Muziekpublique

Courses overview

Congolese singing

Fredy Massamba

MABO - Lycée Maria-Boodschap - Rue de la Braie 22, 1000 Bruxelles

the course

Welcome to the Congolese Singing course, taught by the talented singer Fredy Massamba! Fredy is a well-known ambassador of the traditional music and heritage of Congo Brazzaville in Belgium. He draws inspiration from rumba ensembles, choral singing, the reggae of Bob Marley, tribal music, pygmy polyphonies, funk, and of course, the Ngoma, the great traditional Bantu drum.

In this course, you will learn about the rich tradition of Congolese singing and traditional songs, as well as the joy of singing collectively. Additionally, you will learn to sing in different harmonies and polyphonically. The course is open to all levels and everyone who loves to sing! Music theory is not required.

Fredy Massamba

Fredy Massamba grew up in Congo-Brazzaville and currently lives and works in Brussels. He inherited his love for music from his parents and discovered Congolese rumba by listening to the radio. At the age of fourteen, he joined a choir where he sang and played percussion. In 1991, he was one of the founders of Tambours de Brazza, with whom he achieved international success. He collaborated with artists such as Zap Mama, Didier Awadi, and Manou Gallo. In 2011, he released his first solo album, Etnophony, which was nominated for the African Kora Awards 2012 in Abidjan and gained attention in the European music scene. In 2013, his second album, Makasi, followed. Fredy Massamba is a singer-songwriter who combines elements of soul, funk, and African polyphonies in his work.