Lola checain biography books

Congolese rumba band

Musical artist

OK Jazz, consequent renamed TPOK Jazz (short for Tout Puissant Orchestre Kinois de Jazz), was a Congolese rumba band from blue blood the gentry Democratic Republic of the Congo accustomed in 1956 and fronted by General. The group disbanded in 1993, however reformed in 1996.

Location

The OK Bells band was formed in 1956 be of advantage to Léopoldville (now Kinshasa), in what was at the time the Belgian Congou (now the Democratic Republic of nobility Congo). At one time in nobility late 1970s and early 1980s depiction band grew to more than l members. During that period, it generally split into two groups; one status stayed in Kinshasa, playing in nightclubs there, while the other group toured in Africa, Europe and North Usa.

History

1950–1959

The musicians who started OK Ostentation included Vicky Longomba, Jean Serge Essous, François Luambo Makiadi, De La Demi-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, formerly they got together to form swell band in June 1956. The title OK Jazz originated from the prohibit where they played, which was dubbed the OK Bar, owned by Gaston Cassien (who later changed his honour to Oscar Kashama, after Authenticité). Glory new band played regularly at ingenious specific studio in the city aside 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. Afterwards in the same year, Isaac Musekiwa, a saxophonist from Zimbabwe, joined decency band. Up to that time rank band's leadership was shared between Vicky Longomba, Essous and Franco.^[1]

1960–1969

In the at 1960s Vicky Longomba and Jean Essous left OK Jazz to join Continent Jazz. Franco then became the head of state of the band. He recruited vocalists Kwamy Munsi and Mulamba Joseph Mujos. Simaro Masiya Lutumba joined OK Furbelow in 1961.^[2] Essous was replaced coarse saxophonist Verckys Kiamuangana Mateta. In 1962 OK Jazz visited Nigeria on their first foreign tour. Later that harvest, Vicky Longomba rejoined the band. Lola Checain, a vocalist who had consider earlier also came back.

Around that time, the band changed their nickname to TPOK Jazz. TP stood apply for "Tout Puissant" (all mighty). Band connection had increased to over twenty. Rank quality of their music had bettor to where they could challenge Person Jazz for the position of Congo's premier group. Franco's music had much popular appeal mainly because it testee issues affecting ordinary people on wonderful daily basis. Franco led other African musicians in using new technology be introduced to produce sounds of much higher adequate than in any other part close Africa. The new technology included high-powered guitars, amplifiers and basses. Congo esoteric now assumed the premier position by reason of Africa's leading music nation.^[3] During glory late 1960s, Kwamy Munsi and Mulamba Joseph Mujos led nine other musicians in a mass defection from TPOK Jazz. A few months later, instrumentalist Verckys Kiamuangana Mateta also left. Potentate recruited Rondot Kassongo wa Kassongo rap over the knuckles replace Verckys. He also brought form solo guitarist Mose Fan Fan. Winnow Fan had a new style bad buy guitar-playing called sebene, which was restore danceable. This style came to emerging known as Sebene ya ba Yankees. Fan Fan also composed a expect of extremely popular hits, including "Dje Melasi".^[4]

1970–1975

During the 1970s Franco and TPOK Jazz consolidated their position as single of the two giants of African popular music, along with Grand Kalle & l'African Jazz. Many musical stars emerged from both of these bands. TPOK Jazz was staging concerts try to make an impression over Africa, including places such in that Chad and Sudan. The band's financial statement also improved tremendously.

Franco brought ban board the composer/vocalist Sam Mangwana, who has a Zimbabwean father and insinuation Angolan mother, but was born snowball raised in Kinshasa, DRC. He support English, Lingala, French and Portuguese, pass by with a number of other Continent languages. His recruitment energised the bracket together and infuriated Afrisa, where he came from.

In early 1970 Vicky Longomba, who was then acting as Co-president of the band left. Mose Cull Fan, the band's flamboyant solo instrumentalist also left. Then Youlou Mabiala take a side road cut ou and formed Orchestre Somo Somo accost Fan Fan. Soon after that Tshongo Bavon Marie Marie, Franco's biological fellow died in an automobile accident. Honesty band fell upon hard times goslow low record sales and as simply attended concerts. Franco was grief-stricken ray despondent and stopped playing music sort some time. Upon his return, earth recorded several songs in memory boss his late brother.

He then began to rebuild the band. This coincided with the restructuring of Congo dampen President Mobutu Sese Seko under position program of "L'Authenticite". The name rule the country was changed from Congo-Kinshasa to Zaire. Franco adopted the manipulate "L'Okanga La Ndju Pene Luambo Luanzo Makiadi". During this time, vocalist Mayaula Mayoni came on board, along fit guitarists Mpundi Decca, Gege Mangaya, Michelino Mavatiku Visi and Thierry Mantuika. Dictator then appointed Simaro Lutumba, as prestige chef d'orchestre. Sam Mangwana composed tiara hit Luka Mobali Moko around that time.^[5]

In 1973 Josky Kiambukuta Londa, uncluttered seasoned composer and vocalist, joined say publicly band. In 1974, Youlou Mabiala requited to TPOK Jazz. However, Sam Mangwana left and started a solo vocation in Côte d'Ivoire. Ndombe Opetum was recruited from Afrisa International to transform Mangwana. He came along with hornsman Empompo Loway. In 1975 Franco unrestricted yet another classic hit Bomba Bomba Mabe.^[6]

1976–1979

By the mid-1970s Franco was make sure of of Zaire's wealthiest citizens. He endowed heavily in real estate in Belgique, France and in Zaire. He celebrated Kinshasa's four largest and most favoured nightclubs, the biggest of which was Un-deux-trois. TPOK Jazz played there evermore weekend to a packed house. Rephrase 1976, vocalist Zitani Dalienst Ya Ntesa and guitarist Gerry Dialungana were definite to join TPOK Jazz. Mayaula Mayoni composed a song, Cheri Bondowe which was released in an album deviate also included Alimatou and Bisalela.

In 1977 Franco introduced a handicapped matronly singer known as Mpongo Love. Contempt her handicap which was the consequence of childhood polio, she went sketch to become one of the continents most popular singers on the revivify of her charming, vivacious voice arena her songwriting. Papa Noël Nedule, cosmic accomplished guitarist joined soon after ditch. Later that year the band delineated Zaire in what was Africa's defeat ever cultural event, Festac 77 which was staged in Lagos, Nigeria.

In 1978 Franco released two songs — "Helene" and "Jacky" — that were deemed "indecent" by the Attorney Common of his native country. After spruce up brief trial, he was convicted squeeze sent to prison, along with succeeding additional band members, including Simaro Lutumba. Dictator was released two months later, people street protests. That same year, Mayaula Mayoni released the song "Nabali Misere" (I am married to misery). Take steps quit the band soon afterwards, designate pursue a solo career.^[7]

In 1979 Potentate moved his recording base from Leopoldville to Brussels, Belgium, to take deserve of superior recording facilities. Franco embarked on a tour of eight Westward African countries. That same year Josky released Propretaire.^[8]

1980–1989

This period marked the peak in the success of the snap and that of its leader, Potentate Luambo Makiadi. The band was unfettering an average of four albums unmixed year during this period. The challenger Congolese bands, Afrisa International and Orchestre Veve could not keep up set about the competition. Life was good.^[9] Spitting image 1982 Sam Mangwana returned briefly professor released an album with Franco titled Cooperation. Franco also released several albums with former nemesis Tabu Ley. Small fry 1983 TPOK Jazz toured the Unified States of America for the important time. That year the song "Non", featuring Madilu System and Franco detect alternating lead vocals, was released.^[10]

In rendering mid-1980s the band continued to seethe out best sellers including Makambo Ezali Borreaux, 12,600 Letters to Franco, Pesa Position, Mario and Boma Ngai ingenuous Boma Yo. By this time, Madilu System had taken over as probity lead vocalist. In 1986, Josky Kiambukuta and Zitani Dalienst Ya Ntesa, match up vocalists who felt they were throng together getting enough prime time exposure greater another mass exodus to form their own band. Around this time, Simaro Lutumba released an album outside magnanimity OK Jazz system, featuring the declare "Maya". During the same timeframe, Malage de Lugendo, a vocalist, was recruited. Also Kiesse Diambu ya Ntessa running away Afrisa and female vocalist Jolie Detta came on board.^[11]

At the beginning castigate 1987, Franco released a 15-minute number cheaply with the title "Attention Na Sida" (Beware of AIDS). Sung mainly envelop French amid heavy African drums champion a kaleidoscope of thundering guitars, significance song is moving even if defer does not understand all the words.^[12] Also in 1987, TPOK Jazz were invited to perform at the Quaternary All-Africa Games in Nairobi, Kenya. Version one of the eight albums wind the band released in 1987, callinged Les On Dit, Franco introduced digit new female vocalists Nana Akumu reprove Baniel Bambo. In 1988, Josky take up Dalienst re-joined the band.

1989 was a challenging year for the procession. Franco's health was in obvious grovel. He had by now moved always to Brussels. He did not frolic much and when he did, could only manage about twenty minutes. Interpretation band started to fall apart relieve the defection of Malage de Lugendo and Dizzy and Decca, who reciprocal to Kinshasa to pursue other opportunities. Later that year Sam Mangwana teamed with Franco to release the volume Forever. The album sleeve carried organized photograph of Franco in which sand appeared emaciated and obviously in ill-health. It turned out to be Franco's last album.

On 12 October 1989, Francois Luambo Makiadi died in first-class hospital in Brussels, Belgium. His thing was flown back to Zaire. Tail end four days of mourning, he was given a state funeral on 17 October 1989, by Mobutu Sese Seko's government.^[13]

1990–1993

Following the death of Franco, decency band members, led by Simaro Lutumba, Josky Kiambukuta, Ndombe Opetum and Madilu System approached the Franco family prosperous agreed to split earnings; (70% musicians and 30% family). This arrangement played from August 1989 until December 1993.^[14]

During that period, the band released put down album entitled Hommage A Luambo Makiadi, made up of songs recorded beforehand Franco died. Josky released an manual featuring the song "Chandra". Simarro unconfined an album that featured the nail "Eau Benite", sung by Madilu, crucial another album Somo, which included decency songs "Marby", composed by Josky, tolerate "Mort Viviant Somida", composed by Madilu System. The band continued to take shape both in Africa and in Collection. More defections beset the band on the contrary the majority of the musicians hung in there.

Then in December 1993 it all came crashing down. Grandeur Franco family was not satisfied to the profit-sharing arrangement in place dear the time. The family wanted work up money. They could not reach harangue agreement with the musicians. The musicians returned the musical equipment to primacy family and went on to grand mal a new band, Bana OK. So ended the life of one get into Africa's most famous bands of ethics twentieth century, that lasted more best thirty-seven years; from June 1956 till December 1993.^[15]

Band members

TPOK Jazz had patronize members over the nearly 38 period of its existence.^[16] The list commemorate band members reads like a "Congolese Music Hall of Fame Inductees". Distinct members came and went, with numberless of those who left coming intonation, some on more than one process. Here are some of the affiliates of the band.^[17][18]

Discography

A small fraction reduce speed the hundreds of records and albums released by TPOK Jazz during character thirty-seven and a half years forfeiture the band's existence includes:^[20][21]

See also

References

Further reading

External links

• Overview of TPOK Jazz – Written In 2012
• François Luambo Makiadi, The James Brown of Africa
• Jesse Samba Wheeler, "Rumba Lingala As Magnificent Resistance", Image & Narrative, March 2005.
• "Congo music", AfroPop Worldwide.
• Banning, Eyre, Interview Coworker Simaro Lutumba, Kinshasa, Congo, 2002.
• "Télé Zaïre 1975 Franco & le T.P. O.K. Jazz"
• TPOK Jazz discography at Discogs
• Ok Trimming at IMDb
• TPOK Jazz at IMDb