Félix Manuaku Waku

Félix Manuaku Waku
Félix Manuaku Waku performing at Chorus, Lausanne
Background information
Also known as	Pépé Fely; Pépé Felly
Born	(1954-08-19) 19 August 1954 (age 70) M'banza-Kongo, Zaire Province, Angola
Origin	M'banza-Kongo
Genres	Congolese rumba cavacha soukous
Occupations	Guitarist, Singer songwriter arranger record producer bandleader lyricist
Instrument	Guitar
Years active	1960s–present

Pépé Felly Manuaku, also known as Pépé Fely (or Felly)[1][2] is a Congolese rumba guitarist, songwriter, producer, arranger, bandleader and lyricist from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). He has been described as the foremost Congolese solo guitarist of his generation.[3] He is a founding member of the iconic groups Zaïko Langa Langa, Les Ya Toupas and Grand Zaïko Wawa. His style of guitar is the last style officially credited as a "School" or Genre of guitar following the styles "Fiesta" created by "Le Docteur" Nico Kassanda and "Odemba" created by "Le Sorcier" Franco Luambo Makiadi. He is credited with establishing the guitar as the lead instrument in contemporary Congolese music introducing Synthesiser, Bouzouki, Advanced Guitar effect pedal techniques, new arrangement and recording techniques.[4]

Pepe Felly Manuaku is a Congolese Rumba Guitarist from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. He was born in the mountain region of Zoma in what is now Angola. Zoma is known as a royal village in the time of the Kongolese Empire. His Grandfather, Manuel d'Oliveira was a pioneer of early Congolese Music with his group San Salvador. His uncle is Armando Brazzos, author composer and bassist on the iconic Indépendance Cha Cha by Grand Kalle and African Jazz.

A graduate of the Kinshasa Académie des Beaux-Arts,[5] he was one of the founders of the popular Congolese musical group Zaiko Langa Langa,[6] and his rapid guitar-playing style[7] was a distinctive feature of the group's music.[8] In Zaiko Langa Langa he attracted critical praise for his ability to play continuously without a break, and earned the sobriquet "the hardest left hand in Zaire".[9] He was noted also for his mastery of the sebene technique.[10]

He left Zaiko Langa Langa in 1979 to found another group, the award-winning[11] Grand Zaiko Wawa,[12][13] which in turn cultivated a new generation of prominent Congolese musicians.[14]

After teaching as a guest lecturer in the University of Limerick Irish World Music Academy in 2017, Pépé Felly Manuaku has now joined Elikya Band as musical director. .[10]

References

1. "Bimi Ombale, "si Jossart l'avait vraiment voulu, il m aurait retenu à ses côtés"" (in French). Angola Presse. 10 September 2010.
2. Enyimo, Martin (31 October 2009). "Congo-Kinshasa: Pépé Felly Manuaku Waku revient sur scène à Kinshasa" [Congo-Kinshasa: Pépé Felly Manuaku Waku returns to the stage in Kinshasa]. Lepotentiel.cd (in French). Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Retrieved 13 July 2024.
3. Chebwa, Manda (1996). Terre de la chanson: la musique zaïroise, hier et aujourd'hui (in French). De Boeck Universite. p. 166. ISBN 2-8011-1128-7.
4. Graham, Ronnie (1988). The Da Capo guide to contemporary African music. Da Capo. p. 205. ISBN 0-306-80325-9. Manuaku had redefined the role of the lead guitar as the lead instrument in modern Congo music
5. Enyimo, Martin (31 October 2009). "Pépé Felly Manuaku Waku revient sur scène à Kinshasa" (in French). Le Potentiel.
6. Eyre, Banning (2002). Guitar Atlas Africa: Your Passport to a New World of Music. Alfred Music Publishing. p. 12. ISBN 0-7390-2474-4.
7. Coelho, Victor (2003). The Cambridge companion to the guitar. Cambridge Companions to Music. Cambridge University Press. p. 58. ISBN 0-521-00040-8.
8. Stewart, Gary (2004). Rumba on the river: a history of the popular music of the two Congos. Verso. p. 213. ISBN 1-85984-368-9.
9. Stapleton, Chris; Chris May (1987). African all-stars: the pop music of a continent. Quartet. p. 153. ISBN 0-7043-2504-7.
10. Muanza, Jossart (25 February 2005). "Manuaku Waku "Pépé Felly" fait à nouveau parler de lui". Afrique Echos Magazine. Archived from the original on 2011-07-26.
11. Larkin, Colin (1992). The Guinness encyclopedia of popular music. Vol. 4. Guinness Publishing. p. 2767. ISBN 1-882267-04-4. They were voted best orchestra in 1984
12. "Manuaku Waku "Pépé Felly" fait à nouveau parler de lui" (in French). Afriquechos. 25 February 2005. Archived from the original on 2011-07-26.
13. White, Bob (2008). Rumba rules: the politics of dance music in Mobutu's Zaire. Duke University Press. pp. 214–5. ISBN 978-0-8223-4112-3.
14. Graham, Ronnie (1992). The world of African music. Pluto. p. 118. ISBN 0-7453-0657-8.

External links

• Zaiko Langa Langa Official Site