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Santana
Mongoley is a major guitarist and bandleader,
a leading light in the evolution of Congolese
dance music since the early seventies. All lovers
of African music will know what to expect when
the vocalist chants 'Mongo, Mongoley'; his
beautiful, searing guitar will leave you amazed
and ecstatic
Santana's entrance onto the stage of Zairean
music was truly dramatic; a precocious 16 year
old guitarist, he was spotted by the leading
youth band, LIPUA LIPUA in 1973, and under the
wing of the legendary producer Verckys he rose to
the leadership of this group before embarking on
his long career alongside the cream of Zaire's
musicians. By the end of the seventies, he was a
founding member of Papa Wemba's Viva La Musica,
and in 1983 , alongside Kester Emeneya and the
core of Viva's musicians, launched one of Congo's
best-loved bands, Victoria Eleison.
In the early nineties, this roving musician
settled in England where he has brought together
the best of Congo's talented singers and
instrumentalists in his own band, LES ZAZA, now
renamed VIVA CONGOLIA. Since then, this amazing
band has been thrilling fans of Congolese music;
Santana's unique guitar style, fusing African
folklore and jazz, has made him an inspiration to
other guitarists. Santana has rubbed shoulders
with the greats of Congolese music; Pepe Kalle,
Koffi Olomide, Papa Wemba, Vata Mombassa, Kilola
Wa Salai -
whenever the leading Congolese singers arrive
here on tour, Santana Mongoley is always the
first guitarist they call on. Santana has
featured on so many wonderful recordings, and has
produced his own CD, 'Save Your Life Robertino'.In
October 2000 he recorded a live performance which
will be released in March 2001, 'Live At Band On
The Wall Manchester',
featuring his new line-up which includes
musicians from Defao's Big Stars and Bozi
Boziana's Anti-Choc
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