Franco Luambo

Franco Luambo
Background information
Birth name François Luambo Luanzo Makiadi
Also known as Franco
Born (1938-07-06)6 July 1938
Sona Bata, Belgian Congo
(modern-day Democratic Republic of the Congo)
Died 12 October 1989(1989-10-12) (aged 51)
Mont-Godinne, Province of Namur, Belgium
Genres Rumba
Occupation(s) Singer, songwriter, guitarist
Instruments Guitar
vocals
Years active 1950s–1980s
Labels Loningisa, Choc
Associated acts OK Jazz

François Luambo Luanzo Makiadi (6 July 1938 – 12 October 1989) was a major figure in 20th-century Congolese music, and African music in general. He is widely referred to as Franco Luambo or, simply, Franco. Known for his mastery of rumba, he was nicknamed the "Sorcerer of the Guitar" for his seemingly effortless fluid playing. As a founder of the seminal group OK Jazz, he is counted as one of the originators of the modern Congolese sound.

Biography

He was born in 1938 in what was then the Belgian Congo. His mother had a market stall in Ngiri-Ngiri, and he played harmonica and other instruments to help attract customers.[1]

In 1955 Franco formed a band that debuted in the OK Bar. The following year the band was renamed OK Jazz in honour of the place it had begun.[2] And then, another change to Tout Puissant O.K. Jazz (T.P.O.K. Jazz) (which means The Almighty O.K. Jazz)

Franco only toured the USA on one occasion, in 1983.[3]

He died in 1989, resulting in four days of national mourning in Zaire.[2]

Discography

Year Album
1969Franco & Orchestre O.K. Jazz* – L'Afrique Danse No. 6 (LP)
1973Franco & OK Jazz* – Franco & L'O.K. Jazz
1974Franco Et L'Orchestre T.P.O.K. Jazz* – Untitled
1977"Franco" Luambo Makiadi* And His O.K. Jazz* – Live Recording of the Afro European Tour Volume 2 (LP, album)
1977"Franco" Luambo Makiadi* & His O.K Jazz* – Live Recording of the Afro European Tour
1981Soki Odefi Zongisa (LP, album)
1982Franco Et Sam Mangwana Avec Le T.P. O.K. Jazz* – Franco Et Sam Mangwana Avec Le T.P.O.K. Jazz (LP)
1983Franco & Tabu Ley* – Choc Choc Choc 1983 De Bruxelles A Paris
1986Franco & Le T.P.O.K. Jazz – Choc Choc Choc La Vie Des Hommes – Ida – Celio (30 Ans De Carrière – 6 Juin 1956 – 6 Juin 1986) (LP)
1987Franco Et Le T.P.O.K. Jazz – L'Animation Non Stop (LP)
1988Le Grand Maitre Franco* - Baniel - Nana et le T.P.O.K. Jazz* - Les "On Dit" (LP)
1989Franco Et Sam Mangwana – For Ever (LP, Cass)

See also

References

  1. ↑ Al Angeloro (March 2005). "World Music Legends: Franco". Global Rhythm. Zenbu Media. Retrieved 14 July 2012.
  2. 1 2 "Franco: biography". allmusic. Rovi. Retrieved 9 February 2014.
  3. ↑ Ted Giola. "The James Brown of Africa (Part One)". Jazz.com. Archived from the original on 25 March 2012. Retrieved 28 December 2011.

Further reading

  • Graeme Ewens, Congo Colossus: Life and Legacy of Franco and OK Jazz, Buku P. (12 October 1994), ISBN 978-0-9523655-0-1
  • Gary Stewart (2000). Rumba on the River: A History of the Popular Music of the Two Congos. Verso. ISBN 1859843689.
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