Lokua Kanza

Pascal Lokua Kanza (* April 1958 in Bukavu, South Kivu (formerly Zaïre = from 1971 to 1999 the name of the Democratic Republic of Congo) ) is a singer, songwriter and guitarist from the Congo, who interprets the music of his homeland with contemporary means.

Life and work

Kanza grew since 1964 in Kinshasa, where he sang in the church choir. After the death of his father he could only to a limited go to school because he had to contribute to the livelihood. As a musician, he worked with Ray Lema, which caused that he attended the Conservatory in Kinshasa. He studied classical guitar and solfeggio. Then he worked for Abeti Masekini and regional orchestras in the Congo, Gabon and the Ivory Coast as a guitarist. Since 1984 he lives in France, where he studied one year at Pierre Cullaz and continue with Lema worked (Album Bwana Zoulou gear). He also arranged for Papa Wemba and recorded with Geoffrey Oryema and Sixun. In 1991 he played in the Soul Makossa passage of Manu Dibango. In October 1992 Lokua played at the Olympia in Paris Angélique Kidjo with, accompanied by Julia Sarr and Didi Ekukuan. Then he presented his own albums and went on tour internationally successful; already the first of which was awarded the African Music Award. In 1994, he Youssou N'Dour the singer to recording his album The Guide ( Wommat ). He also toured with Peter Maffay and is on his album to listen encounters. In 1996, he was on tour in Germany together with Marla Glen and performed with his group in the opening act. He also wrote pieces for Miriam Makeba and Nana Mouskouri and produced the second album by Sara Tavares.

Awards

Discography

• Lokua Kanza (1993, Universal)
• Wapi Yo (1995, BMG)
• 3 (1998, Universal)
• Toyebi Te (2002, Universal)
• Toto Bona Lokua (2004, No Format Collection) with Richard Bona and Gerald Toto
• Plus Vivant (2005, Universal)
• Nkolo (2010, World Village )