Wuta Mayi
Encyclopedia
Gaspard Wuta Mayi, commonly known as Wuta Mayi, is a soukous
recording artist, composer
and vocalist, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
(DRC). 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.
on 9 August 1949. He was given the name Gaspard soon after bith. Later as a child, the name Paschal was added, after his maternal grandfather Pascal Gaspard Mayandi.
He went to school in Kinshasa
, the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo
and the largest city in that country. He studied at Josephine Charlotte School for his elementary education, continuing on to Saint Andre, a technical school in Limete
. He finished his education at the Ateneo
in Ngiri Ngiri.
In 1967, at the age of 18, while still a student at the Josephine Charlotte School, he joined the band known as Jamel Nationale, based in the town of Dendal. Other band members included the vocalist Aime Kiwakana
also known as Emmanuel Kiala, with whom he became friends and who also sang with TPOK Jazz at one time. Other musicians who made their start at Jamel Nationale included
saxophonist Empompo Loway
, guitarists Bavo Marie-Marie (a brother of François Luambo Makiadi
), Makosso, Dave Makondele and vocalists Marcel Loko a.k.a.Djeskain, Djo Mpoyi and others. While at Jamel, a member of his family named him Blaise and was referred to as Blaise Pasco from then on.
on July 26, 1949, and like Wuta Mayi, he had just started his professional career after high school. Orchestra Bamboula made its official debut in February 1969 in the town of Limete
. Band members included Wuta Mayi, Aime Kiwakana
, Pires
and Tino Mwinkwa as vocalists, Jeff Lunam on saxophone
, Mangenza on drums, Bopol Mansiamina on rhythm guitar
and, Papa Noel on lead guitar. That same year, orchestra Bamboula
was selected to represent the Democratic Republic of the Congo
in the first Pan-African Festival of Culture in Algiers
, Algeria. The band known as Bantous de la Capitale represented the Republic of the Congo
(Congo-Brazzaville). While on that trip, Wuta Mayi turned twenty years old.
After several changes of bands, including one he formed (Orchestra Continentale), Wuta Mayi joined
TPOK Jazz in 1974, after an invitation relayed through Josky Kiambukuta, with whom they had played in Orchestra Continentale. Arond this time, the Authenticity Program imposed by the then President
, Mobutu Sese Seko
, Pascal became Wuta Mayandi Yundula, Josky Kiambukuta became Kiambukuta Londa and Franco
became Luambo Luanzo Makiadi.
, Youlou Mabiala
, Ndombe Opetum
and Aime Kiwakana
. Wuta Mayi is credited to have composed a number of songs while there, including the following:
, France
. In the mid 1990s, he, with others formed the band Odemba. However the band failed to fully launch due to lack of fumnds.
In the early 200s, Wuta Mayi, Nyboma
, Djeskain Loko Massengo, Sammy Bumba Massa, Papa Noel Nedule
and Jean-Papy Ramazani formed a band called Kékélé that has toured extensively in Europe
and North America
. Kékélé means "vines that are used in villages in Africa to make connections". The band plays entirely using acoustic guitars, drums and percussions.
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...
recording artist, 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, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
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...
(DRC). He was once a member of the soukous band TPOK Jazz, led by 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...
, which dominated the Congolese music scene from the 1960s through the 1980s.
Background
Wuta Mayi was born at Leopold General Hospital in then 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...
on 9 August 1949. He was given the name Gaspard soon after bith. Later as a child, the name Paschal was added, after his maternal grandfather Pascal Gaspard Mayandi.
He went to school 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....
, the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo
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...
and the largest city in that country. He studied at Josephine Charlotte School for his elementary education, continuing on to Saint Andre, a technical school in Limete
Limete
Limete is a municipality in the Mont Amba district of Kinshasa, the capital city of the Democratic Republic of the Congo....
. He finished his education at the Ateneo
Ateneo
Ateneo is a Spanish and an Italian term for the word Athenaeum. As a name, it may refer to:*Educational institutions established by the Society of Jesus in the Philippines; the Ateneos*El Ateneo, a bookshop in Buenos Aries, Argentina...
in Ngiri Ngiri.
In 1967, at the age of 18, while still a student at the Josephine Charlotte School, he joined the band known as Jamel Nationale, based in the town of Dendal. Other band members included the vocalist Aime Kiwakana
Aime Kiwakana
Aime Kiwakana Kiala , was a soukous recording artist, composer and vocalist, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo...
also known as Emmanuel Kiala, with whom he became friends and who also sang with TPOK Jazz at one time. Other musicians who made their start at Jamel Nationale included
saxophonist 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...
, guitarists Bavo Marie-Marie (a brother of 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...
), Makosso, Dave Makondele and vocalists Marcel Loko a.k.a.Djeskain, Djo Mpoyi and others. While at Jamel, a member of his family named him Blaise and was referred to as Blaise Pasco from then on.
Early professional career
Wuta Mayi began his professional career in the orchestra Bamboula in 1968. The orchestra was created that same year by guitarist Anthony Nedule Papa Noel. Another of the band members was guitarist, Paul Mansiamina Mfoko a.k.a. Bopol. Bopol Mansiamina was born 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...
on July 26, 1949, and like Wuta Mayi, he had just started his professional career after high school. Orchestra Bamboula made its official debut in February 1969 in the town of Limete
Limete
Limete is a municipality in the Mont Amba district of Kinshasa, the capital city of the Democratic Republic of the Congo....
. Band members included Wuta Mayi, Aime Kiwakana
Aime Kiwakana
Aime Kiwakana Kiala , was a soukous recording artist, composer and vocalist, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo...
, Pires
Pires
Pires is a common surname in the Portuguese language, namely in Portugal and Brazil. It was originally a patronymic, meaning Son of Pedro or Son of Pero . Its Spanish equivalent is Pérez. It is a variant form of Peres. It may mean different things:-People:*A. M...
and Tino Mwinkwa as vocalists, Jeff Lunam on saxophone
Saxophone
The saxophone is a conical-bore transposing musical instrument that is a member of the woodwind family. Saxophones are usually made of brass and played with a single-reed mouthpiece similar to that of the clarinet. The saxophone was invented by the Belgian instrument maker Adolphe Sax in 1846...
, Mangenza on drums, Bopol Mansiamina on rhythm guitar
Rhythm guitar
Rhythm guitar is a technique and rôle that performs a combination of two functions: to provide all or part of the rhythmic pulse in conjunction with singers or other instruments; and to provide all or part of the harmony, ie. the chords, where a chord is a group of notes played together...
and, Papa Noel on lead guitar. That same year, orchestra Bamboula
Bamboula
A bamboula is a kind of drum made from a section of giant bamboo with skin stretched over the ends. It is also a secular dance accompanied by the drums. Both were brought to the Americas by African slaves....
was selected to represent the Democratic Republic of the Congo
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...
in the first Pan-African Festival of Culture in Algiers
Algiers
' is the capital and largest city of Algeria. According to the 1998 census, the population of the city proper was 1,519,570 and that of the urban agglomeration was 2,135,630. In 2009, the population was about 3,500,000...
, Algeria. The band known as Bantous de la Capitale represented the Republic of the Congo
Republic of the Congo
The Republic of the Congo , sometimes known locally as Congo-Brazzaville, is a state in Central Africa. It is bordered by Gabon, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo , the Angolan exclave province of Cabinda, and the Gulf of Guinea.The region was dominated by...
(Congo-Brazzaville). While on that trip, Wuta Mayi turned twenty years old.
After several changes of bands, including one he formed (Orchestra Continentale), Wuta Mayi joined
TPOK Jazz in 1974, after an invitation relayed through Josky Kiambukuta, with whom they had played in Orchestra Continentale. Arond this time, the Authenticity Program imposed by the then President
President
A president is a leader of an organization, company, trade union, university, or country.Etymologically, a president is one who presides, who sits in leadership...
, 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...
, Pascal became Wuta Mayandi Yundula, Josky Kiambukuta became Kiambukuta Londa and Franco
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...
became Luambo Luanzo Makiadi.
Career with TPOK Jazz
Wuta Mayi played with OK Jazz from 1974 until the early 1980s. Other vocalists in the band at that time included Josky Kiambukuta, Michel BoyibandaMichel 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...
, 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...
, 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 Aime Kiwakana
Aime Kiwakana
Aime Kiwakana Kiala , was a soukous recording artist, composer and vocalist, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo...
. Wuta Mayi is credited to have composed a number of songs while there, including the following:
- Melou - In 1975
- Basala la vie - In 178
- Ayant Droit - In 1980
- Beyou - In 1980
- Tuti - In 1981
Career after TPOK Jazz
It is not clear when he left the band. However, by the time of Franco's death in 1989, Wuta Mayi had left TPOK Jazz. He relocated to ParisParis
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
, 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...
. In the mid 1990s, he, with others formed the band Odemba. However the band failed to fully launch due to lack of fumnds.
In the early 200s, Wuta Mayi, Nyboma
Nyboma
Nyboma is one of the most celebrated Soukous musicians in the world. Nyboma Mwan'dido was born in Zaire ....
, Djeskain Loko Massengo, Sammy Bumba Massa, 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*...
and Jean-Papy Ramazani formed a band called Kékélé that has toured extensively 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...
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...
. Kékélé means "vines that are used in villages in Africa to make connections". The band plays entirely using acoustic guitars, drums and percussions.
External links
See also
- Franco Luambo Makiadi
- 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....
- Josky Kiambukuta
- 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...
- Ndombe OpetumNdombe OpetumNdombe Opetum , popularly known as Pepe, is a soukous recording artist, composer and vocalist, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo...
- Youlou MabialaYoulou MabialaGilbert Youlou Mabiala , popularly known as Prince Youlou, is a soukous recording artist, composer and vocalist, in the Republic of the Congo...
- Mose Fan FanMose Fan FanMose Se Sengo is a guitarist, composer, band-leader from the Democratic Republic of Congo. He is one of the pioneers of Congolese Soukous....
- Michel BoyibandaMichel BoyibandaMichel 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...
- TPOK Jazz
- List of African musicians