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Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular MusicA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZNICO, Dr(b Nicholas, Kasanda Wa Mikalay, '39, Luluaborg, Zaire; d '85) Guitarist, composer. He graduated '57 as a technical teacher, but inspired by his musical family (father an amateur accordionist, brother Mwamba Dechaud an excellent rhythm guitarist), he took up the guitar and in time became a virtuoso soloist. A founder member of the seminal group African Jazz, led by Joseph Kabaselle, he became the most infl. guitarist in modern Congo sound, acquiring nickname 'Dr Nico' following his performances with the band during independence celebrations '60. Best of the band's many singles issued on two-disc Joseph Kabaselle Et L'African Jazz on Africain; it split up '63 when Dr Nico and singer Rochereau left to form their L'Orchestra African Fiesta, which became one of the most popular in Africa, spawning many imitators and making dozens of singles, the best compiled in Africain's L'Afrique Danse series (vols 5, 8, 10). More LPs incl. material from late '60s--early '70s appeared on Safari Ambiance incl. Toute L'Afrique Danse, Sanzo Zomi Na Mibale, Bunga and Afrique Tayokana. He withdrew from the the music scene mid-'70s following collapse of his Belgian record label, feeling that he'd been cheated; he played the odd show and made a few singles but waited for a better deal, which came '83 with Africa New Sound, based in Lome, Togo: accompanied by his brother he made LPs backed by Les Redoubtables d'Abeti, incl. Mikalay, Dieu De La Guitare, Aux USA and Homage Au Grand Kalle; more material remained unreleased. He made two more LPs in Paris '84--5 and arranged for his first American release on African Music Gallery label when his death robbed Africa of one of its best musicians. |