Biography
Simaro Massiya Lutumba Ndomanueno (19 March 1938 – 30 March 2019), popularly known as Simaro, was a soukous rhythm guitarist, songwriter and bandleader in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). He was a member of the seminal soukous band TPOK Jazz which dominated the Congolese music scene from the 1960s through the 1980s.
Simaro was born in Léopoldville, Belgian Congo, now Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, on 19 March 1938.
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According to Simaro, he joined Luambo Makiadi in 1961. Later Josky Kiambukuta joined them, and later still Ndombe Opetum came along. For a while, Youlou Mabiala and Madilu System played with OK Jazz, before they launched their own solo careers. For many years, Simaro served as the Vice President of the band and led the group during Franco's long trips to Europe during the 1980s. In 1974, he composed the band's hit song "Mabele" sung by Sam Mangwana, which earned him the nickname "Poet". In the late 1970s he was jailed at Makala Prison, along with Franco and other musicians, over two songs deemed obscene by the authorities. According to pundits, Lutumba is considered as one of the greatest poets, singers and philosophers of Congo music.
Discography
Simaro is credited with composing many songs for the band, including:
Likambo Zi Tu Zoto Esilkata Te - Sung by Michel Boyibanda, Josky Kiambukuta and Sam Mangwana
Oko Regretter Ngai Mama - Sung by Michel Boyibanda, Josky Kiambukuta, Wuta Mayi and Lola Checain
Bodutaka - Sung by Sam Mangwana, Michèl Boyibanda, Josky Kiambukuta and Lola Chécain
Mabele - Sung by Sam Mangwana
Eau Benite - Sung by Madilu System
Maya - Sung by Carlyto Lassa
Testament ya Bowule - Sung by Malage de Lugendo
Vaccination - Sung by Kiesse Diambu
Ebale ya Zaire - Sung by Sam Mangwana
Faute Ya Commercant - Sung by Sam Mangwana
Cedou - Sung by Sam Mangwana, Michel Boyibanda & Franco
Bisalela - Sung by Youlou Mabiala, Josky Kiambukuta, Michel Boyibanda and Wuta Mayi
Mbongo - Sung by Djo Mpoyi
Salle d'attente - Sung by Ferre Gola, Josky Kiambukuta, M'bilia Bel and Papa Wemba
Kadima - Sung by Djo Mpoyi
Following the death of Franco in 1989, Simaro met with the family of the late band leader and agreed to split revenue 70% to 30% with the family. Simarro would take care of the musicians and the family would take care of the lawyers, record labels and other technical stakeholders. However, in 1993, OKJazz split up over disagreements in the way funds were being shared. In January 1994, Simaro formed Bana OK, with the majority of the musicians from OKJazz, about thirty of them.
Simaro Massiya Lutumba died in a hospital in Paris, France, on Saturday 30 March 2019.
Biography text from Last.fm, available under CC BY-SA.