OK Jazz
Encyclopedia
TPOK Jazz, originally known as OK Jazz, was a rumba band in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
, from June 1956 until December 1993.
(now Kinshasa
), in what was at the time known as the Belgian Congo
, later as Zaire
and today as the DRC
. At one time in the late 1970s and early 1980s the band grew to over fifty (50) members. During that period, it often split into two groups; one group stayed in Kinshasa, playing in nightclub
s there, while the other group toured in Africa
, Europe
and North America
.
, Jean Serge Essous
, François Luambo Makiadi
, De La Lune, Augustin Moniania Roitelet, La Monta LiBerlin, Saturnin Pandi
, Nicolas Bosuma Bakili Dessoin and vocalist Philippe Lando Rossignol
. They used to play at Loningisa Studios in Kinshasa
as individual artists, before they got together to form a band in June 1956. The name OK Jazz originated from the bar in which they played which was named OK Bar. The new band played regularly at a specific studio in the city during the week and on some weekends they played at weddings. In 1957, the lead vocalist, Philippe Lando Rossignol, quit OK Jazz and was replaced by Edo Nganga, from Congo-Brazzaville. Later in the same year, Isaac Musekiwa
, a saxophonist from Zimbabwe
joined the band. Up to that time the band's leadership was shared between Vicky Longomba, Essous and Franco.
joined OK Jazz in 1961, according to an interview he gave in 2002. Essous was replaced by saxophonist Verckys Kiamuangana Mateta
. In 1962 OK Jazz visited Nigeria
on their first foreign tour. Later that year, Vicky Longomba
rejoined the band. Lola Checain
, a vocalist who had left earlier also came back.
Around this time, the band changed their name to TPOK Jazz. TP stood for "Tout Pouissant" (all powerful). Band membership had increased to over twenty (20). The quality of their music had improved to where they could challenge Africa Jazz for the position of Congo's premier group. Franco's music appealed to ordinary people mainly because it discussed issues that affect the common man on a daily basis. Franco lead other Congolese musicians in using new technology to produce sounds of much higher quality than in any other part of Africa. The new technology included electric guitars, amplifiers and basses. Congo had now assumed the premier position as Africa
's leading music nation.
During the late 1960s, Kwamy Munsi and Mulamba Joseph Mujos led nine other musicians in a mass defection from TPOK Jazz. A few months later, saxophonist Verckys Kiamuangana Mateta
also left. Franco recruited Rondot Kassongo wa Kassongo
to replace Verckys. He also brought in solo guitarist in Mose Fan Fan
. Fan Fan had new style of guitar-playing called sebene
, which was more danceable. This style came to be known as Sebene ya ba Yankees. Fan Fan also composed a number of extremely popular hits including Dje Melasi.
, including places like Chad
and Sudan
. The band's finances also improved tremendously.
Franco brought on-board composer
/vocalist Sam Mangwana
. Sam had a Zimbabwe
an father and an Angola
n mother, but was born and raised in Kinshasa
, DRC. He spoke English
, French
and Portuguese
, along with a number of African dialects. His recruitment energised the band and infuriated Afrisa, where he came from.
In early 1970 Vicky Longomba
, who was then acting as Co-president of the band left. Mose Fan Fan
, the band's flambuoyant solo guitarist also left. Then Youlou Mabiala
quit and formed Orchestre Somo Somo with Fan Fan. Soon after that Tshongo Bavon Marie Marie, Franco's biological brother died in an automobile accident. The band fell upon hard times with low record sales and as sparsely attended concerts. Franco was grief stricken and despondent and stopped playing music for some time. Upon his return , he recorded several songs in memory of his late brother.
He then began to rebuild the band. This coincided with restructuring of Congo by Mobutu Sese Seko
under the program of 'La Aunthenticite'. The name of the country was changed from Congo-Kinshasa to Zaire
. Franco adopted the names L'Okanga La Ndju Pene Luambo Luanzo Makiadi. During this time, vocalist Mayaula Mayoni
came on board, along with guitarists Mpundi Decca
, Gege Mangaya, Michelino Mavatiku Visi
and Dizzy Madjeku. Franco then appointed Simaro Lutumba
, as the chef d'ochestre. Sam Mangwana composed his hit Luka Mobali Moko around this time.
In 1973 Josky Kiambukuta Londa
, a seasoned composer
and vocalist joined the band. In 1974, Youlou Mabiala
returned to TPOK Jazz. However, Sam Mangwana left and started a solo carer in Cote d'Ivoire
. Ndombe Opetum
was recruited from Afrisa International to replace Mangwana. He came along with hornsman Empompo Loway
. In 1975 Franco released yet another classic hit Bomba Bomba Mabe.
in Belgium
, France
and in Zaire
. He owned Kinshasa's four largest and most popular nightclubs, the biggest of which was Un-deux-trois. TPOK Jazz played there every weekend to a packed house. In 1976, vocalist Zitani Dalienst Ya Ntesa
and guitarist Gerry Dialungana were convinced to join TPOK Jazz. Mayaula Mayoni
composed a song, Cheri Bondowe which was released in an album that also included Alimatou and Bisalela.
In 1977 Franco introduced a handicapped female singer known as Mpongo Love. Despite her handicap which was the result of childhood polio, she went on to become one of the continents most popular singers on the strength of her charming , vivacious voice and her songwriting. Papa Noel Nedule
, an accomplished guitarist joined soon after that. Later that year the band represented Zaire
in what was Africa's largest ever cultural event, The Festac which was staged in Lagos
, Nigeria
.
In 1978 Franco released two songs Helene and Jacky, that were deemed "indecent" by the Attornrey General of his native country. After a brief trial, he was convicted and sent to prison, along wirth other band members, who included Simaro Lutumba
. He was released two months later, following street protests. That same year, Mayaula Mayoni
released Nabali Misere (I am married to misery). He quit the band soon after, to pursue a solo career.
In 1979 Franco moved his recording base from Kinshasa
to Brussels
, Belgium
to take advantage of superior recording facilities. Franco embarked on a tour of eight West Africa
n countries. That same year Josky released Propretaire.
could not keep up with the competition. Life was good. In 1982 Sam Mangwana
returned briefly and release an album with Franco called Cooperation. Franco also released several albums with former nemesis Tabu Ley. In 1983 TPOK Jazz toured the United States of America for the first time. That year the song Non was released.
In the mid 1980s the band continued to churn out best sellers including Makambo Ezali Borreaux, 12,600 Letters to Franco, Pesa Position, Mario and Boma Ngai na Boma Yo. By this time Madilu System
had taken over as the lead vocalist. In 1986, Josky Kiambukuta and Zitani Dalienst Ya Ntesa
, two vocalists who felt they were not getting enough prime time exposure led another mass exodus to form their own band. Around this time, Simaro Lutumba
released an album outside the OK Jazz system, featuring the song Maya. During the same timeframe, Malage de Lugendo
, a vocalist, was recruited. Also Kiesse Diambu ya Ntessa from Afrisa and female vocalist Joliet Detta came on board.
At the beiginning of 1987, Franco released a 15 minute song Attention Na Sida (Beware of AIDS). The song is sung mainly in French
amid heavy African drums and a kaleidoscope of thundering guitars. The song is moving even if one does not understand all the words. Also in 1987, TPOK Jazz were invited to perform at the 4th All-Africa Games in Nairobi
, Kenya
. In one of the eight albums that the band released in 1987, called Les On Dit, Franco introduced two new female vocalists Nana Akumu and Baniel Bambo. In 1988, Josky and Dalienst re-joined the band.
1989 was a challenging year for the band. Franco's health was in obvious decline. He had by now moved permanently to Brussels
. He did not pay much and when he did, could only manage about twenty (20) minutes. The band started to fall apart with the defection of Malage de Lugendo
and Dizzy
and Decca
who returned to Kinshasa
to pursue other opportunities. Later that year Sam Mangwana teamed with Franco to release the album Forever. The album sleeve carried a photograph of Franco who appeared emanciated, and obviously in ill-health. It turned out to be Franco's last album.
On 12 October 1989, Francois Luambo Makiadi
died in a hospital in Brussels
, Belgium
. His body was flown backto Zaire
. After four (4) days of mourning, he was given a state funeral on 17 October 1989, by Mobutu Sese Seko
's government.
, Josky Kiambukuta, Ndombe Opetum
and Madilu System
approached the Franco family and agreed to split earnings) 70% (musicians) and 30% (family). This arrangement worked from August 1989 until December 1993.
During that period, the band released an album Hommage A Luambo Makiadi, made of songs recorded befeore Franco died. Josky released an album featuring the song Chandra. Simarro released an album that featured the hit record Eau Benite, sung by Madilu, an another album Somo which included the records Marby composed by Josky, and Mort Viviant Somida composed by Madilu System
. The band continued to tour both in Africa
and in Europe
. More defections beset the band but the majority of the mussicians hung in there.
Then in December 1993 it all came crashing down. The Franco family was not satisfied with the profit-sharing arrangement in place at the time. The family wanted more money. They could not reach an agreement with musicians. The musicians returned the musical equipment to the family and went on to form a new band, Bana OK. Thus ended the life of one of Africa
's most famous bands of the 20th Century, that lasted nearly thirty-eight (38) years; from June 1956 until December 1993.
{| style="font-size:100%;"
|-
| width="100%" align="center" | TPOK Jazz Discography June 1953 - December 1993
|- valign="top"
|
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto"
! style="width:2em;" |Year !!Name of Record!!Composer
|-
|1956||On Entre OK On Sort KO||Francois Luambo Makiadi
|-
|1962||Cheri Zozo||Francois Luambo Makiadi
|-
|1972||Dje Melasi||Mose Fan Fan
|-
|1973||ADZA||Francois Luambo Makiadi
|-
|1974||Luka Mobali Moko||Sam Mangwana
|-
|1974||Kinzonzi Ki Tata Mbemba||Francois Luambo Makiadi
|-
|1975 ||Bomba Bomba Mabe||Francois Luambo Makiadi
|-
|1975||Cheri Bondowe||Mayaula Mayoni
|-
|1975||Alimatou||Francois Luambo Makiadi
|-
|1975||Bisalela||Simaro Lutumba
|-
|1976||Bina na Ngai na Respect||Zitani Dalienst Ya Ntesa
|-
|1977||Lisolo Ya Adamo Na Nzambe||Zitani Dalienst Ya Ntesa
|-
|1978||Nabali Misele||Mayaula Mayoni
|-
|1980||Tokoma Ba Camarade Pamba||Francois Luambo Makiadi
|-
|1982||Faute Ya Cormacante||Simaro Lutumba
|-
|1983||Missile||Josky Kiambukuta
|-
|1983||Non||Francois Luambo Makiadi
|-
|1983||Mamou||Francois Luambo Makiadi
|-
|1984||Makambo Ezali Minene||Francois Luambo Makiadi
|-
|1984||12,600 Letters to Franco||Francois Luambo Makiadi
|-
|1985||Mario||Francois Luambo Makiadi
|-
|1985||Boma Ngai Na Boma Yo||Madilu System
|-
|1986||Celio||Francois Luambo Makiadi
|-
|1986||Testament Ya Bowule||Simaro Lutumba
|-
|1987||Attention Na Sida||Francois Luambo Makiadi
|-
|}
Democratic 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...
, from June 1956 until December 1993.
Location
The OK Jazz band was formed in 1956 in LeopoldvilleLeopoldville
Leopoldville may refer to:* The capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, today known as Kinshasa* SS Leopoldville, a troopship sunk in 1944...
(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....
), in what was at the time known as the 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...
, later as Zaire
Zaire
The Republic of Zaire was the name of the present Democratic Republic of the Congo between 27 October 1971 and 17 May 1997. The name of Zaire derives from the , itself an adaptation of the Kongo word nzere or nzadi, or "the river that swallows all rivers".-Self-proclaimed Father of the Nation:In...
and today as the DRC
Democratic 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...
. At one time in the late 1970s and early 1980s the band grew to over fifty (50) members. During that period, it often split into two groups; one group stayed in Kinshasa, playing in nightclub
Nightclub
A nightclub is an entertainment venue which usually operates late into the night...
s there, while the other group toured 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...
, 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...
and North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
.
1950 - 1959
The musicians who started OK Jazz included Vicky LongombaVicky 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....
, 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...
, François Luambo Makiadi
Francois Luambo Makiadi
François Luambo Luanzo Makiadi 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...
, De La Lune, Augustin Moniania Roitelet, La Monta LiBerlin, Saturnin Pandi
Saturnin Pandi
Saturnin 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...
, Nicolas Bosuma Bakili Dessoin and vocalist Philippe Lando Rossignol
Philippe Lando Rossignol
Philippe Lando Rossignol, is a soukous recording artist 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. Rossignol was one of the...
. They used to play at Loningisa Studios in Kinshasa
Kinshasa
Kinshasa is the capital and largest city of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The city is located on the Congo River....
as individual artists, before they got together to form a band in June 1956. The name OK Jazz originated from the bar in which they played which was named OK Bar. The new band played regularly at a specific studio in the city during the week and on some weekends they played at weddings. In 1957, the lead vocalist, Philippe Lando Rossignol, quit OK Jazz and was replaced by Edo Nganga, from Congo-Brazzaville. Later in the same year, Isaac Musekiwa
Isaac Musekiwa
Isaac 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...
, a saxophonist from Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe is a landlocked country located in the southern part of the African continent, between the Zambezi and Limpopo rivers. It is bordered by South Africa to the south, Botswana to the southwest, Zambia and a tip of Namibia to the northwest and Mozambique to the east. Zimbabwe has three...
joined the band. Up to that time the band's leadership was shared between Vicky Longomba, Essous and Franco.
1960 - 1969
In the early 1960s Vicky Longomba and Jean Essous left OK Jazz to join Africa Jazz. Franco then became the leader of the band. He recruited vocalists Kwamy Munsi and Mulamba Joseph Mujos. Simaro Masiya LutumbaSimaro Lutumba
Simaro 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...
joined OK Jazz in 1961, according to an interview he gave in 2002. Essous was replaced by saxophonist Verckys Kiamuangana Mateta
Verckys Kiamuangana Mateta
Verckys Kiamuangana Mateta, is a soukous recording artist, composer, saxophonist and band leader, 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...
. In 1962 OK Jazz visited Nigeria
Nigeria
Nigeria , officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a federal constitutional republic comprising 36 states and its Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The country is located in West Africa and shares land borders with the Republic of Benin in the west, Chad and Cameroon in the east, and Niger in...
on their first foreign tour. Later that year, 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....
rejoined the band. 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...
, a vocalist who had left earlier also came back.
Around this time, the band changed their name to TPOK Jazz. TP stood for "Tout Pouissant" (all powerful). Band membership had increased to over twenty (20). The quality of their music had improved to where they could challenge Africa Jazz for the position of Congo's premier group. Franco's music appealed to ordinary people mainly because it discussed issues that affect the common man on a daily basis. Franco lead other Congolese musicians in using new technology to produce sounds of much higher quality than in any other part of Africa. The new technology included electric guitars, amplifiers and basses. Congo had now assumed the premier position as 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...
's leading music nation.
During the late 1960s, Kwamy Munsi and Mulamba Joseph Mujos led nine other musicians in a mass defection from TPOK Jazz. A few months later, saxophonist Verckys Kiamuangana Mateta
Verckys Kiamuangana Mateta
Verckys Kiamuangana Mateta, is a soukous recording artist, composer, saxophonist and band leader, 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...
also left. Franco recruited Rondot Kassongo wa Kassongo
Rondot Kassongo
Rondot Kassongo, 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.-See also:* Franco Luambo Makiadi*...
to replace Verckys. He also brought in solo guitarist in Mose Fan Fan
Mose Fan Fan
Mose Se Sengo is a guitarist, composer, band-leader from the Democratic Republic of Congo. He is one of the pioneers of Congolese Soukous....
. Fan Fan had new style of guitar-playing 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...
, which was more danceable. This style came to be known as Sebene ya ba Yankees. Fan Fan also composed a number of extremely popular hits including Dje Melasi.
1970 - 1975
During the 1970s Franco and TPOK Jazz consolidated their position as one of the two giants of Congolese popular music, along with Grand Kalle & l'African Jazz. Many musical stars emerged from one or both of these bands. TPOK Jazz was staging concerts all over AfricaAfrica
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...
, including places like Chad
Chad
Chad , officially known as the Republic of Chad, is a landlocked country in Central Africa. It is bordered by Libya to the north, Sudan to the east, the Central African Republic to the south, Cameroon and Nigeria to the southwest, and Niger to the west...
and Sudan
Sudan
Sudan , officially the Republic of the Sudan , is a country in North Africa, sometimes considered part of the Middle East politically. It is bordered by Egypt to the north, the Red Sea to the northeast, Eritrea and Ethiopia to the east, South Sudan to the south, the Central African Republic to the...
. The band's finances also improved tremendously.
Franco brought on-board composer
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
/vocalist Sam Mangwana
Sam Mangwana
Sam 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....
. Sam had a Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe is a landlocked country located in the southern part of the African continent, between the Zambezi and Limpopo rivers. It is bordered by South Africa to the south, Botswana to the southwest, Zambia and a tip of Namibia to the northwest and Mozambique to the east. Zimbabwe has three...
an father and an Angola
Angola
Angola, officially the Republic of Angola , is a country in south-central Africa bordered by Namibia on the south, the Democratic Republic of the Congo on the north, and Zambia on the east; its west coast is on the Atlantic Ocean with Luanda as its capital city...
n mother, but was born and raised in Kinshasa
Kinshasa
Kinshasa is the capital and largest city of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The city is located on the Congo River....
, DRC. He spoke English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
, French
French language
French is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...
and Portuguese
Portuguese language
Portuguese is a Romance language that arose in the medieval Kingdom of Galicia, nowadays Galicia and Northern Portugal. The southern part of the Kingdom of Galicia became independent as the County of Portugal in 1095...
, along with a number of African dialects. His recruitment energised the band and infuriated Afrisa, where he came from.
In early 1970 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....
, who was then acting as Co-president of the band left. Mose Fan Fan
Mose Fan Fan
Mose Se Sengo is a guitarist, composer, band-leader from the Democratic Republic of Congo. He is one of the pioneers of Congolese Soukous....
, the band's flambuoyant solo guitarist also left. Then Youlou Mabiala
Youlou Mabiala
Gilbert Youlou Mabiala , popularly known as Prince Youlou, is a soukous recording artist, composer and vocalist, in the Republic of the Congo...
quit and formed Orchestre Somo Somo with Fan Fan. Soon after that Tshongo Bavon Marie Marie, Franco's biological brother died in an automobile accident. The band fell upon hard times with low record sales and as sparsely attended concerts. Franco was grief stricken and despondent and stopped playing music for some time. Upon his return , he recorded several songs in memory of his late brother.
He then began to rebuild the band. This coincided with restructuring of Congo by 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...
under the program of 'La Aunthenticite'. The name of the country was changed from Congo-Kinshasa to Zaire
Zaire
The Republic of Zaire was the name of the present Democratic Republic of the Congo between 27 October 1971 and 17 May 1997. The name of Zaire derives from the , itself an adaptation of the Kongo word nzere or nzadi, or "the river that swallows all rivers".-Self-proclaimed Father of the Nation:In...
. Franco adopted the names L'Okanga La Ndju Pene Luambo Luanzo Makiadi. During this time, vocalist Mayaula Mayoni
Mayaula Mayoni
Mayaula Mayoni was 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...
came on board, along with guitarists Mpundi Decca
Mpundi Decca
Mpundi Decca is a soukous recording artist and guitarist 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 Makiadi* Sam...
, Gege Mangaya, Michelino Mavatiku Visi
Michelino Mavatiku Visi
Mavatiku Michelino Visi, commonly known as Michelino, is a soukous recording artist, composer, guitarist and vocalist, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo...
and Dizzy Madjeku. Franco then appointed Simaro Lutumba
Simaro Lutumba
Simaro 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...
, as the chef d'ochestre. Sam Mangwana composed his hit Luka Mobali Moko around this time.
In 1973 Josky Kiambukuta Londa
Josky Kiambukuta Londa
Josky 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...
, a seasoned composer
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
and vocalist joined the band. In 1974, Youlou Mabiala
Youlou Mabiala
Gilbert Youlou Mabiala , popularly known as Prince Youlou, is a soukous recording artist, composer and vocalist, in the Republic of the Congo...
returned to TPOK Jazz. However, Sam Mangwana left and started a solo carer in Cote d'Ivoire
Côte d'Ivoire
The Republic of Côte d'Ivoire or Ivory Coast is a country in West Africa. It has an area of , and borders the countries Liberia, Guinea, Mali, Burkina Faso and Ghana; its southern boundary is along the Gulf of Guinea. The country's population was 15,366,672 in 1998 and was estimated to be...
. 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...
was recruited from Afrisa International to replace Mangwana. He came along with hornsman Empompo Loway
Empompo Loway
Empompo Loway, is a soukous recording artist, composer 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.-See also:* Franco Luambo...
. In 1975 Franco released yet another classic hit Bomba Bomba Mabe.
1976 - 1979
By the mid 1970s Franco was one of Zaire's wealthiest citizens. He was heavily invested in real estateReal estate
In general use, esp. North American, 'real estate' is taken to mean "Property consisting of land and the buildings on it, along with its natural resources such as crops, minerals, or water; immovable property of this nature; an interest vested in this; an item of real property; buildings or...
in 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...
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
and in Zaire
Zaire
The Republic of Zaire was the name of the present Democratic Republic of the Congo between 27 October 1971 and 17 May 1997. The name of Zaire derives from the , itself an adaptation of the Kongo word nzere or nzadi, or "the river that swallows all rivers".-Self-proclaimed Father of the Nation:In...
. He owned Kinshasa's four largest and most popular nightclubs, the biggest of which was Un-deux-trois. TPOK Jazz played there every weekend to a packed house. In 1976, vocalist Zitani Dalienst Ya Ntesa
Zitani Dalienst Ya Ntesa
Zitani Dalienst Ya Ntesa, often referred to as Dalienst was a soukous recording artist, composer and vocalist, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo...
and guitarist Gerry Dialungana were convinced to join TPOK Jazz. Mayaula Mayoni
Mayaula Mayoni
Mayaula Mayoni was 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...
composed a song, Cheri Bondowe which was released in an album that also included Alimatou and Bisalela.
In 1977 Franco introduced a handicapped female singer known as Mpongo Love. Despite her handicap which was the result of childhood polio, she went on to become one of the continents most popular singers on the strength of her charming , vivacious voice and her songwriting. Papa Noel Nedule
Papa Noel Nedule
Papa Noel Nedule is a soukous recording artist and guitarist 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 Makiadi*...
, an accomplished guitarist joined soon after that. Later that year the band represented Zaire
Zaire
The Republic of Zaire was the name of the present Democratic Republic of the Congo between 27 October 1971 and 17 May 1997. The name of Zaire derives from the , itself an adaptation of the Kongo word nzere or nzadi, or "the river that swallows all rivers".-Self-proclaimed Father of the Nation:In...
in what was Africa's largest ever cultural event, The Festac which was staged in Lagos
Lagos
Lagos is a port and the most populous conurbation in Nigeria. With a population of 7,937,932, it is currently the third most populous city in Africa after Cairo and Kinshasa, and currently estimated to be the second fastest growing city in Africa...
, Nigeria
Nigeria
Nigeria , officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a federal constitutional republic comprising 36 states and its Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The country is located in West Africa and shares land borders with the Republic of Benin in the west, Chad and Cameroon in the east, and Niger in...
.
In 1978 Franco released two songs Helene and Jacky, that were deemed "indecent" by the Attornrey General of his native country. After a brief trial, he was convicted and sent to prison, along wirth other band members, who included Simaro Lutumba
Simaro Lutumba
Simaro 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...
. He was released two months later, following street protests. That same year, Mayaula Mayoni
Mayaula Mayoni
Mayaula Mayoni was 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...
released Nabali Misere (I am married to misery). He quit the band soon after, to pursue a solo career.
In 1979 Franco moved his recording base from Kinshasa
Kinshasa
Kinshasa is the capital and largest city of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The city is located on the Congo River....
to Brussels
Brussels
Brussels , officially the Brussels Region or Brussels-Capital Region , is the capital of Belgium and the de facto capital of the European Union...
, 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 take advantage of superior recording facilities. Franco embarked on a tour of eight West Africa
West Africa
West Africa or Western Africa is the westernmost region of the African continent. Geopolitically, the UN definition of Western Africa includes the following 16 countries and an area of approximately 5 million square km:-Flags of West Africa:...
n countries. That same year Josky released Propretaire.
1980 - 1989
This period marked the pinnacle in the success of the band and that of its leader, Franco Luambo Makiadi. The band was releasing an average of four albums a year during this period. The rival Congolese bands, Afrisa International, Orchestre Veve and African JazzAfrican Jazz
Grand Kalle et l'African Jazz was perhaps the first full-time, professional band in what was then called Belgian Congo, now the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It was founded by Joseph Kabasele Tshamala, popularly known as Grand Kalle...
could not keep up with the competition. Life was good. In 1982 Sam Mangwana
Sam Mangwana
Sam 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....
returned briefly and release an album with Franco called Cooperation. Franco also released several albums with former nemesis Tabu Ley. In 1983 TPOK Jazz toured the United States of America for the first time. That year the song Non was released.
In the mid 1980s the band continued to churn out best sellers including Makambo Ezali Borreaux, 12,600 Letters to Franco, Pesa Position, Mario and Boma Ngai na Boma Yo. By this time Madilu System
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...
had taken over as the lead vocalist. In 1986, Josky Kiambukuta and Zitani Dalienst Ya Ntesa
Zitani Dalienst Ya Ntesa
Zitani Dalienst Ya Ntesa, often referred to as Dalienst was a soukous recording artist, composer and vocalist, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo...
, two vocalists who felt they were not getting enough prime time exposure led another mass exodus to form their own band. Around this time, Simaro Lutumba
Simaro Lutumba
Simaro 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...
released an album outside the OK Jazz system, featuring the song Maya. During the same timeframe, 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...
, a vocalist, was recruited. Also Kiesse Diambu ya Ntessa from Afrisa and female vocalist Joliet Detta came on board.
At the beiginning of 1987, Franco released a 15 minute song Attention Na Sida (Beware of AIDS). The song is sung mainly in French
French language
French is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...
amid heavy African drums and a kaleidoscope of thundering guitars. The song is moving even if one does not understand all the words. Also in 1987, TPOK Jazz were invited to perform at the 4th All-Africa Games in Nairobi
Nairobi
Nairobi is the capital and largest city of Kenya. The city and its surrounding area also forms the Nairobi County. The name "Nairobi" comes from the Maasai phrase Enkare Nyirobi, which translates to "the place of cool waters". However, it is popularly known as the "Green City in the Sun" and is...
, Kenya
Kenya
Kenya , officially known as the Republic of Kenya, is a country in East Africa that lies on the equator, with the Indian Ocean to its south-east...
. In one of the eight albums that the band released in 1987, called Les On Dit, Franco introduced two new female vocalists Nana Akumu and Baniel Bambo. In 1988, Josky and Dalienst re-joined the band.
1989 was a challenging year for the band. Franco's health was in obvious decline. He had by now moved permanently to Brussels
Brussels
Brussels , officially the Brussels Region or Brussels-Capital Region , is the capital of Belgium and the de facto capital of the European Union...
. He did not pay much and when he did, could only manage about twenty (20) minutes. The band started to fall apart with the defection of 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...
and Dizzy
Dizzy
Dizzy may refer to:* Dizziness, the state of being off balance-Nickname:* Dizzy Gillespie, American jazz trumpet player and composer* Johnny Moore , American rhythm and blues singer* Dizzy Reed, Guns N' Roses keyboardist...
and Decca
Decca
Decca may refer to:*Decca Records, a 1929 British record label, also known as Decca Music Group*Decca Studios, a recording facility in West Hampstead, England, owned by Decca records...
who returned to Kinshasa
Kinshasa
Kinshasa is the capital and largest city of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The city is located on the Congo River....
to pursue other opportunities. Later that year Sam Mangwana teamed with Franco to release the album Forever. The album sleeve carried a photograph of Franco who appeared emanciated, and obviously in ill-health. It turned out to be Franco's last album.
On 12 October 1989, Francois Luambo Makiadi
Francois Luambo Makiadi
François Luambo Luanzo Makiadi 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...
died in a hospital in Brussels
Brussels
Brussels , officially the Brussels Region or Brussels-Capital Region , is the capital of Belgium and the de facto capital of the European Union...
, 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...
. His body was flown backto Zaire
Zaire
The Republic of Zaire was the name of the present Democratic Republic of the Congo between 27 October 1971 and 17 May 1997. The name of Zaire derives from the , itself an adaptation of the Kongo word nzere or nzadi, or "the river that swallows all rivers".-Self-proclaimed Father of the Nation:In...
. After four (4) days of mourning, he was given a state funeral on 17 October 1989, by 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...
's government.
1990 - 1993
Following the death of Franco, the band members, led by Simaro LutumbaSimaro Lutumba
Simaro 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...
, Josky Kiambukuta, 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...
and Madilu System
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...
approached the Franco family and agreed to split earnings) 70% (musicians) and 30% (family). This arrangement worked from August 1989 until December 1993.
During that period, the band released an album Hommage A Luambo Makiadi, made of songs recorded befeore Franco died. Josky released an album featuring the song Chandra. Simarro released an album that featured the hit record Eau Benite, sung by Madilu, an another album Somo which included the records Marby composed by Josky, and Mort Viviant Somida composed by Madilu System
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...
. The band continued to tour both 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 in 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...
. More defections beset the band but the majority of the mussicians hung in there.
Then in December 1993 it all came crashing down. The Franco family was not satisfied with the profit-sharing arrangement in place at the time. The family wanted more money. They could not reach an agreement with musicians. The musicians returned the musical equipment to the family and went on to form a new band, Bana OK. Thus ended the life of one of 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...
's most famous bands of the 20th Century, that lasted nearly thirty-eight (38) years; from June 1956 until December 1993.
Band members
TPOK Jazz had many members over the nearly thirty-eight (38) years of its existence. The list of band members reads like the "Congolese Music Hall of Fame Inductees". Many members came and went, with many coming back, some on more than one occasion. Here are some of the members of the band.Discography
It is not possible to list here the entire list of all the records and albums released by TPOK Jazz during the thirty-seven and half (37.5) years of the band's existence. It is only possible to mention a small fraction of the hundreds of records released by the band over this period. Some of the records released by TPOK Jazz include the following:{| style="font-size:100%;"
|-
| width="100%" align="center" | TPOK Jazz Discography June 1953 - December 1993
|- valign="top"
|
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto"
! style="width:2em;" |Year !!Name of Record!!Composer
|-
|1956||On Entre OK On Sort KO||Francois Luambo Makiadi
Francois Luambo Makiadi
François Luambo Luanzo Makiadi 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...
|-
|1962||Cheri Zozo||Francois Luambo Makiadi
Francois Luambo Makiadi
François Luambo Luanzo Makiadi 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...
|-
|1972||Dje Melasi||Mose Fan Fan
Mose Fan Fan
Mose Se Sengo is a guitarist, composer, band-leader from the Democratic Republic of Congo. He is one of the pioneers of Congolese Soukous....
|-
|1973||ADZA||Francois Luambo Makiadi
Francois Luambo Makiadi
François Luambo Luanzo Makiadi 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...
|-
|1974||Luka Mobali Moko||Sam Mangwana
Sam Mangwana
Sam 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....
|-
|1974||Kinzonzi Ki Tata Mbemba||Francois Luambo Makiadi
Francois Luambo Makiadi
François Luambo Luanzo Makiadi 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...
|-
|1975 ||Bomba Bomba Mabe||Francois Luambo Makiadi
Francois Luambo Makiadi
François Luambo Luanzo Makiadi 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...
|-
|1975||Cheri Bondowe||Mayaula Mayoni
Mayaula Mayoni
Mayaula Mayoni was 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...
|-
|1975||Alimatou||Francois Luambo Makiadi
Francois Luambo Makiadi
François Luambo Luanzo Makiadi 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...
|-
|1975||Bisalela||Simaro Lutumba
Simaro Lutumba
Simaro 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...
|-
|1976||Bina na Ngai na Respect||Zitani Dalienst Ya Ntesa
Zitani Dalienst Ya Ntesa
Zitani Dalienst Ya Ntesa, often referred to as Dalienst was a soukous recording artist, composer and vocalist, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo...
|-
|1977||Lisolo Ya Adamo Na Nzambe||Zitani Dalienst Ya Ntesa
Zitani Dalienst Ya Ntesa
Zitani Dalienst Ya Ntesa, often referred to as Dalienst was a soukous recording artist, composer and vocalist, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo...
|-
|1978||Nabali Misele||Mayaula Mayoni
Mayaula Mayoni
Mayaula Mayoni was 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...
|-
|1980||Tokoma Ba Camarade Pamba||Francois Luambo Makiadi
Francois Luambo Makiadi
François Luambo Luanzo Makiadi 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...
|-
|1982||Faute Ya Cormacante||Simaro Lutumba
Simaro Lutumba
Simaro 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...
|-
|1983||Missile||Josky Kiambukuta
|-
|1983||Non||Francois Luambo Makiadi
Francois Luambo Makiadi
François Luambo Luanzo Makiadi 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...
|-
|1983||Mamou||Francois Luambo Makiadi
Francois Luambo Makiadi
François Luambo Luanzo Makiadi 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...
|-
|1984||Makambo Ezali Minene||Francois Luambo Makiadi
Francois Luambo Makiadi
François Luambo Luanzo Makiadi 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...
|-
|1984||12,600 Letters to Franco||Francois Luambo Makiadi
Francois Luambo Makiadi
François Luambo Luanzo Makiadi 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...
|-
|1985||Mario||Francois Luambo Makiadi
Francois Luambo Makiadi
François Luambo Luanzo Makiadi 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...
|-
|1985||Boma Ngai Na Boma Yo||Madilu System
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...
|-
|1986||Celio||Francois Luambo Makiadi
Francois Luambo Makiadi
François Luambo Luanzo Makiadi 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...
|-
|1986||Testament Ya Bowule||Simaro Lutumba
Simaro Lutumba
Simaro 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...
|-
|1987||Attention Na Sida||Francois Luambo Makiadi
Francois Luambo Makiadi
François Luambo Luanzo Makiadi 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...
|-
|}
See also
- African Rumba
- 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...
- Francois Luambo MakiadiFrancois Luambo MakiadiFrançois Luambo Luanzo Makiadi 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...
- List of African musicians