Kanda Bongo Man (26 Aug)

Kanda Bongo, born,1955 in Inongo, Democratic Republic of the Congo. He left school at the age of 18 to join a local Kinshasa band, playing the hot rhumba sound of the time. He quickly moved on to play with the Orchestre Bella Mambo in 1976.

He later moved to Paris and in 1981 1981 and released two superb albums, ‘Iyole’ and ‘Djessy’, which mixed soukous with internationally appealing pop melodies.

His highly acclaimed set at the high-profile WOMAD (World Music and Dance) Festival brought him to the attention of a wider UK audience.

He continues to immerse himself in dance trends such as the Kwassa Kwassa and Mayebo, though his style was still located primarily in the high-speed soukous tradition that he had pioneered.

Come and enjoy a night of the ultimate in feel-good dance music from the culture rich Mid Africa from one of the Continent’s giant of music.

26 Aug, The Tabernacle, W11 2AY, £15-£12+bfee  http://www.commonwealtharts.org.uk/