Congolese ace solo guitarist Lambert Beresi has passed away. His death was announced on social media by Morden Miziki Congolese, a site dedicated to rumba music. According to the source, Beresi, popularly known as Bers, died in a hospital in Paris, where he had been admitted. He had been battling ill health since the COVID era in 2019.Beresi played with several bands both in the DRC and in Paris, but his most notable musical engagement, arguably the peak of his career, was as a soloist with Afrisa International in the mid-1980s. With this band, he contributed to at least three albums, earning him a place in the Congolese music hall of fame. He played in iconic songs such as Boya Ye, La Beauté d'une Femme, Ma Fille, and Nalingi Yo Linga Ngai, among others.
His entrance into the band was as mysterious as his tenure was impactful. At the time he joined Tabu Ley Rochereau’s band, appearing in both studio recordings and concerts, he was a student at the University of Sorbonne in France, as noted by seasoned rumba commentator Nyakwar Urah. He joined the band while it was based in Europe. Tabu Ley had been working with Dino Vangu, whose departure created a void that was temporarily filled by Damoiseau Kambite, a veteran who had also played with Grand Kalle in African Jazz.
Damoiseau later left the band while it was still abroad, prompting Ley to reach out to Lambert Beresi, who was then studying in France. Beresi had begun his musical journey as a teenager in Kikwit, playing with a band called Chi Chi Choc. He later joined Lubumbashi's Super Fiesta before forming another band with fellow university students, including King Kester Emeneya, who would later rise to fame with Victoria Eleison.
Beresi’s arrival at Afrisa was a major gain for Tabu Ley, whose band had consistently featured top-tier guitarists since its inception. Bers extensively toured Europe with Afrisa for four months, leaving a lasting impression with every performance. At that time, the band’s lineup included mi-soloist Brazzos Mpanga, saxophonist and manager Mekanisi Modero, Tabu Ley himself, Mbilia Bel, Pompon Kuleta, Dodo Munoko, Dave Makondele, and others. Tabu Ley’s journey with elite Congolese guitarists began during his time with Dr. Nico at African Fiesta, the predecessor of African Fiesta National. Nico himself was a pioneer of Congolese solo guitar.
Jean Paul Vangu, also known as Guvano, followed. He played with the band until December 1968, when he left alongside Sam Mangwana and others to form Festival des Maquisards. Guvano played in Mokolo Nakokufa. Guvano had come from a little-known band called The Blue Diamonds. After his departure, Pierre Mbumba, also known as Attel, took over the solo section. Attel performed in the famous Olympia concert in 1970. After Olympia, the band rebranded as Afrisa International. He played songs such as Hortense, among many others.
Michelino succeeded Attel. Initially a rhythm guitarist, Michelino transitioned to solo guitar and also performed at the Olympia concert, alongside rhythm guitarist Lokasa Ya Mbongo. He played in songs like Mongali. Michelino left in 1975, and the solo spot was taken by Pierre Mandjeku Lengo, known as Dizzy. Dizzy played at the famous FESTAC festival in Lagos in 1977 and featured in the song Mose Konzo.
Following his departure, Dino Vangu was joined, a formidable guitarist whose impact, according to mi-solo specialist Faugus Izeidi, significantly shaped the band’s style. Dino, who had previously played with Afrizam, contributed to many songs, including Nakeyi Nairobi. The legendary Dr. Nico briefly reunited with Tabu Ley, resulting in a few tracks. On his return, Nico played songs such as O'Hambe. Damoiseau Kambite briefly rejoined the band and featured in tracks like Maze before Lambert Beresi was brought in.
After Beresi’s departure, Huit Kilo joined the band and remains a member to date. Already an established name—having performed with Emeneya—Huit Kilo, also known as Nseka Bimwela, played solo guitar in Muzina, among other songs.Afrisa’s rich lineup of guitar legends firmly places the late Lambert Beresi among the greatest guitarists in Congolese music history. Details about his burial remain scarce, but it is most likely that he will be laid to rest in Paris.
By Jerome Ogola
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