Sam Mangwana facts for kids

Sam Mangwana was born on February 21, 1945. He is a famous musician from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. His parents were from Angola. Sam Mangwana was the main singer for his bands, Festival des Maquisards and African All Stars. He also sang with other important bands like TPOK Jazz and Afrisa International.

Sam Mangwana's Music Journey

Sam Mangwana was born in 1945 in a city called Leopoldville. This city is now known as Kinshasa. It is the capital and largest city of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. His parents came from the country next door, Angola. His father was also from Zimbabwe. Sam Mangwana has visited his family in Zimbabwe many times.

Sam Mangwana started his music career in 1963. He joined a rumba band called African Fiesta. This band was led by Tabu Ley Rochereau. Later, Mangwana moved to Brazzaville. There, he started a band called Los Batchichas. He also worked with other groups like Negro Band. After a while, he went back to Kinshasa. He rejoined Tabu Ley's band, which was then called African Fiesta National.

In 1967, Mangwana decided to form his own band. He named it Festival des Maquisards. This band had many talented singers and musicians. Some of them were Dalienst, Madilu System, and Dizzy Mandjeku. Two years later, Sam Mangwana moved on again. He recorded songs with a guitarist named Jean Paul "Guvano" Vangu until 1972.

In 1972, he joined the famous band TPOK Jazz. This band was led by Franco. Sam Mangwana often sang the main parts in songs written by the band's guitarist, Simaro Lutumba. He became very popular during this time. He helped create three hit songs: "Ebale ya Zaire", "Cedou", and "Mabele". After that, he left TPOK Jazz. He briefly rejoined Tabu Ley's band, which was now called Afrisa. Then he left again and moved to Abidjan, in Côte d'Ivoire. In 1978, he helped start a new band called African All Stars.

When the African All Stars band broke up in 1979, Sam Mangwana started his solo career. He recorded music and performed with different musicians. Some of his famous albums from the 1980s include Maria Tebbo (1980) and Coopération (1982) with Franco. He also made albums with saxophonist Empompo Loway.

Because he moved between bands so often, people started calling him "pigeon voyageur." This means "travelling pigeon" in French. In the 2000s, Mangwana spent most of his time in Angola. He would travel to Europe sometimes to perform concerts.

Bands Sam Mangwana Joined

Sam Mangwana was a member of several important bands:

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

Sam Mangwana's Albums

Here are some of the albums Sam Mangwana has released:

• 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

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.

Contributing Artist

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

See also

In Spanish: Sam Mangwana para niños

• Ndombe Opetum
• Josky Kiambukuta
• Lola Checain
• Michel Boyibanda
• Wuta Mayi
• Bopol Mansiamina