BB 69-CLAN AFRICAN JAZZ/MBANDA AKOTI KIKUMBI,ILLUSSE-TP OK JAZZ/MBADI MAWE-MADILU SYSTEM ENGLISH

Dr Nico, aka Nicholas Kasanda, died on September 22nd 1985

He was is among the second generation Congolese musicians, who included Grand Kale of African Jazz and Maitre Franco of OK Jazz

Dr Nico started his career as a backup singer at Opika, a record label which was established in Leopoldville (today Kinshasa) in 1950

His elder brother, Charles Dechaud Mwamba, whom he latter played with in all bands he featured for, taught him the guitar and soon he was good enough to play for African Jazz, the band which evolved in that studio in the early 50s

With the took part in the most significant musical tour, in the history of DRC, the round table conference in Brussels, in 1960, the same which negotiated the country's independence

Nico's mastery of the guitar is legendary. Although there is no "guitarmeter", to scientifically establish, beyond any reasonable doubts, who was the greatest ever, there is consensus among pundits, purists and musicians that indeed, Nico was good at it, and maybe the best ever

This position is only contested by those who are yet to explore the depth of Nico's talent by sampling hundreds of his work

Nico played with Afrucan Jazz and left in 1963, the year of the big bang, which saw jointly with Tabuley and others, created African Fiesta which only stayed alive for three years, when the group underwent another split

This time, he created African Fiesta Sukisa. It is with this band that he hit his peak. African Fiesta Sukisa remained a top band from it's creation in 1966, into the early 1970s

He teamed up with other great talents, like Chntal Kazadi, one of the greatest all time vocalists, who was executed under mysterious circumstances in 1969. He also teamed up with other great singers, Kwamy Munsi OKJ's prodigal son, who went back to OKJ after a stint in Ochestre Revolution

Others were his brother Charles Mwamba, who played most rhythm guitar, and the two siblings were great on stage. Mwanga has the sweetest rhythm you can get anywhere in Congolese music

He also sang with Josky who was to later star with OKJ, Lassa Lassan, who later relocated to Kenya, where he was nicknamed Sauti Ya Simba

Others are trumpeter Jeff Mingeidi, singers Sangana, bassist Lomingo Zoro, and many many more

This is just but a patch up, those keen in digging deep about this legend can hook up with Alastair Johnston who has authored his (Dr Nico's) biography and discography

You can also get in depth information about him and other top musicians from http://www.muzikifan.com