Navigate
X

Remembering Lutumba Simaro in pictures

Simaro first joined TPOK Jazz in 1964

Simaro (left) soon after rejoining TP OK Jazz in the mid 1960s

 

Simaro’s wedding to Nkelani. His best man was the legendary Docteur Nico Kasanda who is on the far right

 

Simaro briefly joined a group called Wapi Vedette in the early 1960s

 

Simaro (far right) with other TPOK Jazz members in the 1960s

 

Posing in the late 1960s
Simaro with Gege Yoka-Mangaya in 1975

 


Simaro came to prominence in the mid 1970s with hits like Okoregrettaire Ngai, Presence, Bodutaka and others

Sharply dressed Simaro seen here in the early 1980s

 

Simaro seen with Franco here on the album sleeve for “Merci Bapesaka na Mbua. Composed by Simaro, it was one of the band’s greatest hits

 


Starting in the Mid 1970s, Simaro was appointed by Franco as the Chef d’Orchestre and was seen as Franco’s right hand man

 

It was Simaro who introduced Franco to Josky in 1974 upon which the latter joined TPOK Jazz

 

Simaro and Franco on tour in Kenya in 1986

 

This TPOK Jazz album from 1988 was labeled as “Simaro et le TPOK Jazz” reflecting the fact that Simaro had already started taking the reins of TPOK Jazz

 

Simaro touring Paris in 1990 with TPOK Jazz. He was then the band leader

 

When TPOK Jazz folded, the trio of Ndombe Opetum, Simaro and Josky formed Bana OK. This was around 1998
The greatest composer in the history of African music, seen here during the Bana OK days in the late 1990s

 

Simaro receiving an award from the then President of DR Congo Laurent Kabila

 

Franco with former DR Congo president Laurent Kabila

 

Simaro with Faya Tess in 2016. The latter did renditions of several Simaro songs during this period.

 


Simaro with one of his sons

 


Simaro in concert with TPOK Jazz in the mid 1970s. Behind him is rhythm guitarist Gege Yoka Mangaya

 


In his prime, Simaro would practise on his guitar 12 hours a day

Simaro seen here with TPOK Jazz founder member Armando Brazzos (left) and guitar wizard Mose Se Fan Fan who played with TPOK Jazz in the early 1970s
Simaro with one of his granddaughters

 

Simaro in 2018, aged 80

 


Simaro ailments started around 2018

 

This is when Simaro was admitted to hospital in Paris. He would pass on a few days later

 

Simaro’s wife of over 50 years: Mama Nkelani on the right

 

After his passing, all of DR Congo went into mourning

 

Lying in state: Simaro’s funeral

 

His final resting place
Tags: lutumba simaroTPOK Jazz band members
musica:

View Comments (3)

Leave a Comment
Related Post
  1. TPOK Jazz Band members who are still alive

    Youlou Mabiala Youlou Mabiala featured for OK Jazz, primarily in the 1970s. He returned occassionally…

  2. Biography of Mpudi Decca

    Introduction to Mpudi Zi Kisala dit Decca Mpudi Decca joins TPOK Jazz Balenge Badjekate /…

  3. Georgette Mowana alias Tété, Tabu Ley’s first wife

    Image courtesy of tabu.reseau.jord.net   Tabu Ley Website