(b Sona Bata, Bas-Zaïre region, Belgian Congo [now the Democratic Republic of the Congo], 6 June 1938; d Belgium, 12 Oct 1989). Congolese guitarist, singer and composer. Known as the ‘Sorcerer of the Guitar’, Franco made his first professional recording at the age of 14. When only 18 he formed the studio band Orchestre Kinois Jazz, a group which would later became known as the OK Jazz. Franco and the OK Jazz were fortunate to land European recording contracts in the 1960s, and their efforts introduced a more indigenized version of the African-Cuban rumba that was overwhelmingly popular at that time, drawing on Congolese musical materials. These efforts were in part a response to President Mobutu’s authenticité movement. Franco recorded approximately 150 albums and composed roughly 1000 songs. The OK Jazz recording and performing ensemble was large, with up to 40 performers at any one time on the band’s payroll. OK Jazz became one of the most important and most frequently recording bands in Africa.
The music of the OK Jazz is primarily social dance music, although Franco often used his songs to project commentary and criticism of contemporary Zaïrean society. This tradition continued in one of his last recordings, with Sam Mangwana, the song Attention na Sida (‘Beware of AIDS’), released in 1987, that used traditional Central African rhythms to communicate AIDS awareness. Franco was presented with his country’s Grand Order of the Leopard, and later was awarded the title Grand Maître.
L.L. Kelaka: ‘A batons rompus avec Luambo Makiadi’, Lokole, xxix (1987), 33
L.L. Kelaka: ‘Luambo et le Tout Puissant OK Jazz: trente ans de rythmes trépidants’, Lokole, xxix (1987), 27–31
G. Ewens: ‘Passing of the Sorcerer’, West Africa, no.3766 (1989), 1760
G. Ewens: ‘Heart of Danceness’, World Music: the Rough Guide (London, 1992), 313–23
G. Stewart: ‘Toujours O.K.: Franco and l’Orchestre O.K. Jazz’, Breakout: Profiles in African Rhythm (Chicago, 1992), 26–33
G. Ewens: Congo Colossus: the Life and Legacy of Franco and OK Jazz (North Walsham, 1994)
Franco et le Tout Puissant O.K. Jazz, Sonodisc CD 8461 (1989)
Somo! Heritage de Franco Luambo, Tamaris CD 91006 (1991)
Franco et l’OK Jazz (Mujos, Simaro et Kwamy): 1960, 1961, 1962, Sonodisc CD 36511 (1992)
Franco et l’OK Jazz: 1970, 1971, 1972, Sonodisc CD 36514 (1992)
Franco et TP OK Jazz: 1967, 1968, Sonodisc CD 36518 (1992)
Franco, Vicky et l’OK Jazz: 1963, 1965, 1966, Sonodisc CD 36521 (1992)
Franco et l’OK Jazz, Sonodisc CD 36522 (1992)
Humanité, Sonodisc CD 61404 (1992)
Franco, Sam Mangwana et le T.P. OK Jazz, Sonodisc CDS 6860 (1994)
African Cavalcade: the Glory Days of African Music, RetroAfric RETRO11CD (1996)
GREGORY F. BARZ