African Jazz

L'African Jazz
Type	Orchestre / band
Origin	Léopoldville (Kinshasa), Belgian Congo
Active	1953–1963
Founder	Joseph Kabasele
Genres	Congolese rumba

L'African Jazz was founded in 1953 by Joseph Kabasele ("Le Grand Kallé") and is widely regarded as the first modern Congolese band. It served as the launchpad for a generation of stars — among them the guitarist Dr Nico, the singer Tabu Ley Rochereau and the saxophonist Manu Dibango — and recorded the pan-African independence anthem "Indépendance Cha Cha" in 1960.

Members

Member	Roles	Instruments
Déchaud Mwamba	Rhythm guitarist	Guitar
Dr Nico	Guitarist • Composer	Guitar
Joseph Kabasele	Bandleader • Singer • Composer	Vocals
Roger Izeidi	Percussionist • Singer • Producer	Maracas • Vocals
Tabu Ley Rochereau	Bandleader • Singer • Composer	Vocals

Discography

Album	Year	Label
Indépendance Cha Cha	1,960	Surboum African Jazz
Table Ronde	1,960	Surboum African Jazz
African Jazz Mokili Mobimba	1,966	Surboum African Jazz