DIZZY MANDJEKU & THE ODEMBA OK ALL STARS
10 June • MKC Dancing Hall, 24:00
DIZZY MANDJEKU guitar
TOMS NTALE guitar
MALAGE DE LUGENDO vocals
LOKOMBE N’KALULU vocals
NANA AKUMU vocals
JOMALI BOLONGE bass guitar
ALONZO NZAU drums
MUKULU MUKI trumpet, vocals
DIBWIDI DIDAN tenor saxophone
In the Congolese rumba movement, the guitarist Dizzy Mandjeku is considered a living legend. Before he became a member of the renowned Orchestre OK Jazz, directed by Franco Luambo Makiadi in the 60’s and 70’s, Dizzy had already formed numerous bands in his home country, and played with Les Maquisard / Ntesa Dalienst, Tabu Ley Rochereau and many huge names of the Congolese music scene. From Tabu Ley Rochereau’s band, Dizzy and Sam Mangwana formed the African All Stars, a formation that Dizzy was leading and that had quite some impact internationally. Under the artistic direction of Dizzy, the Orchestre African All Stars International released three albums, each considered true soukous monuments. The musical heritage and cultural relevance of Franco Luambo Makiadi and T.P.O.K. Jazz is essential. The Congolese rumba has recently been added to the UNESCO list of intangible heritage. This legendary orchestra of Franco was of great influence and its unique approach of rumba became known as Odemba. After Franco’s passing, Dizzy took over the lead of the band and became an indispensable part of the Congolese musical society, standing side by side with Papa Noël, Papa Wemba, Tshala Muana and Verckys. At a later stage, when Dizzy had moved to Brussels, he founded Odemba OK All Stars, preserving the unique sound of the traditional Congolese rumba. More recently, Dizzy collaborated with singers like Waldemar Bastos, Sam Mangwana, Zap Mama, Milow, Baloji and Stromae.
