Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular Music

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

KALLE, Le Grand

(b Joseph Kabaselle Tshamala, '30, Matadi, Zaire; d '82) Singer and composer, aka "Le Grande Kalle', the acknowledged father of the modern Congo sound, infl. Tabu Ley, Franco and leading African jazz for over a decade. A chorister in a Catholic school; made debut at 19 with L'Orchestre de Tendance Congolaise; earliest recordings on the first Congolese labels Editions Ngoma, Editions Essego. Joined Surboum Jazz early '50s, playing a fusion of jazz, folklore and Afro-Cuban; then formed legendary African Jazz outfit '53, abandoning the popular polkas and mazurkas and playing rumbas and sambas instead. With an acoustic lineup and playing new fusions the band flourished during the years leading to Independence '60, marking the transition from trad. to modern in Zairian music. Members during this era incl. famous musicians Manu Dibango, Dr Nico, Essous, Malapet, Rossingol, Dechaud, Rochereau. Joseph Kabaselle et L'African Jazz on Africain was a good compilation. Kalle recorded "Okuka Lokole', celebrating '60 visit of Louis Armstrong to Zaire; extensive West African tour '61 infl. development of music in Francophone countries, e.g. Bembeya Jazz in Guinea. The band's fame had also spread across the Atlantic, with "Para Fifi' and "Kale Kato' becoming crossover hits late '50s. Having released hundreds of singles the band dominated musical Kinshasha with its unique blend of vocals, guitars and percussion; sounds from the mid-'60s were on Authenticitie Vol. 5 on Africain. In '63 Dr Nico and Taby Ley left to form African Fiesta; after a successful tour in '65, Kasabelle stepped down to take stock; made a grand comeback in Brazzaville '66; went to Paris '70 to make albums with Dibango and Cuban musicians, this band collectively known as L'African Team. He was named the first "Grand Maitre' by the national union of musicians '80; on his death notable songs composed in his memory incl. "Homage a Grand Kalle' on the Franco/Tabu Ley album L'Evenement.