Antoine Moundanda

b. 1928, Kikouimba, Congo. A master of the likembe, (Congolese ‘thumb piano’), Moundanda began playing the kisansi (the likembe’s ancestor) with his father who was a healer of the sick. It was believed that playing music would chase away the evil spirits causing the sickness. Following the death of his father, Moundanda moved to Brazzaville, where he was inspired to become a professional musician by Paul Kamba, leader of the Victoria Brazza Orchestra, stars of the local music scene. In the early 50s he formed Likembe Geant, a group dedicated to combining then contemporary dance rhythms (the polka, the djebola, the rumba) with traditional Congolese likembe music. They became highly successful within the local music scene, releasing over 30 albums and packing out bars and clubs whenever they played. However, by the late 50s the public’s taste had changed. Artists such as Franco and Tabu Ley led groups featuring electric guitars and the acoustic Likembe Geant were viewed as something of an anachronism. After a few years out of favour, Moundanda won a prize at the 1967 Black Arts Festival held in Dakar. After this he worked with the Congolese National Ballet and then moved on to collaboration with Sony Labou Tansi’s Zulu Theatre. In 1998 the French Indigo label released Likembe Geant, an album featuring Moundanda with fellow likembe-playing old timers Papa Kourand and Raphael Mahala. With its relaxed swing and sweet soulful vocals the album offers an insight into the roots of modern Congolese music.