TPOK Jazz

TPOK Jazz
Also known as	OK Jazz
Origin	Democratic Republic of the Congo
Genres	Congolese Rumba
Years active	1956 (1956)–1993 (1993)

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

The OK Jazz band was formed in 1956 in Leopoldville (now Kinshasa), in what was at the time known as the Belgian Congo, later as Zaire and today as the DRC. At one time in the late 1970s and early 1980s the band grew to over fifty (50) members. During that period, it often split into two groups; one group stayed in Kinshasa, playing in nightclubs there, while the other group toured in Africa, Europe and North America.

History

1950 - 1959

The musicians who started OK Jazz included Vicky Longomba, Jean Serge Essous, François Luambo Makiadi, De La 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, before they got together to form a band in June 1956. The name OK Jazz originated from the bar in which they played which was named OK Bar.^[1] The new band played regularly at a specific studio in the city during 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. Later in the same year, Isaac Musekiwa, a saxophonist from Zimbabwe joined the band. Up to that time the band's leadership was shared between Vicky Longomba, Essous and Franco.^[2]

1960 - 1969

In the early 1960s Vicky Longomba and Jean Essous left OK Jazz to join Africa Jazz. Franco then became the leader of the band. He recruited vocalists Kwamy Munsi and Mulamba Joseph Mujos. Simaro Masiya Lutumba joined OK Jazz in 1961, according to an interview he gave in 2002.^[3] Essous was replaced by saxophonist Verckys Kiamuangana Mateta. In 1962 OK Jazz visited Nigeria on their first foreign tour. Later that year, Vicky Longomba rejoined the band. Lola Checain, a vocalist who had left earlier also came back.

Around this time, the band changed their name to TPOK Jazz. TP stood for "Tout Pouissant" (all powerful). Band membership had increased to over twenty (20). The quality of their music had improved to where they could challenge Africa Jazz for the position of Congo's premier group. Franco's music appealed to ordinary people mainly because it discussed issues that affect the common man on a daily basis. Franco lead other Congolese musicians in using new technology to produce sounds of much higher quality than in any other part of Africa. The new technology included electric guitars, amplifiers and basses. Congo had now assumed the premier position as Africa's leading music nation.^[4]

During the late 1960s, Kwamy Munsi and Mulamba Joseph Mujos led nine other musicians in a mass defection from TPOK Jazz. A few months later, saxophonist Verckys Kiamuangana Mateta also left. Franco recruited Rondot Kassongo wa Kassongo to replace Verckys. He also brought in solo guitarist in Mose Fan Fan. Fan Fan had new style of guitar-playing called sebene, which was more danceable. This style came to be known as Sebene ya ba Yankees. Fan Fan also composed a number of extremely popular hits including Dje Melasi.^[5]

1970 - 1975

During the 1970s Franco and TPOK Jazz consolidated their position as one of the two giants of Congolese popular music, along with Grand Kalle & l'African Jazz. Many musical stars emerged from one or both of these bands. TPOK Jazz was staging concerts all over Africa, including places like Chad and Sudan. The band's finances also improved tremendously.

Franco brought on-board composer/vocalist Sam Mangwana. Sam had a Zimbabwean father and an Angolan mother, but was born and raised in Kinshasa, DRC. He spoke English, French and Portuguese, along with a number of African dialects. His recruitment energised the band and infuriated Afrisa, where he came from.

In early 1970 Vicky Longomba, who was then acting as Co-president of the band left. Mose Fan Fan, the band's flambuoyant solo guitarist also left. Then Youlou Mabiala quit and formed Orchestre Somo Somo with Fan Fan. Soon after that Tshongo Bavon Marie Marie, Franco's biological brother died in an automobile accident. The band fell upon hard times with low record sales and as sparsely attended concerts. Franco was grief stricken and despondent and stopped playing music for some time. Upon his return , he recorded several songs in memory of his late brother.

He then began to rebuild the band. This coincided with restructuring of Congo by Mobutu Sese Seko under the program of 'La Aunthenticite'. The name of the country was changed from Congo-Kinshasa to Zaire. Franco adopted the names L'Okanga La Ndju Pene Luambo Luanzo Makiadi. During this time, vocalist Mayaula Mayoni came on board, along with guitarists Mpundi Decca, Gege Mangaya, Michelino Mavatiku Visi and Dizzy Madjeku. Franco then appointed Simaro Lutumba, as the chef d'ochestre. Sam Mangwana composed his hit Luka Mobali Moko around this time.

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

1976 - 1979

By the mid 1970s Franco was one of Zaire's wealthiest citizens. He was heavily invested in real estate in Belgium, France and in Zaire. He owned Kinshasa's four largest and most popular nightclubs, the biggest of which was Un-deux-trois. TPOK Jazz played there every weekend to a packed house. In 1976, vocalist Zitani Dalienst Ya Ntesa and guitarist Gerry Dialungana were convinced to join TPOK Jazz. Mayaula Mayoni composed a song, Cheri Bondowe which was released in an album that also included Alimatou and Bisalela.

In 1977 Franco introduced a handicapped female singer known as Mpongo Love. Despite her handicap which was the result of childhood polio, she went on to become one of the continents most popular singers on the strength of her charming , vivacious voice and her songwriting. Papa Noel Nedule, an accomplished guitarist joined soon after that. Later that year the band represented Zaire in what was Africa's largest ever cultural event, The Festac which was staged in Lagos, Nigeria.

In 1978 Franco released two songs Helene and Jacky, that were deemed "indecent" by the Attornrey General of his native country. After a brief trial, he was convicted and sent to prison, along wirth other band members, who included Simaro Lutumba. He was released two months later, following street protests. That same year, Mayaula Mayoni released Nabali Misere (I am married to misery). He quit the band soon after, to pursue a solo career.^[7]

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

1980 - 1989

This period marked the pinnacle in the success of the band and that of its leader, Franco Luambo Makiadi. The band was releasing an average of four albums a year during this period. The rival Congolese bands, Afrisa International, Orchestre Veve and African Jazz could not keep up with the competition. Life was good.^[9] In 1982 Sam Mangwana returned briefly and release an album with Franco called Cooperation. Franco also released several albums with former nemesis Tabu Ley. In 1983 TPOK Jazz toured the United States of America for the first time. That year the song Non was released.^[10]

In the mid 1980s the band continued to churn out best sellers including Makambo Ezali Borreaux, 12,600 Letters to Franco, Pesa Position, Mario and Boma Ngai na Boma Yo. By this time Madilu System had taken over as the lead vocalist. In 1986, Josky Kiambukuta and Zitani Dalienst Ya Ntesa, two vocalists who felt they were not getting enough prime time exposure led another mass exodus to form their own band. Around this time, Simaro Lutumba released an album outside the OK Jazz system, featuring the song Maya. During the same timeframe, Malage de Lugendo, a vocalist, was recruited. Also Kiesse Diambu ya Ntessa from Afrisa and female vocalist Joliet Detta came on board.^[11]

At the beiginning of 1987, Franco released a 15 minute song Attention Na Sida (Beware of AIDS). The song is sung mainly in French amid heavy African drums and a kaleidoscope of thundering guitars. The song is moving even if one does not understand all the words.^[12] Also in 1987, TPOK Jazz were invited to perform at the 4th All-Africa Games in Nairobi, Kenya. In one of the eight albums that the band released in 1987, called Les On Dit, Franco introduced two new female vocalists Nana Akumu and Baniel Bambo. In 1988, Josky and Dalienst re-joined the band.

1989 was a challenging year for the band. Franco's health was in obvious decline. He had by now moved permanently to Brussels. He did not pay much and when he did, could only manage about twenty (20) minutes. The band started to fall apart with the defection of Malage de Lugendo and Dizzy and Decca who returned to Kinshasa to pursue other opportunities. Later that year Sam Mangwana teamed with Franco to release the album Forever. The album sleeve carried a photograph of Franco who appeared emanciated, and obviously in ill-health. It turned out to be Franco's last album.

On 12 October 1989, Francois Luambo Makiadi died in a hospital in Brussels, Belgium. His body was flown backto Zaire. After four (4) 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, the band members, led by Simaro Lutumba, Josky Kiambukuta, Ndombe Opetum and Madilu System approached the Franco family and agreed to split earnings) 70% (musicians) and 30% (family). This arrangement worked from August 1989 until December 1993.^[14]

During that period, the band released an album Hommage A Luambo Makiadi, made of songs recorded befeore Franco died. Josky released an album featuring the song Chandra. Simarro released an album that featured the hit record Eau Benite, sung by Madilu, an another album Somo which included the records Marby composed by Josky, and Mort Viviant Somida composed by Madilu System. The band continued to tour both in Africa and in Europe. More defections beset the band but the majority of the mussicians hung in there.

Then in December 1993 it all came crashing down. The Franco family was not satisfied with the profit-sharing arrangement in place at the time. The family wanted more money. They could not reach an agreement with musicians. The musicians returned the musical equipment to the family and went on to form a new band, Bana OK. Thus ended the life of one of Africa's most famous bands of the 20th Century, that lasted nearly thirty-eight (38) years; from June 1956 until December 1993.^[15]

Band members

TPOK Jazz had many members over the nearly thirty-eight (38) years of its existence.^[16] The list of band members reads like the "Congolese Music Hall of Fame Inductees". Many members came and went, with many coming back, some on more than one occasion. Here are some of the members of the band.^[17][18]

François Luambo Makiadi Aime Kiwakana Empompo Loway Henri Bowane Isaac Musekiwa Jean Serge Essous Josky Kiambukuta Londa Lola Checain Madilu System Malage de Lugendo Mayaula Mayoni Michelino Mavatiku Visi Michel Boyibanda Mose Fan Fan Mpundi Decca Ndombe Opetum Papa Noel Nedule Philippe Lando Rossignol Rondot Kassongo Sam Mangwana Saturnin Pandi Simaro Lutumba Kiamuangana Mateta Vicky Longomba Wuta Mayi Youlou Mabiala Zitani Dalienst Ya Ntesa

Albino Kalombo Moniania Roitelet Camille Feruzi De La Lune Diatho Lukoko Dizzy Madjeku Djo Mpoyi Edouard Lutula Gege Mangaya Gerry Dialungana Hubert Dihunga Djeskin Jean Malapet Jean Tashamala Piccolo Jeef Mingiedi Kwamy Munsi La Monta LiBerlin Leon Bolhen Bombolo Lunuma Mbemba Matalanza Mulamba Joseph Mujos Nestor Diangani Ngiandu Kanza Nyoya Fwala Paul Ebengo Dewayon Pedro Dele Thierry Mantuika Kobi

Adamo Seye Kadimoke Alphone Epayo Antoine Armando Brazzos Baniel Bambo Barami Miranda Celestin Kouka Christophe Djali Edo Nganga Flavien Makabi Mingini Celi Bitchoumanou: Georges Kiamuangana Guillaume Mbembe Jean-Felix Pouela Jolie Detta Kapitena Kasongo Kiesse Diambu Ya Ntessa Kongi Aska Lassa Carlito Makonko Kindudi Makos Milanda Barami Monogi Mopia Mpongo Love Nana Akumu Bosuma Bakili Dessoin Simon Moke Tchandala Kosuana Vieux Kalloux

Discography

It is not possible to list here the entire list of all the records and albums released by TPOK Jazz during the thirty-seven and half (37.5) years of the band's existence. It is only possible to mention a small fraction of the hundreds of records released by the band over this period. Some of the records released by TPOK Jazz include the following:^[19][20][21]

TPOK Jazz Discography June 1953 - December 1993

Year Name of Record Composer 1956 On Entre OK On Sort KO Francois Luambo Makiadi 1962 Cheri Zozo Francois Luambo Makiadi 1972 Dje Melasi Mose Fan Fan 1973 ADZA Francois Luambo Makiadi 1974 Luka Mobali Moko Sam Mangwana 1974 Kinzonzi Ki Tata Mbemba Francois Luambo Makiadi 1975 Bomba Bomba Mabe Francois Luambo Makiadi 1975 Cheri Bondowe Mayaula Mayoni 1975 Alimatou Francois Luambo Makiadi 1975 Bisalela Simaro Lutumba 1976 Bina na Ngai na Respect Zitani Dalienst Ya Ntesa 1977 Lisolo Ya Adamo Na Nzambe Zitani Dalienst Ya Ntesa 1978 Nabali Misele Mayaula Mayoni 1980 Tokoma Ba Camarade Pamba Francois Luambo Makiadi 1982 Faute Ya Cormacante Simaro Lutumba 1983 Missile Josky Kiambukuta 1983 Non Francois Luambo Makiadi 1983 Mamou Francois Luambo Makiadi 1984 Makambo Ezali Minene Francois Luambo Makiadi 1984 12,600 Letters to Franco Francois Luambo Makiadi 1985 Mario Francois Luambo Makiadi 1985 Boma Ngai Na Boma Yo Madilu System 1986 Celio Francois Luambo Makiadi 1986 Testament Ya Bowule Simaro Lutumba 1987 Attention Na Sida Francois Luambo Makiadi See also African Rumba Music of the Democratic Republic of the Congo Francois Luambo Makiadi List of African musicians External links François Luambo Makiadi, The James Brown of Africa Rumba Lingala As Colonial Resistance Coongolese Music A Brief Summary of African Popular Music Interview With Simaro Lutumba In 2002 References ^ The Name "OK Jazz" Derived from "OK Bar" ^ The Early Years of OK Jazz ^ Lutumba Joined OK Jazz In 1961 ^ TPOK Jazz During The 1960s ^ Dje Melasi Was Composed By Mose Fan Fan ^ TPOK Jazz During The Early 1970s ^ TPOK Jazz During The Late 1970s ^ Proprietaire Was Released In 1979 ^ TPOK Jazz During The Early 1980s ^ "Non" Was released In 1983 ^ TPOK Jazz In The Mid 1980s ^ Franco Released "Attention Na Sida" In 1987 ^ TPOK Jazz In The Late 1980s ^ 70/30 Profit-Sharing Arrangemet Worked for Four Years After Franco's Death ^ TPOK Jazz After The Death of Franco ^ Detailed List of TPOK Jazz Band Members 1953 - 1980 ^ Members of TPOK Jazz - 1956 - 1993 ^ Franco Luambo Makiadi And TPOK Jazz ^ The Music of TPOK Jazz ^ Videos of Some of the Songs of TPOK Jazz ^ Partial List of Record Albums Released By TPOK Jazz 1956 - 1993