Franco’s Short Bio
Snapshot
Grand Maître, Uncle Yorgho, De mi Amor, Luambo Makiadi ya Fuala, are many nicknames of Franco, who was one of Congolese top musician. Franco founded the OK Jazz band. Mobutu, president of Zaire raised Franco to the title of “Grand Maître de la musique zaïroise”. OK Jazz therefore became “Tout Puissant OK Jazz“, or T.P. OK Jazz. At its peak in the 70’s through the 90’s,T.P. OK Jazz completely dominated Zaïre’s music scene. It also promoted the emergence of many renowned artists like Lutumba Simaro, Sam Mangwana, and Manu Dibangu.
Grand Maître was born François Luambo Luanzo Makiadi, from Joseph Emongo and Mama Nbonga. That was on Wednesday, July 6, 1938 in Sona-Bata, Belgium Congo. François abandoned school at third grade to help his mother raise her many kids in a harsh Kinshasa. He would then learn to play harmonica , and sometimes play at momy’s shop, and help attract clients. Quickly, a famous guitarist noticed his talent and initiated him to the basics of guitar. He latter gained the nickname of “Sorcerer of the Guitar”, for his fine and seemingly effortless guitar playing. In 1956, Franco formed the aforementioned OK Jazz band along with Jean Serge Essous, and became the sole leader two years latter. OK Jazz became a huge success and ported Zairean music abroad, making him one of Africa’s top artist. This also helped OK Jazz get support from the Zaire regime when needed, like for travels abroad.
Legacy
Luambo lyrics go through many societal subjects, including politics, disagreements between women and men, family in law, jealousy, religion, etc. This happens in a blend between the cuban rumba melodies common at that time, and Congolese rythmes.
On October 12, 1989, Franco passed by after a slow episode of an unknown sickness. His condition fuelled a lot of rumors about him; depression, Indian magie, AIDS, cancer, etc. Nonetheless, He would leave a legacy of more than 150 records and 1000 songs.
Some Facts:
- OK Jazz comes from OK Bar, where OK stands for “Oscar Kashama”. Oscar encouraged Franco and team to persevere with their music. He would even lend them his pub to perform in 1955.
- Although considered to be from the Kongo ethnic brach, Franco is also from the Telela tribe from Kasaï by his father.
- Bavon Marie-Marie was Franco’s younger brother and a musician too. Bavon diedof a car accident at the peak of his young career. The incident reportedly affected Luambo a lot, who then wrote the song Kimpa Kisangameni.
- Franco’s death in 1989 resulted in four days of national mourning in Zaire.
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