Nyboma off to Kisumu as Ferre Gola arrives for city’s Congo festival

All roads lead to the lakeside town of Kisumu for a rhumba show featuring veteran Congolese singer Nyboma Mwandido Saturday Night at the Tom Mboya Labour College.

On Tuesday, Nyboma, who is in the country at the invitation of Cotu secretary-general Francis Atwoli, was among the various groups that entertained fans during the Labour Day celebrations at Uhuru Park, Nairobi, where he treated the crowd with two of his favourite songs Nina and Double Double.

His band, which featured impressive back-up singers and nimble loketo female dancers, was a crowd puller.

It was the same day that Nairobi also hosted the Safaricom Jazz Festival, featuring Cameroonian jazz legend  Manu Dibango at the Carnivore Restaurant.

Nyboma last performed in Kisumu 30 years ago, when he was part of the soukous Four Stars band. Speaking to the Saturday Nation earlier this week, Nyboma said he was excited to be returning to Kisumu today. Entrance fee for the show is Sh2,000 per head.

“I am aware of how much Lingala music is loved in Kisumu and I will be here to ensure that my fans get the best,” he said.

LIMITED TIME

Unlike in Nairobi, when Nyboma had limited time, in Kisumu he is expected to play more tracks from his huge repertoire, ranging from his days with Orch Lipua Lipua, Orch Les Kamale and the Four Stars band.

He will fly out to Paris Sunday evening, where he will perform in a show dedicated to former TP OK Jazz singer Josky Kiambukuta Londa next Saturday.

According to Jimmy Mukelenge, a Paris-based producer organising the concert, it will be an opportunity for Josky’s fans to be taken through his musical journey from his days with African Fiesta Sukisa, Continental Band, TP OK Jazz and Bana OK.

The fellow stars expected to honour Josky are Malage Du Lugendo, Shakembo, Endo, Nyboma, Lokombe, Dizzy Mandjeku, Elba Top and Flavian Makabi. Most of them were with him in the TP OK Jazz Band, the huge Congolese ensemble that was founded and led for three decades by Franco Luambo Makiadi, who died in 1989.

Josky has been keeping a low profile due to illness, having suffered a mild stroke several months ago.

Meanwhile, for the rhumba fans in  Nairobi, more action is lined up with the scheduled arrival of a younger Congolese superstar, Ferre Gola, and his 16-member back-up group on Tuesday night.

MAIN ACT

Ferre will be the main act during the Congolese Cultural Night to be held at the Carnivore Restaurant. 

The event, organised  by the Federation of Congolese Abroad  (FCA) in Nairobi, will have an additional show next Saturday at the Deep West Resort Club, also in Nairobi.

According to an FCA representative, Ms Nadine Angembe, Ferre will be accompanied by his manager, Mpolo Makunda Blaise. Nadine travelled to Kinshasa in March to have Ferre sign the performance contract of behalf of FCA president Jean Paul Illunga.

“We will have a good sound system this time,” Nadine said.

Ferre’s previous tours have been marred by poor sound systems. He is arguably one of the best singers in the neo-generation rhumba music. His main rival in this league is flamboyant singer Fally Ipupa. Both were formerly with Koffi Olomide’s Quarter Latin International band.

Some of his popular songs, include "Vita Imana", "Panzi Likolo",  "Boite Noire", "100 Kilos", "Maboko Pamba" and the ever-popular Kamasutra.

Later this week, Ferre’s former boss in Wenge Musica, Werrason (Ngiama Makanda), will be coming to perform at the Koroga Festival at Two Rivers Mall in Nairobi on May 13.

Werrason will thrill his fans with his old and new songs, ranging from "Kalayi Boeing", "Solola Bien", "Techno Malewa" and "Kizengi".