Le Grand Kallé

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Joseph Tshamala Kabasele
Le Grand Kallé
Promotional photo of Kabasele for the Opika record label in the early 1950s
Background information
Birth nameJoseph Athanase Tchamala Kabasele
Born(1930-12-16)16 December 1930[1]
Matadi, Belgian Congo (now Kongo Central)
Died11 February 1983(1983-02-11) (aged 52)
Paris, France
GenresAfrican Rumba
Years active1953–1983
LabelsSurboum African Jazz

Joseph Athanase Tshamala Kabasele (16 December 1930 in Matadi, Belgian Congo (now Democratic Republic of the Congo) – 11 February 1983 in Paris, France), popularly known as Le Grand Kallé, was a Congolese singer and bandleader, considered the father of modern Congolese music. He is best known for his role as leader of the band, Le Grand Kallé et l'African Jazz, in which capacity he was involved in a number of noted songs, including Indépendance Cha Cha.

Background

Joseph Athanase Tchamala Kabasele was born in

Léopoldville
.

Career

In the early 1950s, at a new recording studio called Opika, Kasabele received an opportunity to pursue a career in music.[2] He joined with two of the session guitarists at Opika records, Georges Doula and Albert Yamba-Yamba, to form a combo called Groupe Doula Georges. In 1951 Doula and his band starred in a publicity film for the radio station Voix de la Concorde, which operated under the call letters "OTC." To capitalize on the notoriety gained from the film, the band chose to rename themselves OTC.[3]

In 1953, disillusioned with the lack of modernisation at OTC, he formed

Pepe Kalle.[4]

In 1960, he established his own label, Subourboum Jazz, which was home to

In the mid-1960s, Kallé suffered his first major setback when two of his protégés (

Africa Fiesta.[1] Kallé never recovered from this setback,[1] concentrating on nurturing the talent of singer Pépé Kallé
.

Political influence

(right) performing at the Round Table Conference in February 1960

As a prominent figure in the

"Round Table Conference" on Congolese independence in 1960.[1] He composed several songs on a political themes, notably "Indépendance Cha Cha" and "Table Ronde
".

Death

Le Grand Kallé died in a hospital in Paris, France, on 11 February 1983. He was buried in Gombe Cemetery in Kinshasa.

Musical influence

Kabasele was one of the great African singers of the twentieth century.[2] He was the first musician to mix Cuban rhythms with a traditional African beat to create what is now known as Soukous. He was also the first African musician to create his own record label. He has been referred to as the "Father of Congolese Music."[2]

Discography

Albums, including compilations
  • Merveilles Du Passé – Hommage Au Grand Kalle Vol. 2 (1984, African)
  • Essous / Kwamy / Mujos / Edo / Casino (1993, Sonodisc)
  • 1966 – 1967 (1993, Grand Kalle/Syllart)
  • Grand Kallé et African Team, Vol. 1 (1993, Grand Kalle/Syllart)
  • Grand Kalle et l'African Jazz 1961–1962 (Merveilles du passé, vol. 2) (1993, Sonodisc)
  • Grand Kalle & L'African Team (1997, Sonodisc)
  • Le Grand Kalle (2013, Le Monde des Artistes)
  • Jolie Nana (2013, Marylebone Records)
  • Joseph Kabasele, Le Grand Kalle: His Life, His Music (2013, Sterns Africa)
  • The History Of Le Grand Kallé, Vol. 1 (2013, Diamond Days)
  • The History Of Le Grand Kallé, Vol. 2 (2013, Diamond Days)
  • The History Of Le Grand Kallé, Vol. 3 (2013, Diamond Days)
  • The History Of Le Grand Kallé, Vol. 4 (2013, Diamond Days)
  • The History Of Le Grand Kallé, Vol. 5 (2013, Diamond Days)
  • Butsana Mama: Le Grand Kallé & His Songs, Vol. 1 (2013, Supreme Media)
  • Butsana Mama: Le Grand Kallé & His Songs, Vol. 2 (2013, Supreme Media)
  • Butsana Mama: Le Grand Kallé & His Songs, Vol. 3 (2013, Supreme Media)
  • Butsana Mama: Le Grand Kallé & His Songs, Vol. 4 (2013, Supreme Media)
  • Butsana Mama: Le Grand Kallé & His Songs, Vol. 5 (2013, Supreme Media)
Contributing artist
As leader of Le Grand Kallé et l'African Jazz

(see that page)

External links

References

  1. ^ a b c d e "Grand Kalle: The founder of modern Congolese music". Kenya Page. 11 April 2012. Retrieved 14 March 2013.
  2. ^ a b c d Stewart, Gary. "Kabasele, Joseph". Rumba on the River – Web Home of the Book. Retrieved 15 September 2019.
  3. .
  4. ^ a b "Grand Kalle – Music Artist Band Bio". Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Music.us. Archived from the original on 12 May 2013. Retrieved 14 March 2013.