Simaro Lutumba(I)
- Actor
Lutumba Massiya Simaro Ndomanueno joining TP OK Jazz, Simaro started his musical career as rhythm guitarist at with Orchestre Micra. He initially joined TP OK Jazz in 1961. In those days band membership was fluid. So Simaro left to Join Congo Jazz. He returned to TP OK Jazz in 1963 when Congo Jazz became defunct. He stayed in TP OK Jazz except for a brief hiatus in 1986. Aside from Franco, he was the longest serving member.
For most of his time at TP OK Jazz, he served as the band's Vice President. While Franco was on his numerous trips to Europe, Simaro often stayed home and led the home based band. At its height, TP OK Jazz had two units. One that would go on tour with Franco and the other that would stay and play live concerts at Franco's nightclub in Kinshasa. Simaro was also the main Chef d'Orchestre, providing input to all songs and arrangements by the band and offering suggestions on compositions by other singers.
Simaro had been in TP OK Jazz for more than a decade before he finally captured the imagination of the public when he composed the song Mabele (The Earth) in 1972. Prior to that, he played second fiddle to other more illustrious band members such as Vicky, Mujos, Kwamy and solo guitarist Mose Se Fan Fan. The song Mabele was a poetic ballad about life's problems and the inevitability of death. He sung: "We come from earth and we eventually return to the earth". It is the song that earned Simaro the nickname "Le Poete". The song was soulfully delivered by new recruit Sam Mangwana who had just joined from rivals Afrisa.
Simaro passed away on March 30, 2019 at a hospital in Paris, only 11 days after his 81st birthday. He had been convalescing at the hospital for two months. Before he passed on, he noted that he had accomplished his mission in life and set a good example for up and coming musicians.
For most of his time at TP OK Jazz, he served as the band's Vice President. While Franco was on his numerous trips to Europe, Simaro often stayed home and led the home based band. At its height, TP OK Jazz had two units. One that would go on tour with Franco and the other that would stay and play live concerts at Franco's nightclub in Kinshasa. Simaro was also the main Chef d'Orchestre, providing input to all songs and arrangements by the band and offering suggestions on compositions by other singers.
Simaro had been in TP OK Jazz for more than a decade before he finally captured the imagination of the public when he composed the song Mabele (The Earth) in 1972. Prior to that, he played second fiddle to other more illustrious band members such as Vicky, Mujos, Kwamy and solo guitarist Mose Se Fan Fan. The song Mabele was a poetic ballad about life's problems and the inevitability of death. He sung: "We come from earth and we eventually return to the earth". It is the song that earned Simaro the nickname "Le Poete". The song was soulfully delivered by new recruit Sam Mangwana who had just joined from rivals Afrisa.
Simaro passed away on March 30, 2019 at a hospital in Paris, only 11 days after his 81st birthday. He had been convalescing at the hospital for two months. Before he passed on, he noted that he had accomplished his mission in life and set a good example for up and coming musicians.