Ntesa Dalienst

Daniel Ntesa Zitani (30 October 1946 – 23 September 1996), known professionally as Ntesa Dalienst or Dalienst, was a Congolese singer-songwriter. Known for his high-pitched mezzo-soprano vocal range,

Born in Kinsiona, Kongo Central, Ntesa began his career in 1956, at the age of ten, when he formed a youth band called Motema Jazz. After completing his secondary education, he briefly pursued a teaching career at the junior secondary level before committing fully to music in 1966. In 1956, at the age of ten, he established a youth orchestra called Motema Jazz, performing with improvised instruments, including tin cans and handcrafted guitars. During this period, he attended a Catholic missionary school in N'Djili, where he participated in the choir and received training in liturgical music. Dalienst joined Festival des Maquisards, which also included Lokombe Bola Bolite, Dizzy Mandjeku, Jean Bokosa (Johnny), Michelino Mavatiku Visi, and Diana, who had recently departed African Fiesta National.

Dalienst, feeling uncertain and considering a return to Vox Africa, was advised by Dizzy Mandjeku to establish a new orchestra, which led to the formation of Les Grands Maquisards with the support of Verckys Kiamuangana Mateta, and with Lokombe and Diana rejoining the project. Les Grands Maquisards' emergence marked a significant moment in the Congolese music scene, alongside prominent bands such as African Jazz, led by Joseph Athanase Tshamala Kabasele (Le Grand Kallé); OK Jazz, led by Franco Luambo; African Fiesta National, led by Tabu Ley Rochereau; African Fiesta Sukisa, led by Nico Kasanda (Docteur Nico); Centrale; and Bamboula, led by Papa Noël Nedule. According to the Agence d'Information d'Afrique Centrale, their sudden disappearance evoked profound "nostalgia among fans and music lovers across both banks of the Congo River, in Africa, and beyond". TPOK Jazz was twice honored as Best Orchestra of the Year. In 1982, the band released the album Princesse Kiku, which included compositions by Franco ("Princesse Kiku"), Pépé Ndombe ("Mawe"), and Josky ("Nostalgie Tanzi"). In 1987, Dalienst rejoined TPOK Jazz and released his debut solo studio album Mamie Zou, produced by Franco and performed with members of TPOK Jazz.

Legacy In December 2001, a commemorative event was held on the terrace of the Officers' Mess (Mess des Officiers) in Brussels, featuring performances by the orchestra Bana Poto-Poto under Bienvenu Roland Faignond, and by musicians Dizzy Mandjeku, Michel Sax, Franck Nkodia, Domsis, Dave Makondele, Malage de Lugendo, Verckys Kiamuangana Mateta, Jeannot Bombenga, and Jean Serge Essous, who performed the hits of Les Grands Maquisards. Their union influenced his work, inspiring many of his romantic compositions, evident in the songs "Mamie Zou" and "Dodo" from his 1987 album Mamie Zou.