All set for Congolese guitarist Nene Tchakou’s 1st death anniversary
Congolese guitarist Nene Mandosi Mbedi Tchakou.
Music fans and counterparts of legendary Congolese guitarist Nene Mandosi Mbedi Tchakou will next Saturday mark the first anniversary of his death.
Nene who died on January 28 last year was buried in California, Los Angeles, USA where he died after a long illness.
Speaking to Saturday Nation yesterday, his widow Banda Tulanda Hellen said she was liaising with some of his former counterparts like singer Shimita El Diego and drummer Parigo Asuka for the memorial.
She noted that they intend to lay wreaths at his graveside at the Oakwood Memorial Park in California.
Later in the evening, there will be a gathering at his home in California. Notably, no show has been organised on that day.
“As a family, we invite his fans and members of the Congolese community in Southern California to join us in remembering him at our home,” she said.
Nene had been kept off-stage due to ill health following a mild stroke he had suffered several years earlier.
His fans fondly remember his guitar prowess, especially with the legendary Paris- based Soukous Stars band. Others in the Soukous band included guitarist Lokassa Ya Mbongo, Ngouma Lokito, Dally Kimoko, singers Balou Canta, Shimita, Zitanny Neil and Yondo Sister.
Nene who was born in Banana, Bas-Congo in DR Congo, moved to Lingwala with his father, who was a soldier.
His debut group was with the Bella Negritagroup before joining Kanako Shiprike Bango of Tonton Butche.
But his first major group to perform in Kinshasa was the Minzoto Wella Wella band. He later joined Orch Langa Langa Stars then Grand Zaiko led by veteran solo guitarist Pepe Fally Manuaku.
In Kenya, some of his fans recall 1991 when he was among the artistes who backed London- based Congolese musician Kanda Bongoman during the memorable concert at Nairobi’s Nyayo National Stadium. Some of
Nenés best solo guitar backings include Kanda Bongoman’s Ïsambe, Allain Konkou’s Ändolo alongside many other tracks.
It was a double tragedy for his fans last year as his death came barely a month after that of his counterpart, General Defao Matumona, who died in Cameroon in December 2021.
Meanwhile, London-based Fiston Lusambo is currently in Nairobi on a music production tour. Speaking to Saturday Nation yesterday Fiston said he was working with veteran Kenyan producer Tabu Osusa and his Ketebul Music production studios.
“We have lined up a series of productions featuring both Kenyan and Congolese artistes,” Fiston said.
Elsewhere the Ghetto Classics Dance Concert will be held tomorrow
at the St John’s Community Centre at Korogocho. The event starts at 3 pm.
For Rhumba fans in Mombasa, Ricky Mulolo and the Idologia Musica Band perform every Friday during the Rhumba ya Wazito show at the Standard Grill at Mtwapa in Kilifi County.
