Simaro Lutumba

Congolese musical artist (1938–2019)

Lutumba Simaro Masiya
Birth name	Simon Lutumba Ndomanueo
Also known as	Lutumba Simaro Masiya
Born	(1938-03-19)19 March 1938 Léopoldville, Belgian Congo (now Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo)
Died	30 March 2019(2019-03-30) (aged 81) Paris, France
Genres	Congo music
Occupation(s)	composer, arranger, producer, guitarist
Instrument(s)	Rhythm guitar
Years active	1959 – 2018

Musical artist

Simaro Massiya Lutumba Ndomanueno (19 March 1938 – 30 March 2019), known as Simaro, was a Congolese music rhythm guitarist, songwriter, poet, composer, and bandleader.^[1] He was a member of the seminal Congo music band TPOK Jazz, which dominated the music scene in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) from the 1960s to the 1980s.^[2]

Early life

Simaro was born in Uíge Province, Angola.^{[citation needed]}

Music career with OK Jazz

Simaro started playing with Franco Luambo, the founder of OK Jazz, in 1961. They were later joined by Josky Kiambukuta and Ndombe Opetum. Youlou Mabiala and Madilu System also played with OK Jazz, before their solo careers. Simaro served as Vice President of the band for many years and led the group during Franco's long trips to Europe during the 1980s. His composition of the band's hit song 'Mabele' earned him the nickname 'Poet'. DRC authorities jailed him, Franco and other musicians, for two obscene songs in the late 1970s. Simaro is considered as one of the greatest poets, singers and philosophers of Congolese music.^[2]

Discography

Simaro is credited with composing many songs for the band, including:

Likambo Zi Tu Zoto Esilkata Te - Sung by Michel Boyibanda, Josky Kiambukuta and Sam Mangwana
Oko Regretter Ngai Mama - Sung by Michel Boyibanda, Josky Kiambukuta, Wuta Mayi and Lola Checain
Bodutaka - Sung by Sam Mangwana, Michèl Boyibanda, Josky Kiambukuta and Lola Chécain
Mabele - Sung by Sam Mangwana
Eau Benite - Sung by Madilu System
Maya - Sung by Carlyto Lassa
Testament ya Bowule - Sung by Malage de Lugendo
Vaccination - Sung by Kiesse Diambu
Ebale ya Zaire - Sung by Sam Mangwana
Faute Ya Commercant - Sung by Sam Mangwana
Cedou - Sung by Sam Mangwana, Michel Boyibanda & Franco
Bisalela - Sung by Youlou Mabiala, Josky Kiambukuta, Michel Boyibanda and Wuta Mayi
Mbongo - Sung by Djo Mpoyi
Salle d'attente - Sung by Ferre Gola, Josky Kiambukuta, M'bilia Bel and Papa Wemba
Kadima - Sung by Djo Mpoyi

Music career post OKJazz

Following Franco's death in 1989, Simaro agreed to continue the band, sharing 30% of revenue with the late band leader's family. In 1993 OKJazz split over disagreements how funds were shared. Simaro and 30 OKJazz musicians formed Bana OK in 1994.^[3]

Death

Simaro Massiya Lutumba died in a hospital in Paris, France, on Saturday 30 March 2019. The musician was known to suffer from diabetes and hypertension.^[4]

References

^ "Simaro". web home of the book Rumba on the River. Gary Stewart.
^ ^a ^b Ngaira, Amos (31 October 2014). "Former TP OK Jazz star, Simaro, in 'stable' condition". Daily Nation Mobile. Nairobi. Retrieved 30 March 2019.
^ Banning Eyre (2002). "Interview: Lutumba Simaro, 2002". World Music Productions. Archived from the original on 2011-09-21.
^ Ngaira, Amos (30 March 2019). "Congolese Musician Simaro Massiya Lutumba Dies In Paris". Daily Nation. Nairobi. Retrieved 30 March 2019.