Author Topic: Johnny Bokelo was something else  (Read 2379 times)

bencuri on: November 05, 2025, 05:15

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Have just stumbled upon this video. It makes me feel this guy represented a third direction besides the style of African Fiesta and OK Jazz. His playing style is quite unique. I didn't realize so far that he played solo. The choruses are similar to OK  jazz, but the solo is a different approach.




Franco Pepe Kalle #1 on: November 06, 2025, 01:14

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I am glad you posted this. I am glad that Bokelo played solo in this performance but usually on his albums, he would play either rhythm guitar or misolo guitar. Actually Bokelo is in the same school as Franco. Bokelo and Franco are part of the Odemba school which was created by Bokelo's older brother and Franco's mentor Dewayon who would make Conga Jazz and CoBantu. It was Dewayon who taught Bokelo and Franco to play the guitar. In fact Bokelo and Franco were part of the group led by Dewayon called Watam. Then eventually Bokelo and Franco got kicked where Franco would form OK Jazz which later on become Le TPOK Jazz and Bokelo would go to form his group Conga Success before he recalled the group Mbonda Africa. Bokelo was not lucky as Franco would become an icon as well as Tabu Ley while Bokelo would be a big name but not at level of Franco or Tabu Ley. I am sure Bokelo and Franco were fuming when their former boss Dewayon released his song Nyama ya Zamba but it got banned by Mobutu due a reference to his name as Joseph.

bencuri #2 on: November 06, 2025, 01:45

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You can actually hear that the style of Dewayon and Bokelo are similar. But Bokelo played with a different technique than Franco. You can see that in the video too. The solos are different, the rest of the song is very similar to OK Jazz though. To me it sounds as if the playing style of Bokelo would be a transition between the Odemba and later styles like the one Zaiko started popularizing, namely Manuaku.

On the other hand at the moment it seems to me Bokelo played much more stuff on records than people think. The solos on records sound very similar to the one that you can hear in the video, while others playing in his band play differently. For this reason it is hard for me to believe he did not play certain solos on records. I think this question should still be researched and verified. Dizzy Mandjeku should be asked how it actually happened. Or Roxy Thimpaka could tell about it as well, because I saw him playing similar stuff on interviews. I think he might have observed this playing style in the past and maybe would have a clue.
« Last Edit: November 06, 2025, 01:49 by bencuri »

Sydo #3 on: November 07, 2025, 11:06

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My favourite tracks by him





Formerly Musiquezairoise

bencuri #4 on: November 08, 2025, 01:31

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All are great songs!

The one I posted the concert video of, which song is that? Do you know the title?