PAPA NOEL NEDULE BIOGRAPHY

PAPA NOEL NEDULE BIOGRAPHY

BIRTH & EARLY LIFE

Papa Noel Nedule, born Antoine Nedule Monswet on December 29, 1940, in Kinshasa, DRC, was the son of a Lari father from Congo Brazzaville and a mother from the DRC.

GENESIS OF A MUSICAL JOURNEY

Papa Noel’s musical journey began early in life. Along with his fellow musician Celi Bitshou, he learned guitar from Bitshou's uncle, Daniel Loubelo (AKA De La Lune), a respected co-founder of OK JAZZ and Bantou Orch. This formative experience helped shape his distinctive guitar style. 

ADOPTING THE NAME NOEL

Contrary to popular belief, Papa Noel did not adopt the name Noel because he was born on Christmas Day. Instead, he drew inspiration from his idol, Leon Bukasa (whose name he reversed to form Noel), reflecting his admiration for Bukasa’s artistry.

MUSICAL CAREER JOURNEY

Papa Noel’s career in music began in 1956 when he joined Ngoma, playing alongside Leon Bukasa, who would later become his idol. In 1957, he showcased his talent as a soloist in Bukasa’s hit song Clara Badimuene.

By 1958, Papa Noel left Ngoma to join Rock-A-Mambo, where he performed with notable musicians like clarinetist Jean Serge Essous and saxophonist Nino Malapet. His versatility and technical skill quickly set him apart in the Congolese music scene.

In 1960, he moved to Gabon and joined Maquina Loca, a band led by Guy-Leon Fylla. Later that year, he joined Le Bantou De la Capitale, replacing Dicky (Tino Baroza's brother) as the new lead guitarist. During his time with Bantou, he composed songs such as Basili Koyokana and Mobali Liboso. However, in 1963, he departed from the band.

That same year, Papa Noel joined African Jazz after being in Vox Africa, helping rejuvenate the band after Grand Kalle had lost several key members, including Taby Ley, Dr. Nico and Iziedi who abandoned him during his wedding day.

 In 1967/68, he formed Orch. Bamboula with support from Franco, provided instruments with the intention to weaken African Jazz. (That is one way how Luambo was trying to attack his competitors). With Orchestra Bamboula he recruited Paul Mfoko (Bopol Mansiamina) as a rhythm guitarist, Gaspard Blaise (Pasco Wuta Mayi) as a vocalist, and Emmanuel Kiala (Aime Kiwakana) from Orch. Jamel as vocalist, Tino Mwinkwa as a Vocalist, Pires (Vocalist), Jeff Lunam as a saxophone player, and Mangeza as a Drummist. This period marked a high point in Papa Noel’s career, as Orch. Bamboula recorded hits like Confiance Perdue & Success Mambeta. The band, however, faced defections in the early 1970s, and by the end of the decade, it had disbanded.

In 1978, Papa Noel joined TPOK JAZZ under Franco's leadership. His time with the band marked some of the most fruitful years of his career, with his guitar solos blending seamlessly with the band's rhythms. Notable compositions from this era include Tangawizi, Mobali malamu, and Kizunguzungu, as well as his performances on tracks like Zala Sportif, Ekoti ya Nzube, and Je M'en Fou De Ton Passe among others. He would return to OK Jazz in the late 1980s and continue playing for a year after Franco's death in 1989.

LIFE AFTER TPOK JAZZ

In the early 1990s, Papa Noel moved to Brussels and attempted to form a band of Congolese musicians in exile, called MAXIRAMA. Though the project did not achieve widespread success, his solo work flourished. In 1994, he released Haute Tension, an album praised for its guitar-driven brilliance.

Papa Noel also contributed his talents to Sam Mangwana's 1998 album Galo Negro and toured with Mangwana in 1998 and 2000. In the mid-2000s, he joined Cuban guitarist Adan Pedroso for a memorable tour, culminating in the album Mosala Makasi (2001), which captured their dynamic performances.

In the following years, Papa Noel helped form the group Kekele, a collective of Congolese music veterans. However, his health suffered a setback in 2001 when he battled a severe case of tuberculosis, leading to a long period of convalescence. Nevertheless, he recovered and continued to perform and record, releasing CD Café Noir in 2007, an album that showcased his enduring talent.

LEGACY AND FINAL YEARS

Despite his extensive career and multiple collaborations, Papa Noel remained somewhat underappreciated by the general public, often overshadowed by other Congolese music giants like * Franco and Docteur Nico. Yet, among his peers and critics, he was universally acknowledged as one of the finest guitarists to emerge from the Congolese music scene. His contributions, especially during the creative peaks of the 1960s to 1980s, solidified his place among the greatest.

Papa Noel Nedule passed away on Monday, November 11, 2024, at the age of 83 after a long battle with illness. His passing marks the end of an era in Congolese music, but his legacy will continue to inspire future generations.

©️ Brian Adira

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