Grand Kalle

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 Le Grand Kallé Was Born Joseph Athanase Tchamala Kabasele In Matadi Bas-Congo In What Was Then The Belgian Congo Modern Democratic Republic Of Congo. He Came From A Prominent Congolese Family Which Included Cardinal Joseph Malula Kallé Went To Secondary School And Became A Typist At A Succession Of Commercial Firms In The Capital Of The Belgian Congo Léopoldville. Career He Started His Music In St. Anne In The School's Choir Where He Mate Victor Longomba. He Was Leaving In The City Town Of Kinshasa .He Was 16 Years Old When He Met Joseph Benatar Studio Owner Than He Found Dechaud Mwamba And Dr. Niko.In The Early 1950s At A New Recording Studio Called Opika He Received An Opportunity To Pursue A Career In Music.His First Group Was OTC Led By George Doula. In 1953 Disillusioned With The Lack Of Modernisation At OTC He Formed L'African Jazz Which Some Consider To Be The Most Important Congolese Band.L'African Jazz Was One Of The Most Popular Early African Rumba Bands. At Its Height L'African Jazz Included Big Names Like Guitarist Dr Nico Kasanda Saxophonist Manu Dibango And Singers Tabu Ley Rochereau Sam Mangwana And Pepe Kalle. In 1960 He Established His Own Label Subourboum Jazz Which Was Home To Franco Luambo's TPOK Jazz. Grand Kallé Was Responsible For Striking Deals With European Record Labels To Ensure High Quality Recordings Of His Band's Music For The Francophone Market. In The Mid-1960s Kallé Suffered His First Major Setback When Two Of His Protegés Tabu Ley Rochereau And Dr Nico Kasanda Left To Form Their Own Group Called Africa Fiesta. Kallé Never Recovered From This Setback Concentrating On Nurturing The Talent Of Singer Pépé Kallé. Political Influence As A Prominent Figure In The Belgian Congo Kallé Was Chosen As A Member Of The Congolese Delegation At The "Round Table Conference" On Congolese Independence In 1960. 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.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." read less