Syran Mbenza

Syran Mbenza (or M’Benza; born May 31, 1950) is a guitarist, originally from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, who has lived in Paris since about 1981. He has recorded and performed prolifically over five decades, including as a solo artist; as one of the four members of the popular soukous "supergroup" Les Quatre Étoiles; as a founding member of the acoustic, Congolese rumba revival band Kékélé; in other bands; and in support of numerous artists. He has been described as one of the greatest guitar players of Africa.

Career and history Early years: Congo/Zaire (1950 to early 1970s) Mingiedi "Syran" Mbenza was born on May 31, 1950, in a family of six, in Leopoldville (now Kinshasa), in what was then the Belgian Congo (and was later the Republic of the Congo, then Zaire, and is now the Democratic Republic of the Congo).

Mbenza began to play guitar at about age 11. He grew up hearing the music of Franco Luambo, and taught himself to play guitar in Franco's style. He played in a number of local bands, and learned from "Docteur Nico" (Nicolas Kasanda) of African Jazz. (This list is included in several thumbnail biographies of Mbenza, though not confirmed by the few available sources on those bands, e.g. a list of renowned musicians with early experience in Jamel Jazz. )

He then joined the band Lovy du Zaire, formed in 1971 or 1972 by Victor "Vicky" Longomba, who was previously a co-founder of OK Jazz and afterward a member of African Jazz. Other later-famous musicians in Lovy du Zaire included Bumba Massa, Youlou Mabiala and Mose Se Sengo (Mose Fan Fan).

Beginning of musical career: Zaire and West Africa (1970s) After leaving Lovy, Mbenza decided to become a professional musician, working with a group called Orchestre Kara (or Kara de Kinshasa) in a nightclub with the same name.

In 1978 Mbenza moved to, in the words of Congolese-music historian Gary Stewart, "what looked — from downtrodden Kinshasa at least — like the more prosperous climate of West Africa," initially Lomé, Togo. In Congolese music the mi-solo, or half-solo, guitar plays a part "between the solo guitars and the rhythm guitars." Mbenza's work with Mangwana made his name in Congolese music circles. In 1990, the New York Times noted his lead guitar work on Mangwana's 1979 "Maria Tebbo," which it described as "a pan-African hit."

While in West Africa, in 1980, he recorded his first solo album, Kouame. North America, and East Africa. As one of a number of Congolese "session men" in Paris — other such guitarists included Diblo Dibala, Rigo Star Bamundélé, and Dally Kimoko — he was often called on by producers to play guitar on others' records, for which he received a flat fee, in addition to leading on his own records, for which he earned royalties. He continued to work often with Bopol, who had moved from Lomé to Paris at about the same time, usually with Mbenza playing lead guitar and Bopol playing rhythm guitar. Producers who engaged Mbenza included Eddy Gustave and his Eddy'Son label, Moumouni Outtara and Afro-Rythme, Richard Dick and Africamania, and Ibrahim Sylla and Syllart, as well as the Salsa Musique, Melodie, and Buda Musique labels. Mbenza released several more solo albums: Ilanga on Eddy'Son, Elisa Dangwa on Africamania, Sisika on Syllart, and Symbiose.

In 1982, initially for Outtara's label,

In 1988, Mbenza joined Congolese vocalists Passi Jo and Jean-Papy Ramazani to create a "side project" band called Kass Kass, which recorded several albums of high-energy, dance-floor soukous.

Kékélé was assembled under executive producer Ibrahima Sylla. the Australian Broadcasting Company, RootsWorld (concluding, "Mbenza and his associates here salute the man in fabulous fashion"), and Concertzender radio (Netherlands). The Indie Acoustic Project named it as one of three finalists for Best CD of 2009 in the World Music: Africa category.

Evaluations Mbenza has been one of the best lead guitarists in a genre of music that is, as he explained to The New York Times, guitar-driven.

Several published assesments have characterized Mbenza's guiter playing favorably. He has been described as “an exceptionally gifted guitarist,” “one of the best guitar virtuosos in Africa,” and “one of the world's finest guitarists.” One commentator described him as “the greatest living guitarist,” comparing him favorably with Carlos Santana and Ali Farka Toure. BBC broadcaster Andy Kershaw has also been quated as saying that Eric Clapton “isn't fit to tune Mbenza's guitar strings”.

Solo albums Kouame (Syran M'Benza & L'African All Stars) (1980) Ilanga (1983) Elisa Dangwa (1984) Sisika (1986) Bana ) Symbiose (Syran M'Benza with the Best of Paris) (1990

Featured With Other Artists Syran Mbenza & Bopol Masiamina [sic], The Best African Sound or Sambela (1987)

As a Band Member Vicky & Lovy du Zaire, (1971/1972/1973) (early 1970s singles, compilation released 1993) Orchestre Kara de Kinshasa, Orchestre Kara de Kinshasa (1979) Orchestre Kara de Kinshasa, Kiyika Masamba (Flamy) (1970s) Sam Mangwana & African All-Stars, vol. 1 (or Matinda) (1979) Les Quatre Étoiles, 4 Grandes Vedettes de la Musique Africaine (1983) Les Quatre Étoiles, 4 Stars (or Enfant Bamileke) (1984) Les Quatre Étoiles, Dance (1985) Kass Kass, Kass Kass (1987) Les Quatre Étoiles, 6 Hits / 6 Tubes (1987) Kass Kass, Kass Tout (1988) Les Quatre Étoiles, Zairian Stars Show in the US - Kilimanjaro Heritage Hall (1988, live) Maloko, Soul on Fire (1988 ) Pablo Lubadika, Concentration (1984) Wuta Mayi, Tout Mal Se Paie Ici Bas (1984) Lady Isa, Malembe (1986) Bopol Mansiamina, Belinda (1989) Fefe David Diambouana, Fefe David Diambouana or Mama Cathie (1980s?) Mayos, Muana Ngombo (1980s?) Passi-Jo & Kass Kass Connexion, Kayifi (1980s?) Wuta Mayi, Le Beach (1980s) Madilu System, Sans Commentaire (1993) Sam Mangwana, Rumba Music (1993) Pablo Lubadika, Okominiokolo (1994) Awilo Longomba, Moto Pamba (1995) Monique Seka, Okaman (1995) Mose Fan Fan & Somo Somo, Hello Hello (1995) Samba Mapangala and Virunga, Karibu Kenya (1995) Samba Mapangala and Orchestra Virunga, Vunja Mifupa (1997) Ricardo Lemvo & Makina Loca, Mambo Yo Yo (1998) Passy-Jo, Les Hommes Voltigeurs (1990s?) Sans Papiers, Sans Papiers (2000) Samba Mapangala & Orchestra Virunga, Song and Dance (2006) Madilu System, La Bonne Humeur (2007)