kids encyclopedia robot

Sam Mangwana facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Quick facts for kids
Sam Mangwana
Born (1945-02-21) 21 February 1945 (age 80)
Leopoldville, Belgian Congo
(present-day Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo)
Genres Congolese rumba
Occupation(s) Recording artist
Years active 1963–present
Associated acts TPOK Jazz
Festival des Maquisards
African All Stars
African Fiesta
African Fiesta National
Afrisa International

Sam Mangwana is a famous musician and songwriter from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. He was born on February 21, 1945. Sam Mangwana led his own music groups, like Festival des Maquisards and African All Stars. He also played with very important bands such as TPOK Jazz and African Fiesta.

Sam Mangwana's Early Life

Sam Mangwana was born in Leopoldville on February 21, 1945. This city is now called Kinshasa. It is the capital and largest city of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Sam's parents came from Angola, a country nearby. His father was from Zimbabwe. Sam has visited his family in Zimbabwe many times.

Starting His Music Career

Sam Mangwana began his music career in 1963. He joined a rumba band called African Fiesta. This band was led by Tabu Ley Rochereau. Later, Sam moved across the Congo River to Brazzaville. There, he started a group called Los Batchichas. He also worked with other bands like Negro Band and Orchestre Tembo.

Sam then returned to Kinshasa. He rejoined Tabu Ley's band, which was now known as African Fiesta National.

Forming New Bands

In 1967, Sam Mangwana left to create his own band. He named it Festival des Maquisards. This band had many talented musicians. Some of them were singers Dalienst and Madilu System. Guitarists Dizzy Mandjeku and Michelino also joined.

Two years later, Sam Mangwana moved on again. He recorded songs with a guitarist named Jean Paul "Guvano" Vangu. They worked together until 1972.

Joining Famous Groups

In 1972, Sam joined TPOK Jazz. This band was led by Franco. Sam often sang the main parts in songs written by OK Jazz guitarist Simaro Lutumba. His popularity grew a lot during this time. He helped create three hit songs: "Ebale ya Zaire," "Cedou," and "Mabele."

After a while, he left OK Jazz. He briefly rejoined Tabu Ley's band, which was now called Afrisa. Then he left again. This time, he moved to Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, in West Africa. In 1978, he helped form a new band called African All Stars.

Becoming a Solo Artist

The African All Stars band broke up in 1979. After that, Sam Mangwana started his career as a solo artist. He recorded music and toured with different musicians. Some of his famous albums from the 1980s include Maria Tebbo (1980) and Coopération (1982) with Franco. He also made Canta Moçambique (1983) with Mandjeku.

Because he moved between bands so often, people gave him a nickname. They called him "pigeon voyageur," which means "travelling pigeon." In the 2000s, Sam Mangwana spent most of his time in Angola. He would travel to Europe sometimes to perform concerts.

Bands Sam Mangwana Was Part Of

  • African Fiesta, 1962
  • Festival des Maquisards, 1968
  • TPOK Jazz, 1972
  • African Fiesta National
  • Afrisa International
  • African All Stars, 1978

Sam Mangwana's Music Albums

  • African All Stars: Les Champions, 1977
  • Sam Mangwana et l'African All Stars: Georgette Eckins, 1978
  • Théo-Blaise Kounkou et l'African All Stars: Zenaba (1978)
  • Sam Mangwana et l'African All Stars: International Sam Mangwana (1979)
  • Waka Waka, 1978
  • Maria Tebbo, 1979
  • Georgette Eckins, 1979
  • Matinda, 1979
  • Affaire Disco, 1981
  • Est-ce Que Tu Moyens?, 1981
  • Cooperation, 1982
  • Affaire Video, 1982
  • N'Simba Eli, 1982
  • Bonne Annee, 1983
  • In Nairobi, 1984
  • Aladji, 1987
  • For Ever, 1989
  • Lukolo, 1989
  • Capita General, 1990
  • Megamix, July 1990
  • Rumba Music, 1993
  • No Me Digas No, 1995
  • Galo Negro, 1998
  • Sam Mangwana Sings Dino Vangu, 2000
  • Volume 1 Bilinga Linga 1968/1969, June 2000
  • Volume 2 Eyebana 1980/1984, June 2000
  • Very Best of 2001, March 2001
  • Cantos de Esperanca, April 2003
  • Lubamba, 2016

Songs with TPOK Jazz

  • Lufua Lua Nkadi - Sung by Sam Mangwana, Michel Boyibanda, Josky Kiambukuta and Lola Checain in 1972.
  • Luka Mobali Moko - Sung by Sam Mangwana, Josky Kiambukuta, Michèl Boyibanda and Lola Chécain, in 1974.

Other Contributions

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

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Sam Mangwana para niños

kids search engine
Sam Mangwana Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.