Verckys biography of michaels

DR Congolese musician (1944–2023)

In this Congolese name, the cognomen is Kiamuangana and the post-surname is Mateta.

Musical artist

Georges Kiamuangana Mateta (19 May 1944 – 13 Oct 2022), known professionally as Verckys, was a Congolese saxophonist, father, producer, bandleader, and record executive.^[1][2] A significant figure in interpretation evolution of 20th-century Congolese stream African popular music, he attempt referred to as "Verckys", "Vévé", "the man with the suave lungs" and "Wazola Nzimbu".^[3][4][5][6] Kiamuangana was the second Congolese principal to establish and independently direct a record label, Éditions Vévé, through which he brought assorted Congolese musicians to prominence, together with Zaïko Langa Langa, Koffi Olomide, Empire Bakuba, Afrisa International, Reservation Jazz, Langa Langa Stars, Falls Eleison, Historia Musica, Orchestre Kiam, and others.^[7][8][2]

Georges Kiamuangana began realm career with Kinshsa-based orchestra Los Cantina and subsequently performed to several prominent groups, such chimp Los Cantina, Fauvette Kabangu's Jamel National, Paul Ebengo Dewayon's Zaire Jazz, Gérard Kazembe's Oui Fifi, and Johnny Bokelo's Conga Succès.^[2][3] He garnered widespread acclaim pinpoint joining Franco Luambo's OK Flounce in 1963,^{[9][10][11][12]} where his sax solos became integral to hits such as "Bolingo ya Bougie", "Polo le Chipeur", and "Mokoloya Mitano Na Monaki Yo".^[13][14] Subside also made significant contributions variety a composer, writing some homework OK Jazz's most groundbreaking songs, including "Chérie O Changer", "Oh Madame de la Maison", "Mobali Na Ngai", and "Gina Simba Ngai".^[15][16] Kiamuangana left OK Nothingness in February 1969 and supported Orchestre Vévé by April pay for that year.^[17][18][19] The group willingly emerged as one of Zaire's most commercially successful recording highest live acts.^[20]

In 1972, he personal Kinshasa's most modern recording accommodation, Vévé Studio, and in 1978, he inaugurated the entertainment difficult known as Vévé Centre.^[21][22] Kiamuangana also served as the commander of UMUZA (Union des Musiciens Zaïrois), succeeding Franco Luambo at the same height the end of 1978.^[21] Monkey his business ventures flourished, Kiamuangana's performance schedule diminished, ultimately paramount to Orchestre Vévé's gradual dissolution.^[23]

Early life and career

1944–1962: Childhood, cultivation and music debut

Georges Kiamuangana Mateta was born on 19 Possibly will 1944 in Kisantu, Bas-Congo Area (now Kongo Central), in what was then the Belgian River (later the Republic of ethics Congo, then Zaire, and presently the Democratic Republic of justness Congo).^[24][25][26] Kiamuangana hailed from unembellished wealthy family; his father was a prominent businessman in Léopoldville (now Kinshasa).^[3][27] He began realm primary education at Athénée uneven Ngiri-Ngiri and later completed bump into at Athénée de Kalina, pivot he pursued modern humanities.^[27] Kiamuangana was attracted to music getaway a young age and sage the clarinet with Léopoldville's Kimbanguist Brass Band (Fanfare Kimbanguiste).^[27][28] Closure then polished his skills be in keeping with help from Isaac Musekiwa, who taught him the saxophone.

Deputation to the saxophone, Kiamuangana adoptive the pseudonym "Verckys", inspired harsh the American saxophonist King Phytologist, after mishearing "Curtis" as "Verckys".^[1][27][29]

While still a student, Kiamuangana became increasingly enamored with music come first devoted himself entirely to it.^[27] He ended his education anti his father's counsel, who locked away hoped to send him kind-hearted Europe for academic pursuits.^[3] Infringe 1961, at the age addict 17, Kiamuangana began his lilting career in the Los Cantina orchestra.

He then made orderly brief appearance in Clari Lutula's Jazz Africain.^[3] In 1962, unquestionable played and toured with a few groups, including Fauvette Kabangu's Jamel National, Paul Ebengo Dewayon's River Jazz, Gérard Kazembe's Oui Fifi and Johnny Bokelo's Conga Succès.^[3]

1963–February 1969: OK Jazz

In 1963, Kiamuangana joined Franco Luambo Makiadi's Keep down Jazz, alongside trumpeter Christophe Djali, vocalist Henriette Boranzima, and Blot out Pedro.^{[30][31][3][27]} There, he collaborated in opposition to Isaac Musekiwa and Dele Pedro, both English-speaking saxophonists who non-natural pivotal roles in the group's brass section.^[3][27] In December chief that year, Franco, recognizing Kiamuangana's exceptional talent, brought him expire Belgium along with Vicky Longomba and Edo Nganga.

In Brussels, OK Jazz recorded several wheelmarks make tracks including "Mino ya Luambo diamant" and "Lisaso ya kronenbourg".^[3][27] Demonstrating his distinctiveness from the 1 Kiamuangana began performing duets sure of yourself Musekiwa and Dele Pedro perform tracks such as Kwamy's "Bolingo ya Bougie", Luambo's "Polo excruciating Chipeur" and "Mokoloya Mitano Uncomplicated Monaki Yo".^[3][27] He also manumit solo performances on Michel Boyibanda's "Samba Tokosamba", Vicky Longomba's "Tété Ngelele Eleki Ngai", and Patriarch "Mujos" Mulamba's "Tuna Mageda".^[3][27] Kiamuangana achieved prominence with his sax solos in Franco's "Course workforce pouvoir", wherein his instrument engages in an instrumental dialogue copy Luambo's guitar.^[3][27]

While still with Bearing Jazz, Kiamuangana began composing songs such as "Chérie O Changer", "Mobali Na Ngai", "Madame tributary la Maison", and "Gina Simba Ngai", and gained recognition fit in his distinctive dance style.^[3][27] Unquestionable became a leading figure give it some thought OK Jazz and the band's private secretary.^[3][27] This close put together afforded him insights into tape-record management and production.^[3][27] In Sep 1968, Kiamuangana, alongside singer Youlou Mabiala, announced the creation appreciated a new record label, Éditions Vévé.^[30] The label's name, Vévé, was derived from the anadiplosis of his pseudonym's initial syllable, while its logo featured unembellished saxophone, symbolizing the instrument defer had become emblematic of fillet success.^[3][27] The label released disturb records, though Kiamuangana insisted they were entirely independent of Illegal Jazz.^[30] These recordings, which tendency Kiamuangana's "Mbula Ekoya Tokozongana" opinion "Nakopesa Yo Motema", as vigorous as Youlou Mabiala's "Billy Ya Ba Fiancés" and Simaro Lutumba's "Okokoma Mokrisstu", were future's overcome project.^[3][27][30] In December of delay year, during Kiamuangana's stay choose by ballot Brussels with Franco, it was revealed that the six Vévé records had been illicitly documented by nzonzing (moonlighting) musicians inferior to exclusive contract with OK Jazz.^[30][32][33] Kiamuangana clandestinely transported the tapes there, where he also record for Decca Records France (a subsidiary of Decca Records) change Franco, who assured him ditch compensation would follow.^[34] Determined cry to return empty-handed, Kiamuangana absconded on the day of exit and, having purloined Franco's practice, entrusted his tapes to uncut publisher, receiving a generous excitable with which he acquired bend in half cars.^[34] Franco subsequently uncovered illustriousness deception and, following his passageway, dismissed Kiamuangana from OK Jazz.^[34] However, Franco later renegotiated Kiamuangana's reinstatement in exchange for 40 percent of the profits use the unauthorized recordings.^[30] This compromise was short-lived, and Kiamuangana in the end severed his affiliation with Be in the lead Jazz in February 1969, breaking up ways with Youlou, who opted to remain with Franco.^[30]

April 1969–1973: Orchestre Vévé and other ventures

Following his departure, Kiamuangana founded rulership Orchestre Vévé on 5 Apr 1969 in Kinshasa, the namesake of his eponymous record label.^[3][27][35] His image was prominently featured on each record as top-notch marketing strategy.^[3][27] Orchestre Vévé energetic its public debut in June of that year at ethics Vis-à-Vis bar.^[3][27] It included caroller Sinatra Bonga Tsekabu (also faint as Saak Saakul) and bassist Jim.^[3][27] Orchestre Vévé quickly garnered widespread acclaim, producing hits specified as Kiamuangana's "Mfumbwa" and "Bankoko Baboyi" (inspired by a see trade accident), as well as Saak Saakul's "Fifi Solange".^[27] Other noted compositions from this period insert included "Ekuile Ferros", "Bolingo Florence", "Linga Ngai Zuwa Te", significant "Ah Mokili", among others.

Sooner than the same year, Kiamuangana recruited Congo-Brazzaville vocalist Marcel Loko Massengo, also known as Djeskain.^[3][27] Orchestre Vévé's lineup became a almighty powerhouse, featuring Kelly Makiadi, José Bébé, Saak Saakul, Bovick Cling to Bondo on vocals, Danila set phrase lead guitar, Jim on low-pitched guitar, Kiamuangana and Maproco cutback saxophone, with Mario Matadidi, out Lubumbashi-born singer, also joining greatness band.^[3][27]

In 1971, Kiamuangana revolutionized classify production by deviating from probity traditional practice of including one disparate songs on 45 rate vinyl records.^[27] He released "Mfumbwa 1st" and "Mfumbwa 2nd", innovatively dividing the record into mirror image segments—one for melody and work on for dance.^[27] Recognizing the fiscal benefits of this approach, abundant musical groups followed suit.^[27] That initiated a phonographic revolution get your skates on Congolese music, making it nobleness sole industry worldwide to create only one title on unadorned record instead of two.^[27]

In 1972, Sinatra, Djeskain, and Mario asleep Orchestre Vévé to establish blue blood the gentry Sosoliso orchestra, named after dialect trig song by Mario Matadidi.^[27] They called themselves the trio Ma-Dje-Si, an acronym embodying the blend of their names—Mario, Djeskain, with the addition of Sinatra.^[27][36] That same year, Pépé Kallé was contracted by Éditions Vévé and lent his part, alongside José Bébé, to Kiamuangana's polemic composition "Nakomitunaka", which was a scathing retort to nobility Catholic Church's staunch opposition round the corner President Mobutu Sese Seko's Authenticité campaign, which sought to recruit music as an instrument farm animals state-sponsored political and cultural propaganda.^[27][37][38] The provocative lyrics, which uncertain why saints depicted in spiritual iconography were exclusively white, generated significant consternation within both dignity Catholic Church and the broader Congolese Christian community, ultimately prime to Kiamuangana's excommunication.^[27] However, "Nakomitunaka" enjoyed substantial airplay on La Voix du Zaïre television arm Mobutu's regime's directive.^[27] Concurrently, Kiamuangana donated musical equipment to rendering Bella-Bella orchestra, which recruited Pépé Kallé.^[27] Later that year, Kiamuangana reinvested his initial earnings term paper purchase new musical equipment come across Roger Izeidi, fully equipping Orchestre Vévé and establishing Vévé Bungalow at his property on Eyala Avenue in the Kasa-Vubu commune.^[27][37] He also opened the Zadis Store on Place de hostility Victoire in the Kalamu commune.^[27]

Orchestre Vévé proceeded to release span series of commercially successful singles, such as "Fifi" and "Ndona" by Kelly, and "Sex Vévé" and "Gilmo" by Juslain Makanga.^[27] During this prolific phase, Kiamuangana himself composed several chart-topping hits, including "Sakumuna", "Béa", "Baboyaka Mbongo", "Marcelline", "Nandimi Motema", "L'Afrique aux Africains", "Sanza Esili Te", "Nzoto Ya Chance", "Mbondi Ya Libala", "Mobutu the Helmsman", "Denise", "Naleli Nani", "Zonga Vonvon", among others.^[27] Other band members also unconstrained significant compositions: "Baloba Yo Mbongo Mingi", "Natuni Namemi Ngambo", "Lina Mapendo", "Sosoliso", "Lucie Nakoloba Nini", and "Moïse ou Anne" outdo Mario Matadidi; "Sois Sage" sports ground "Reste Avec Moi" by Bovick Ye Bondo; "Marcello Tozongana" additional "Pronostics" by Sinatra Bonga; "Loboko", "José Okosambwa", and "Mita Yeba Ngai" by Djeskain Loko; famous "Isabo" by Kelly Makiadi.^[27]

1974–1987: diverge James Brown's endorsement to structure of new orchestras

In 1974, Saint Brown, who performed at grandeur three-day Zaire 74 music commemoration, anointed Kiamuangana "Mister Dynamite" later seeing one of his subsist performances.^[39] Orchestre Vévé embarked hustle a two-month tour in Kenya.^[40][41] That year, Éditions Vévé commenced the issuance of 45 rev vinyl records, extending its point in time to various prominent groups specified as Zaïko Langa Langa, Grands Maquisards, and others.^[27]

Éditions Vévé was officially renamed Zadis (Zaïroise defence disque) in 1976.^[27] Around that time, Orchestre Vévé issued authority tracks "Papy Baruti" and "Muana Mburu", composed by Francis Bitsoumani, alias Celi Bitsou, with depiction latter enjoying considerable success.^[27] Influence orchestra's composition during this console included Tino Muinkwa, Djo Roy, Nejos Tusevo, Pepitho Fukiau lure vocals; Lambion on lead guitar; Aladji Baba on accompaniment; Ndolo and Celi Bitsou on bass; Bayard on drums; Ponta Vickys on tumba; Kiamuangana, Dibuidi, captivated Sax Matalanza on saxophone; challenging Makamba on trombone.^[27] Following say publicly success of "Muana Mburu", Celi Bitsou departed from Orchestre Vévé to pursue a solo vitality.

After a period of torpor, Kiamuangana revitalized the orchestra ready money 1985, appointing Dizzy Mandjeku introduce artistic director.^[27] He participated pulse the reformation of the get-up, enlisting Diatho Lukoki, Jo Mpoy, Sonama, and Michel Sax.^[27] Luciana De Mingongo transitioned from Examination La Musica to join Orchestre Vévé, replacing Jo Mpoy, who returned to OK Jazz accomplice Dizzy.^[27] Kiamuangana also recruited Elba Kuluma, Serge Lemvo, Asi Kapela, Rochesi, and Lawi.

Luciana decedent after three months. Orchestre Vévé released the track "Monsieur Raison", which achieved notable success.^[27]

In 1978, Kiamuangana inaugurated an entertainment intricate, Vévé Center, which evolved succeed a cultural epicenter, hosting process from Kinshasa orchestras such pass for Grand Zaïko Wa Wa, Langa Langa Stars, Victoria Eleison, Mbonda Africa, Afro International, Kola protocol sommité, and Wenge Musica.^[27] Wind year, he also oversaw goodness recording, production, and distribution have a phobia about "Sango Ndambu", "Asso", "Samba Samba", "Synza", and "Anibo" by Koffi Olomide, with "Anibo" becoming justness year's breakthrough hit.^[27] In 1980, Zadis was renamed Éditions Vévé International (EVVI), and continuing warmth support for various orchestras specified as Zaïko Langa Langa, Koffi Olomide, Empire Bakuba, Afrisa Intercontinental, OK Jazz, Taz Bolingo, Tiers-Monde, Franck Lassan, Grand Zaïko Wa Wa, Langa Langa Stars, Town Eleison, Mbonda Africa, Afro Global, Kola the luminary, Vonga Constantly, and others.^[27]

In October 1981, Kiamuangana assembled a new orchestra extensive Evoloko Joker, Bozi Boziana, be first Djo Mali, dissidents from Zaïko Langa Langa, alongside Dindo Yogo, Espérant Kisangani, Djuna Djanana wa Mpanga, and King Kester Emeneya, dissidents from Papa Wemba's Test La Musica.^[27] They formed probity Langa Langa Stars, though Kester Emeneya was later excluded newcomer disabuse of the leadership.^[27] In 1982, Kiamuangana welcomed twelve musicians who confidential left Viva La Musica, eminent to the formation of nobleness Victoria Eleison orchestra.

He assuming them with instruments and enter a occur their works, as well since Bozi Boziana's Anti-Choc.^[27] That unchanging year, he established the venture Vévé and launched Izason (Industrie Zaïroise du Son) in 1984.^[27]

In 1988, following the demise close Vicky Longomba, president of UMUZA (Union des Musiciens Zaïrois), Kiamuangana assumed the presidency.^[27] He restructured the office, instituting a shorten dedicated to liaising with Soneca and managing musicians' social be in front of alongside another section focused come by musicians' professional relations.^[27] In Haw 1995, he was unanimously re-elected as national president of UMUZA by the collective membership.^[27] Next the incursion of Laurent-Désiré Kabila's Alliance of Democratic Forces promoter the Liberation of Congo-Zaire (AFDL) into Kinshasa in May 1997, which led to the expelling of Mobutu and Kabila's substantial self-proclamation as president on 17 May, the country was renamed the Democratic Republic of goodness Congo, and Union Des Musiciens Zaïrois was renamed Union nonsteroidal Musiciens Congolais (UMUCO).^[27] In 1998, Kiamuangana presided over UMUCO just the thing concert with Tabu Ley Rochereau, Zatho Kinzonzi, and Philippe Kanza.

Throughout his tenure, Kiamuangana yourself and financially supported the funerals of deceased musicians.^[27]

In April 2015, Sterns Music released a ample portion of Kiamuangana's Éditions Vévé record label output in MP3 format. This release was attended by a blog post turn this way included his biography.^[42] On 16 July, Kiamuangana was elected prexy of SOCODA (Société Congolaise nonsteroidal Droits d'Auteurs et des Droits Voisins) in the presence hint at delegates from the Ministry have a good time Culture and Arts.^[43]

Personal life delighted death

Kiamuangana had 13 children; link born to Lucie Bola (his legal wife), four others add up Christine Juster, and two own Stéphanie Feza.

He died subtract Kinshasa on 13 October 2022, at the age of 78.^[44]

Discography

Compilations

• Verckys & L'Orchestre Veve, Congolese Cold sweat, Afrobeat and Psychedelic Rumba 1969 - 1978 (2014, Analog Africa)
• Verckys, Edition Veve 1969-1972 (2015, Sterns)
• Verckys, Edition Veve 1972-1978 (2015, Sterns)
• Verckys, Edition Veve 1969-1978 (2015, Sterns)
• Verckys, Edition Veve 1972-1975 (2015, Sterns)

Contributing artist

See also

References

External links