Papa Noël Nedule Explained

Papa Noël Nedule (29 December 1940 – 11 November 2024) was a soukous recording artist and guitarist in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

Biography

Nedule was born as Antoine Nedule Monswet on 29 December 1940.^[1] Although for many years it was assumed he became known as "Papa Noël" because of his Christmas birthdate, his day of birth was later corrected to the 29th by his wife Dadie.^[2]

He was once a member of the soukous band TPOK Jazz, led by François Luambo Makiadi, which dominated the Congolese music scene from the 1950s through the 1980s.^[3]

Nedule was an original member and leader of the band Kékélé when it was founded in 2000, although illness prevented him from joining the band in some of its later recording sessions and tours.^[4]

Nedule died in France on 11 November 2024, at the age of 83.

Discography

• Put It Down (2024)
• New Look (2021, Halle Rock)
• Café Noir (2007, Tumi/ Nocturne)
• Bana Congo avec Papi Oviedo (2002, Tumi)
• Mosala Makasi avec Adan Pedroso (2001, Yard High)
• Bel Ami (2000, Sterns)
• Haute Tension (1994)
• Ya Nono (1988, Rythmes et Musique)
• Allegria (1986, Vilnair)
• Bon Samaritain (1984, I.A.D.)
• Tangawusi (1982)

Contributing artist

• The Rough Guide to Congo Gold (2008, World Music Network)

See also

• Josky Kiambukuta
• Simaro Lutumba
• Youlou Mabiala
• Sam Mangwana
• Wuta Mayi
• Ndombe Opetum
• Mose Se Sengo - "Fan Fan"
• List of African musicians

External links

• Overview of Composition of TPOK Jazz
• Compilation of stories about Papa Noel, mostly reviews of Cafe Noir
• December 2009 bio by Clément Ossinode (in French)
• 2017 article by Samuel Malonga on his Orchestre Bamboula (in French), with useful comments

Notes and References

1. Web site: Papa Noel . African Musicians Profiles . 23 November 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20191023193423/http://www.africanmusiciansprofiles.com:80/papanoel.htm . 23 October 2019 . dead.
2. Web site: 1 December 2024 . Papa Noël obituary . 3 December 2024 . The Guardian . en.
3. http://kenyapage.net/franco/70s2.html Papa Noël Nedule Joined TPOK Jazz In The Late 1970s
4. Web site: Bessem. F.J.. Kékélé. Frank Bessem's Musiques d'Afrique. 9 August 2017.