Le Grand Kallé et l'African Jazz
| Le Grand Kallé et l'African Jazz | |
|---|---|
|
African Jazz performing at Hotel Plaza in Brussels, during the Congolese Round Table Conference in January 1960. | |
| Background information | |
| Also known as | African Jazz |
| Origin |
Belgian Congo Republic of Congo Zaire (modern-day Democratic Republic of Congo) |
| Genres | Congolese Rumba |
Grand Kallé et l'African Jazz (often referred to simply as African Jazz) was one of 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 Le Grand Kallé.
The band was invited to Brussels in 1960 to play at the Congolese Round Table Conference, where they were amongst the first bands to introduce modern African music to Europe.
Among their most popular songs was "Indépendance Cha Cha"[1] (1960) the pan-African hit which, like much of their recorded output, used Latin American rhythms like the Cuban chachachá. They were, together with among others Franco Luambo's OK Jazz band, pioneers of the African variant of Rumba, that later evolved into Soukous.
Band members Simaro Lutumba, Tabu Ley Rochereau and Sam Mangwana were later successful with their own bands.
Personnel
- "Le Grand Kallé" (Joseph Kabasele) - vocals, bandleader
- Dr Nico Kasanda - Lead Guitar
- Sam Mangwana - vocals
- Tabu Ley Rochereau - vocals
- Youlou Mabiala - vocals
- Josky Kiambukuta - vocals
Discography
- Contributing artist
See also
- OK Jazz
- African Fiesta
- Rock'a Mambo
- Empire Bakuba
Notes
- ↑ (French) http://www.mondomix.com/actualite/725/independence-cha-cha-histoire-d-un-tube.htm "Indépendance Cha Cha" : Histoire d'un tube