| Kanda Bongo Man comes to town |
|  | | The Kanda Bongo man and his ten piece band will be bringing exotic guitar music to St.Johns Hall in Penzance.
Known as soukous, the origins of the music are a fusion of Afro-cuban rhumba beats, African percussion and guitar. |
|  | African Music
Kanda Bongo Man
African Dance Agency
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+Kanda Bongo Man was born in Zaire in 1955.
+ Grew up in the new wave of Urban pop music.
+Moved to Paris in 1979.
+Formed his own 'Bongo Man' record label in 1984.
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| | Kanda was born in Zaire in 1955. He moved to Paris in 1979 - which was at the time becoming the international business center for African Pop - where he has since settled.
He formed his own 'Bongo Man' record label in 1984 and released several mini-albums with Diblo Dibala - a master guitarist. These albums are viewed as classic soukous music.
...you're responding to the presence of the audience, they're giving you that power.
 | | Kanda Bongo Man |
The origins of the music are a blend of Cuban rhumba beats, reinforced with supple African percussion and sparkling guitar work. A dance-happy, guitar-driven synthesis of traditional Zairean and Afro-Cuban rhythms.
He has since released a number of albums including, Zing Zong which 'contains roots music re-worked into an exuberant high density mix that is nothing less than superior quality dance music.' (Folk Roots)
His performance at St.Johns Hall in Penzance sounds like one not to be missed. Kanda is a live performer and prefers the buzz of the stage and audience to the buzz of the studio.
Kanda Says: "Playing live is better because you have direct contact with the public...you're responding to the presence of the audience, they're giving you that power."
"Soukous music seems to grab people around the waist, hurl them mercilessly aound the dancefloor and unleash an irresistable urge to dance to exhaustion. People who normally dance as though their movements are being governed by a puppeteer with hiccups suddenly acquire the rhythmic precision of Michael Jackson." (Folk Roots)
Kanda Bongo Man
Sat 9th February 8:30
St Johns Hall, Penzance.
Contact the Rainyday Gallery for tickets - £11 in advance or £12 on the door on:01736 366077 |
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