In Memory - Dr. Nico Wa Kasanda

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@Lionheart
@Yugni
@Yuletapeli

Nicolas Kasanda wa Mikalay (7 July 1939 – 22 September 1985), popularly known as Docteur Nico , was a Congolese guitarist and composer.

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One of the pioneers of Congolese music , he graduated in 1957 as a technical teacher, but inspired by his musical family , he took up the guitar and in time became a virtuoso soloist.

At the age of 14 , Nicholas Kasanda started playing with the group Grand Kalle et l’African Jazz , led by Joseph “Grand Kalle” Kabasele (RIP).

He became an influential guitarist and the originator of the ubiquitous Congolese finger-picked guitar style, acquiring the nickname “Dr. Nico”.

“Bougie Ya Motema” - Dr. Nico Wa Kasanda.

African Jazz split up in 1963 when he and singer Tabu Ley Rochereau left to form L’Orchestra African Fiesta , which soon became one of the most popular bands in Africa.

In 1970 Kasanda wrote an arrangement of the Luba folk song Kamulangu, recorded it with his band , Orchestre African Fiesta Sukisa , and released it to much success in Kinshasa.

He withdrew from the music scene in the mid-1970s following the collapse of his Belgian record label , making a few final recordings in Togo and working live with Zairean singer Abeti Masikini , before he fell ill and died in a hospital in Brussels , Belgium in 1985.

Rest in Eternal Peace , Dr. Nicholas Kasanda Wa Mikalay +++ :sad_but_relieved_face::folded_hands::candle::sparkles:

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“Kiri Kiri Mabina Ya Sika” - Dr. Nico Wa Kasanda.

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“Asalaam Aleikum” - Dr. Nico Wa Kasanda.

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Wow, so this man was the originator of what I call the “Tabu Ley flavour”, that distinctive nostalgic instrumental ring Tabu Ley’s songs have. They get it from the lead guitar. Unmistakably great and unforgettable. That was sheer talent.

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“African Fiesta Sukisa” was made up of :-

  • Grand Kale : Vocals.
  • Tabu Ley Rocherou : Vocals.
  • Dr Nico Wa Kasanda : Lead Guitar / Vocals.

It was an amazing line up of sheer talent.
Dr. Nico on Lead Guitar and that amazing Bass Guitar were the icing on the Cake..!!:blush::fire::+1:t4::sparkles:

“Tu Mas Decu Chouchou” - Dr. Nico Wa Kasanda.
(..play this song on a good System on medium volume for the full effect..!!:blush::fire:)

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Amazing. I first heard this song from a collection by Nayanka Bell, the Ivorian songbird. I didn’t know who did it first, and it’s beautiful, but her style is different: more danceable, faster and lighter, and it was part of a medley–Amio.

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A little history …

L’Orchestra African Fiesta, often known simply as African Fiesta, was a Congolese rumba band started by Tabu Ley Rochereau Dr. Nico Wa Kasanda in 1963.

Tabu Ley Rochereau , Dr. Nico Wa Kasanda and Grand Kalle were originally members of the seminal band , Grand Kalle et l’African Jazz.

They left African Jazz and started their own group , African Fiesta, with which they helped elevate the genre of African rumba into the genre now known as Soukous.

Artistic tension between Tabu Ley Rochereau and Dr. Nico led to a split in 1965 , with Tabu Ley Rochereau renaming the band African Fiesta National and Dr. Nico forming African Fiesta Sukisa.

Dr. Nico Wa Kasanda withdrew from the music scene in the mid-1970s.

Tabu Ley Rochereau and African Fiesta National continued to dominate the Congolese musical scene. By 1970, their records routinely sold in the millions.

In 1970, Tabu Ley Rochereau formed Orchestre Afrisa International, Afrisa being a combination of Africa and Éditions Isa, his Record label.

This was actually among the first songs that I heard of this amazing Band.
My Late Uncle Martin (RIP) was a hard core Fan of the Band.. :face_holding_back_tears: :folded_hands: :candle:

“Kele Ya Nini” - Dr. Nico Wa Kasanda

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Man, that’s a very long history. I’ve never heard many of these songs, but obviously, they were painstakingly composed and beautifully performed

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