Tabu Ley’s Afrisa band revival show to be held in Kinshasa
In this undated picture, Rhumba maestro Tabu Ley meets some young fans during a live performance in Nairobi.
What you need to know:
- Some of Tabu Ley’s popular songs the group has been rehearsing include Kaful Mayay, Maze and Muzina.
- Tabu Ley, who died in a Belgian in November 2013, was one of the greatest African singers and composers of all time.
A US-based Congolese musician is set to stage a special show in Kinshasa for the revival of Tabu Ley Rochereau’s legendary Afrisa International Band. The event slated for later this month is in recognition of Tabu Ley’s huge contribution to Congolese rhumba music.
Wawali Bonane has spent almost five months in Kinshasa rehearsing with a group comprising a new crop of Kinshasa-based musicians. The show dubbed, ‘L’incarnation De Tabu Ley Rochereau’ will be held on July 18 at the Centre Wallonie Bruxelles Hall in Kinshasa.
US-based Congolese musician Wawali Bonane.
Speaking recently to the Saturday Nation, Wawali said he was elated to have be involved in the organisation of the forthcoming concert.
“It’s been my ambition, in collaboration with fellow musicians, to keep Tabu Ley’s legacy alive through shows in DR Congo and abroad,” Wawali said.
According to Serge Trésor, who is Wawali’s band manager, everything is ready for the special show.
“We have been engaged in regular rehearsal sessions with an aim of catering for fans of all ages,” he said.
Kenya is among the countries the group intends to visit and perform.
Tabu Ley, whose music was very popular in Africa and beyond, is remembered for being fond of Nairobi. He not only produced some of his popular songs in Nairobi but also performed on a number of occasions in the Kenyan capital.
Tabu Ley’s Kenyan fans will remember the hit song, Nakei Nairobi, which was sung to great acclaim by songbird Mbilia Bel.
Two of Tabu ley’s daughters, Stella and Collette, went to college in Nairobi in the 1980s, confirming his confidence in the Kenyan education system. Stella’s mother, Tete, was the woman Tabu Ley sang in praise of in the 1960 classic Adios Tete.
Some of Tabu Ley’s popular songs the group has been rehearsing include Kaful Mayay, Maze and Muzina.
Wawali was among the members of the Afrisa International Band who settled in USA after having accompanied Tabu Ley on tours on many occasions.
Other band members who remained in the US include Mekanisi Modero, Djeffard Lukombo, Huit Kilos, Parigo Asuka and Dodo Munoko (now deceased).
Former band members based in Europe include guitarists Dino Vangu, and Caen Madoka, singers Faya Tess, and Beyou Ceil and trumpet player Kabert Kabasele.
Tabu Ley, who died in a Belgian hospital in November 2013, was one of the greatest African singers and composers of all time.
However, the mention of Tabu Ley is incomplete without reference to his compatriot and major musical rival Franco (Luambo Luanzo Makiadi). From the late 1950s, they were considered the two main pillars of Congolese music.
In 1983, Franco and Tabu Ley, in a rare joint project, released an album together featuring hits such as Ngungi, Lisanga ya Banganga, Ömoni Wapi and Kabasele in Memorium (dedicated to the legendary Grand Kalle who died that year).