire's Volkswagen dealership.
Remaining close to Mobuto, despite occasional fallings-out, Franco thrived in the 1970s, becoming president of the Musicians’ Union, and an employee of the royalty agency, while continuing to perform and record. He went on to own land in France, Belgium and Zaire including the four biggest nightclubs in Kinshasa one of which the Un Deux Trois club became his headquarters, a large building including a recording studio, offices and apartments. Following his second arrest, in 1978, for indecency when bootleg cassettes of private recordings of obscene songs found their way on to the market, Franco left Zaire touring constantly, particularly in Africa
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
and Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
. However at this point, there were two OK Jazzs, one left behind playing nightly at his clubs in Zaire while the other was on the road in Europe.
OK Jazz never broke into the American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
market; a 1983 U.S. tour was unsuccessful. For reasons that have never been explained, Franco declared himself a Muslim
Muslim
A Muslim, also spelled Moslem, is an adherent of Islam, a monotheistic, Abrahamic religion based on the Quran, which Muslims consider the verbatim word of God as revealed to prophet Muhammad. "Muslim" is the Arabic term for "submitter" .Muslims believe that God is one and incomparable...
in the mid-1970s and changed his name to Abubakkar Sidikki. However, he never observed the tenets of the Islamic faith and continued to be known as Franco.
The 1980s
In 1980, Franco was named a Grand Master of Zairean music by the government, an honor that linked him with the ruling elite that was responsible for much of the economic problems beggaring the country. The subject of his songs shifted dramatically in this period to patriotic songs and praise songs to wealthy fans. He also began a drastic weight gain, eventually reaching about 300 pounds (136 kg). However, he retained the ability to move and excite people with his music. In 1985, Franco released his biggest hit ever, Mario, an account of a gigolo who lives off of his older lover.In 1987 rumors began to circulate that Franco was very ill. The only solo composition he released that year was "Attention Na SIDA" ("Beware of AIDS"), a warning to avoid catching the disease, leading to unconfirmed speculation that he had contracted HIV
HIV
Human immunodeficiency virus is a lentivirus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome , a condition in humans in which progressive failure of the immune system allows life-threatening opportunistic infections and cancers to thrive...
. He began to withdraw his energies from OK Jazz, causing the band to begin to disintegrate under internal tensions, and reconverted from Islam to Roman Catholicism. On 12 October 1989 Franco died while in a Belgian clinic. His body was flown back to Zaire where his coffin was transported on a flag-drapped hearse with police escort through streets packed with thousands of grieving fans. The government declared four days of national mourning during which state radio played nothing but Franco's songs. On 17 October he was buried.
Band members
Line-ups
>- Franco Luambo - lead guitar
- Roitelet Moniania - bass
- De La Lune Lubelo - second guitar or bass
- Jean Serge EssousJean Serge EssousJean Serge Essous was a Congolese saxophonist, clarinetist, and cofounder of the Afrika Team in Paris, France, the band Bantous de la Capital in Brazzaville, Congo, OK Jazz, and Orchestre Rock a Mambo.On 11 October 2006, UNESCO designated Jean Serge Essous a UNESCO Artist for Peace by UNESCO...
- saxophones - Nino Malapet - saxophones
- Jeef Mingiedi - trumpet
- Saturnin PandiSaturnin PandiSaturnin Pandi was a soukous recording artist, conga player, in the Republic of the Congo and in the Democratic Republic of the Congo . He was one of the founding members of the soukous band TPOK Jazz, formed in 1956, led by François Luambo Makiadi, which dominated the Congolese music scene from...
- drums
with
- Rossingnol Lando and Vicky LongombaVicky LongombaVicky Longomba was a singer and a founding member of Tout puissant OK Jazz, a Congolese rumba group.He later formed his own group, Lovy du Zaire....
- singers
Franco, Vicky Longomba and De La Lune Lubelo with...
- Dessoin Bosuma - drums
- Edo Nganga and Célestin Kouka - vocals
- Isaac MusekiwaIsaac MusekiwaIsaac Musekiwa is a soukous recording artist and saxophonist, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo . He was once a member of the soukous band TPOK Jazz, led by François Luambo Makiadi, which dominated the Congolese music scene from the 1950s through the 1980s.-Overview:Musekiwa was born and grew...
- saxophone - Edouard Lutula clarinet
- Willy Mbembe trumpet
- Brazzos Armando - guitar
the band included:
- Mujos Mulamba and Kwamy Munsi vocals
- Verckys Kiamuangana saxophones
- Mose 'Fan Fan' Se Sengo guitar
- Celi Bitchoumanou bass
- Youlou MabialaYoulou MabialaGilbert Youlou Mabiala , popularly known as Prince Youlou, is a soukous recording artist, composer and vocalist, in the Republic of the Congo...
vocals - Ndombe OpetumNdombe OpetumNdombe Opetum , popularly known as Pepe, is a soukous recording artist, composer and vocalist, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo...
- vocals
the band included:
- Simaro LutumbaSimaro LutumbaSimaro Massiya Lutumba Ndomemueno , popularly known as Simaro, is a soukous rhythm guitarist and songwriter, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo . He was once a member of the seminal soukous band TPOK Jazz which dominated the Congolese scene from 1960s through the 1980s.-Music career with...
- rhythm guitar - Sam MangwanaSam MangwanaSam Mangwana, born February 21, 1945, is a Congolese musician, born to a Zimbabwean migrant father and an Angolan mother. He is the frontman of his bands Festival des maquisards and African All Stars....
- vocals - Ntesa Dalienst - vocals
- Josky Kiambukuta LondaJosky Kiambukuta LondaJosky Kiambukuta is a performing artist, singer and songwriter and composer from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, formerly known as Zaire. As a member of TPOK Jazz he played alongside Franco during their most popular period in the mid 1960s until the late 1980s...
- vocals - Madilu SystemMadilu SystemJean de Dieu Makiese , popularly known as Madilu System, was a soukous singer and songwriter, born in Léopoldville, Belgian Congo - what is today known as Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo...
- vocals
In the 1980s, the key vocalists included Madilu Bailu
Madilu System
Jean de Dieu Makiese , popularly known as Madilu System, was a soukous singer and songwriter, born in Léopoldville, Belgian Congo - what is today known as Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo...
, Josky Kiambukuta, Aime Kiwakana
Aime Kiwakana
Aime Kiwakana Kiala , was a soukous recording artist, composer and vocalist, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo...
, Lola Checain
Lola Checain
Lola Chacain, is a soukous recording artist, composer and vocalist, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo . He was once a member of the soukous band TPOK Jazz, led by François Luambo Makiadi, which dominated the Congolese music scene from the 1950s through the 1980s.-See also:* Franco Luambo...
, Ya Ntesa Dalienst, Malage de Lugendo
Malage de Lugendo
Malage de Lugendo, is a soukous recording artist, composer and vocalist, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo . He was once a member of the soukous band TPOK Jazz, led by François Luambo Makiadi, which dominated the Congolese music scene from the 1960s through the 1980s.-See also:* Franco Luambo...
, Djo Mpoyi, Diatho Lukoki, Wuta Mayi
Wuta Mayi
Gaspard Wuta Mayi, commonly known as Wuta Mayi, is a soukous recording artist, composer and vocalist, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo...
, Michel Boyibanda
Michel Boyibanda
Michel Boyibanda, is a soukous recording artist, composer and vocalist, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo . He was once a member of the soukous band TPOK Jazz, led by François Luambo Makiadi, which dominated the Congolese music scene from the 1950s through the 1980s.-See also:* Franco Luambo...
, Ndombe Opetum
Ndombe Opetum
Ndombe Opetum , popularly known as Pepe, is a soukous recording artist, composer and vocalist, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo...
, Lassa Calyto and Lokombe Ntal. Many times OK Jazz invited other artists to be part of the huge but immensely important vocal section.
See also
- Music of the Democratic Republic of the CongoMusic of the Democratic Republic of the CongoDescribing the music of the Democratic Republic of the Congo is difficult, due to vagaries surrounding the meanings of various terms. The country itself was formerly called Zaire and is now sometimes referred to as Congo-Kinshasa to distinguish it from the Republic of the Congo...
- SoukousSoukousSoukous is a dance music genre that originated in the two neighbouring countries of Belgian Congo and French Congo during the 1930s and early 1940s, and which has gained popularity throughout Africa...
- List of African musicians
Further reading
- Congo Colossus: Life and Legacy of Franco and OK Jazz by Graeme Ewens, Publisher: Buku P. (12 Oct 1994), ISBN 978-0-9523655-0-1
External links
- "Franco: The James Brown of Africa" by Ted Gioia (Jazz.com)
- Discography of Franco & OK Jazz
- World Music Legends
- A fan page for Franco and OK Jazz describing events decade by decade
- [ AllMusic.com Entry on Franco]
- Franco de Mi Amor, The Village VoiceThe Village VoiceThe Village Voice is a free weekly newspaper and news and features website in New York City that features investigative articles, analysis of current affairs and culture, arts and music coverage, and events listings for New York City...
, 2 July 2001 - 1983 Interview with Franco
- The Undying Legend of King of Rumba Music, Luambo Luanzo Makiadi