‘Papa Lolo’ composer’s Easter date with Kenyans
What you need to know:
Fan Fan first made a name for himself in the 1960s and 1970s as a member of Franco’s TPOK Jazz. He first hit the limelight in Kinshasa with his song Dje Melasi.
Speaking to Saturday Nation recently from the UK, Fan Fan said he will be backed up by soloist Fiston Lusambo, kongas player Saidi Kanda, guitarist Ladi Mbala and drummer Milba.
Veteran Congolese rumba star Mose Fan Fan has an Easter date with his Kenyan fans in Nairobi and Kisumu.
Fan Fan (real name Mose Se Sengo), whose the song "Papa Lolo" has been trending on the social media for a while, promises a great treat during the concerts.
His first show will be at Deep West Resort, off Langata Road in Nairobi on Friday, March 24. The next show will be at the Buccaneers Club in Kisumu on March 26.
His final show will be at Egesa East Villa in Nairobi’s Umoja Estate on March 27.
Fan Fan, who is based in Britain, will be accompanied by another rumba great Nzaya Nzayadio, of the Orchestre Lipua Lipua fame, in his tour of Kenya.
Fan Fan first made a name for himself in the 1960s and 1970s as a member of Franco’s TPOK Jazz. He first hit the limelight in Kinshasa with his song "Dje Melasi".
Speaking to Saturday Nation recently from the UK, Fan Fan said he will be backed up by soloist Fiston Lusambo, kongas player Saidi Kanda, guitarist Ladi Mbala and drummer Milba.
“We intend to give our fans the best of both our new and old songs,” he said.
In the UK, the Congolese guitar wizard leads the Session Somo Somo Band, an offshoot of the original TP Somo Somo that he formed after leaving Luambo OK Jazz in 1973.
Fan Fan is one the few guitarists who were able to adopt Franco’s unique guitar playing style. Franco had a knack for nurturing talent and allowed his protégés such as Fan Fan to learn, flourish and strike out on their own.
During the forthcoming tour, Fan Fan will perform a rich repertoire of songs, ranging from TPOK Jazz oldies, Orchestre Makassy’s compositions and a few from the Orchestra Lipua Lipua discography.
The tour, which is being organised by retired Kenyan athlete Rose Tata Muya of the Rotamu International Promotions, will also double as a charity function to raise funds for child support groups in Tata Muya’s native Elgeyo Marakwet County.
She said the child help event will be held on April 9 after the Papa Lolo shows.
“This year, we are honoured to have Mose Fan Fan as the main performer during our charity’s eve,” Ms Muya said.
