Simaro Lutumba Explained

Lutumba Simaro Masiya
Background:solo_singer
Birth Name:Simon Lutumba Ndomanueo
Alias:Lutumba Simaro Masiya
Birth Date:19 March 1938
Birth Place:Léopoldville, Belgian Congo (now Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo)
Death Place:Paris, France
Instrument:Rhythm guitar
Genre:Congo music
Occupation:composer, arranger, producer, guitarist
Years Active:19592018
Past Member Of:TPOK Jazz
Bana OK

Simaro Massiya Lutumba Ndomanueno (19 March 1938 – 30 March 2019), known as Simaro, was a Congolese music rhythm guitarist, songwriter, poet, composer, and bandleader.[1] [2] He was a member of the seminal Congo music band TPOK Jazz, which dominated the music scene in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) from the 1960s to the 1980s.[3]

Early life

Simaro was born in Uíge Province, Angola.

Music career with OK Jazz

Simaro started playing with Franco Luambo, the founder of OK Jazz, in 1961. They were later joined by Josky Kiambukuta and Ndombe Opetum. Youlou Mabiala and Madilu System also played with OK Jazz, before their solo careers. Simaro served as Vice President of the band for many years and led the group during Franco's long trips to Europe during the 1980s. His composition of the band's hit song 'Mabele' earned him the nickname 'Poet'. DRC authorities jailed him, Franco and other musicians, for two obscene songs in the late 1970s. Simaro is considered as one of the greatest poets, singers and philosophers of Congolese music.[4]

Discography

Simaro is credited with composing many songs for the band, including:

Music career post OKJazz

Following Franco's death in 1989, Simaro agreed to continue the band, sharing 30% of revenue with the late band leader's family. In 1993 OKJazz split over disagreements how funds were shared. Simaro and 30 OKJazz musicians formed Bana OK in 1994.[5]

Death

Simaro Massiya Lutumba died in a hospital in Paris, France, on Saturday 30 March 2019. The musician was known to suffer from diabetes and hypertension.[6]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: web home of the book Rumba on the River . Simaro . Gary Stewart.
  2. Web site: Diop . Jeannot Ne Nzau . 22 March 2008 . Congo-Kinshasa: 19 mars 1938 - 19 mars 2008 . Congo-Kinshasa: March 19, 1938 - March 19, 2008 . 27 July 2024 . Lepotentiel.cd . fr . Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo.
  3. Web site: 22 March 2013 . Congo-Kinshasa: Le poète Lutumba, patrimoine de la musique congolaise moderne! . Congo-Kinshasa: The poet Lutumba, heritage of modern Congolese music! . 28 July 2024 . La Prospérité . fr . Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo.
  4. Web site: Former TP OK Jazz star, Simaro, in 'stable' condition . . 31 October 2014 . 30 March 2019 . Amos . Ngaira . Nairobi.
  5. Web site: Interview: Lutumba Simaro, 2002. World Music Productions . Banning Eyre . Banning Eyre . 2002 . dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20110921090553/http://www.afropop.org/multi/interview/ID/28/Lutumba+Simaro,+2002. 2011-09-21.
  6. Web site: Congolese Musician Simaro Massiya Lutumba Dies In Paris . . 30 March 2019 . 30 March 2019 . Amos . Ngaira . Nairobi.