Sam Mangwana

The Angolan born Sam Mangwana has been singing for most of his life. In his early years, Mangwana formally studied music as a member of the Salvation Army Chorus. While in his mid-teens, Mangwana began his professional career. At age 17, he became the lead singer of the group Tabu Ley Rocherau's Africa Fiesta. In addition to singing with the band for over 10 years, Mangwana appeared with other popular Soukous bands.

In 1976, he formed his own band called the African All Stars. In '86 their single, "Maria Tebba," became a huge soukous hit. He sings in seven different languages, African and European, and has toured extensively inside and outside Africa, justifying his tag as the "International Sam Mangwana" and the "Pigeon Voyager."

Mangwana serves up a blend of Cuban and Congolese sounds, seamlessly fusing them together. Mangwana's style is referred to as the Congolese rumba because he deftly takes Cuban styles and puts any number of Congolese (or Mangwanese) twists to it. —Courtesy Calabash Music