Jabulani Library

THE LEGACY OF NUTA JAZZ BAND & J.K.T. KIMBUNGA IN TANZANIA'S DANCE MUSIC SCENE

January 21, 2025 - 05:05 PM NUTA Jazz Band was a cornerstone of Tanzania's dance music landscape, celebrated for its unique sound and legendary members. Among the key figures were prolific singer-composer Muhiddin Maalim Gurumo, talented guitarist Abel Balthazar, and renowned singer-composer Hassani Bitchuka. These three influential musicians would later join forces again in the iconic Mlimani Park Orchestra, performing at the Mlimani Park Bar in Mwenge, Dar es Salaam. The band's brass section was equally impressive, featuring Joseph Lusungu on trumpet and Mnenge Ramadhani on saxophone, who both played vital roles in shaping the band’s sound. During the 1960s and 1970s, Tanzanian jazz bands like NUTA Jazz were......

GRAND KALLE: THE FATHER OF CONGOLESE RUMBA

January 18, 2025 - 12:00 PM 'Mongongo kitoko, tokozua yango lisusu wapi?' This is Tabuley in his song, In Memoriam, in which he collaborated with another titan, Franco. In the song, he is extolling the greatness of Grand Kalle, wondering aloud where the music world can find such a melodious voice, now that the musician is no more. Tabuley himself was considered one of the greatest voices of Rumba Congolaise. For him to declare that someone is as great means that person was exceptionally good. American jazz musician Yves François, who heads a group known as Rocambu (whose name was largely inspired by the Congolese studio ensemble of the late 1950s, Rock A Mambo), also once stated that of all singers of the......

Dr. NICO THE GUITAR SUPREMO OF AFRICAN MUSIC

January 18, 2025 - 09:27 AM 'In the earlier days of my career, I really strived to play like Dr. Nico' Pierre Mandjeku Lengo, also known as Dizzy Mandjeku, is an ace soloist who played with Conga 68, Orchestra Veve, Orchestra Bella Bella, Orchestra Kossa Kossa, Afrisa International, African All Stars, and OK Jazz among other bands. 'I emulated Dr Nico's style and that of Guvano, in the nascent days of my career, before eventually developing my own style.' Dizzy narrated to Jabulani. Also known as 'Dieu De La Guitare' or 'the god of the guitar', Nico played a monumental role in pushing the electric guitar to occupy the central position in rumba Congolaise, essentially creating a drift from the Cuban rumba,......

THE HIDDEN VOCAL GEM

January 16, 2025 - 12:00 PM THE HIDDEN VOCAL GEM Wuta Mayi(from the water) was with TP OK JAZZ in the 1970s before leaving to join Syran Mbenza, Nyboma Mwandido, and Bopol Mansiamina to form the Four stars/4 etoiles in 1982. Sometimes I feel they had a side band known as KASS KASS fronted by the late Jean Pappy Ramazani and the late Passi Jo, anyway the late Bopol Mansiamina used to play solo, rhythm, and bass. The guy was gifted, just like the late Nene Tchakou who used to play solo and rhythm guitar. I learned yesterday that after independence in 1960/61 somehow the Musicians from Congo Brazzaville opted to go back home, Franco had no vocalists since he used to play the solo guitar in the background, that's......

MAMA MIA LYRICS BY JOSE CHAMELEONE

January 15, 2025 - 06:56 PM Intro Hé, hé, hé Oli, oli, oh verse Tumezaa na wewe watoto wanane Sasa waniwacha Unasema umechoka na mimi masikini Sasa wanitupa Niende wapi? Na nifanye nini? Watoto wanalia huko nyumbani Lakini hizo mambo ni za duniani Ume weka raha mbele, wewe uni oni, Njoki chorus Mbona umeniacha Umeniachia watoto Mpaka wanalia huko nyumbani, Njoki Mbona umenitupa Kama na figure yako Ndiyo kama ya chupa, Njoki wewe verse Mimi ndiyo mpenzi Usitupe eti mimi sina mali Tafadhali hao wa mapenzi, wako na pesa Alafu hawana mapenzi Hiyo ni kweli, Chameleone......

LETHAL GUITAR FORMATIONS IN AFRICAN MUSIC

January 15, 2025 - 06:45 PM These are just but a few of the guitar formations that have rocked the rumba world Which one is your favorite? Bavon with Bholen (Negro) Nico with Dechaud (Fiesta Sukisa) Franco with Simaro ( OKJ-60s) Franco with Gege ( OKJ-70s and 80s) Ngereza with Omari (Les Wanyika) Dizzy with Lokassa ( African Stars) Roxy with Pierre (Veve) Lusuama with Vata (Lupua Lipua) Michelino with Lokassa (Afrisa) Guvano with Bokassa (Fiesta National) Bwamy with Siama (Viva Makale) Diblo with Kazidona (Loketo) Dino with Makondele (Afrisa) Dally with Lokassa (Soukouss) Kifoto with Oguro (Maroon) Damoisseau with Casino (African Jazz) Dino with Maika (Afrisa) Johnny with Pierre (Conga......

Zaiko Langa Langa

January 15, 2025 - 04:55 AM Today we take our spades and dig into the rich Biography of Zaiko Langa Langa. This is an Innovative Congolese rumba band, formed in 1970. Its most prolific members included:Michel Anto "Evoloko" (born Kinshasa, May 20, 1954; vocal), Matima Kinuani (born Sona Bata, Congo-Kinshasa, Apr. 14, 1951; died Liege, Belgium, May 29, 1996; guitar), Félix Manuwaku Waku (born Kinshasa, Aug. 19, 1954; guitar), Siméon Mavuela Somo (born Congo-Kinshasa; vocal), Meridjo Belobi (born Congo-Kinshasa; traps), D.V. Moanda (born Congo-Kinshasa, 1947; died Kinshasa, Jan. 9, 1984; founder), Muaka Mbeka "Bapius" (born Boma, Congo-Kinshasa, Feb. 27, 1951; bass), Nyoka Longo "Jossart" (born......

PEPE: THE LITERAL AND FIGURATIVE GIANT OF AFRICAN MUSIC

January 14, 2025 - 05:45 PM PEPE: THE LITERAL AND FIGURATIVE GIANT OF AFRICAN MUSIC. The year is 1991, and Pepe Kalle is visiting Tanzania. He has a scheduled show in Arusha, and the team is traveling around Arusha in a taxi, marveling at the picturesque aura of the town situated at the foot of an inactive volcanic Mt. Meru, a town known for its vibrant nightlife. An enchanted passenger is engaged in a hearty banter about the town, a conversation that happens in Lingala. The driver is female, in itself a rare occurrence, but that's not all. There is something more about her. Ordinarily, Tanzanians don't speak Lingala, although the reverse is true: most Congolese speak Swahili, especially those from Eastern Congo, as......

SHIDA ZA DUNIA LYRICS

January 13, 2025 - 04:07 PM Rafiki yangu alikuja nyumbani,Kunielezea shida Fulani,Ati alifukuzwa kazini na hajui atafanya nini,Mke wake amemutoroka,Rafiki zake wanamcheka,Shida amepata nyingi amechoka,Dunia anajuta.Acha kulia, shida za dunia,Hebu tulia mungu anakujali pia,Acha kulia, shida za dunia,Hebu tulia mungu anakujali pia,Maisha mwendo ni pole,Ukipata shida leo usikonde,Wengi wako kama wewe usijali,Acha kulia ni Maisha makali,Tazama kwanza uone kesho,Usikonde uwape kichekesho,Maisha itakuwa na matatizo,Uombe mungu, atakupa uwezo,Acha kulia, shida za dunia,Hebu tulia mungu anakujali piaAcha kulia, shida za dunia,Hebu tulia mungu anakujali pia,Hizo shida usifikirie uko nazo pekee yako,Labda mungu anakuletea......

CHAMELEONE DOWN, BUT NOT OUT!

January 11, 2025 - 06:53 AM Ugandan musician Joseph Mayanja, known by his stage name Jose Chameleone, was flown to the USA last week for further treatment. He had been rushed to the hospital in critical condition. The musical sensation, with over 13 albums in a career spanning two decades, had been diagnosed with chronic pancreatitis, a condition often caused by excessive alcoholism. His health has deteriorated significantly in recent months. Guests, including the country's president Yoweri Museveni, fellow musicians, and celebrities, had been visiting the Kampala hospital to express their solidarity with the ailing icon. The state catered for his flight abroad, recognizing his monumental status in the......