African Jazz
Encyclopedia
Grand Kalle et l'African Jazz (often referred to simply as 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
. Pablo Machine,Kumwimba sabiti makangira.
Among their most popular songs was "Independence Cha Cha" (1960) the pan-African hit which, like much of their recorded output, used Latin American
rhythms like the Cuba
n chachachá. They were, together with among others Franco Luambo's OK Jazz
band, pioneers of the Africa
n variant of rumba
, that later evolved into Soukous
.
Band members Dr Nico Kasanda
, Tabu Ley Rochereau
and Sam Mangwana
were later successful with their own bands.
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...
, now 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...
. It was founded by Joseph Kabasele Tshamala, popularly known as 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...
. Pablo Machine,Kumwimba sabiti makangira.
Among their most popular songs was "Independence Cha Cha" (1960) the pan-African hit which, like much of their recorded output, used Latin American
Latin American music
Latin American music, found within Central and South America, is a series of musical styles and genres that mixes influences from Spanish, African and indigenous sources, that has recently become very famous in the US.-Argentina:...
rhythms like the Cuba
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
n chachachá. They were, together with among others Franco Luambo's 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:...
band, pioneers of the 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...
n variant of rumba
Cuban Rumba
In Cuban music, Rumba is a generic term covering a variety of musical rhythms and associated dances. The rumba has its influences in the music brought to Cuba by Africans brought to Cuba as slaves as well as Spanish colonizers...
, that later evolved into 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...
.
Band members Dr Nico Kasanda
Dr Nico Kasanda
Nicolas Kasanda wa Mikalay , popularly known as Dr. Nico was a guitarist, composer and one of the pioneers of soukous music. He was born in Mikalayi, Kasai province in the Democratic Republic of the Congo...
, Tabu Ley Rochereau
Tabu Ley Rochereau
Tabu Ley Rochereau is a musician from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. He is the leader of Orchestre Afrisa International and one of Africa's most influential vocalists and prolific songwriters...
and 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....
were later successful with their own bands.
Personnel
- Grand KalleGrand KalleJoseph Kabasele Tshamala , popularly known as Le Grand Kalle, was a Congolese singer and bandleader, considered the father of modern Congolese music...
(Joseph Kabasele) - vocals, bandleader - Dr Nico KasandaDr Nico KasandaNicolas Kasanda wa Mikalay , popularly known as Dr. Nico was a guitarist, composer and one of the pioneers of soukous music. He was born in Mikalayi, Kasai province in the Democratic Republic of the Congo...
- guitar - Tabu Ley RochereauTabu Ley RochereauTabu Ley Rochereau is a musician from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. He is the leader of Orchestre Afrisa International and one of Africa's most influential vocalists and prolific songwriters...
- vocals - 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 - Manu DibangoManu Dibango-External links:*...
- saxophone - Roger Izeidi - maracas, vocals
- Joseph "Mujos" Mulamba - vocals
- Joseph Mwena - bass
- Pamelo "Pablito" Mounk'a - vocals
- Déchaud Mwamba - guitar
- Paul Mizele - vocals
- Willy Kuntima - trumpet