> On November 8 at the Fillmore in New York City, leading star of Congolese pop, J.B. Mpiana made his New York debut, backed by the full-force juggernaut of his band Wenge BCBG, straight from Kinshasa.  The gig was billed as a celebration of Obama’s election, but you got the feeling that, pleased as these 20-odd musicians, singers and dancers may have been to see an American president with African heritage, they can put up a party for any occasion.  Party ambiance is what they do!

The show started late (well after midnight), and J.B. himself did not saunter onstage—flanked by two African angels who danced gleefully and never left his side—until 1AM.  But the gig was worth staying up for, the most visceral shot of the joyfully orchestrated chaos that is today’s Congo music an American audience has been treated to in some years.  Banning Eyre was there with his camera, and here are a few images to capture the spirit of this rare night of rumba rowdiness in the Big Apple.




















































































































Contributed by: Banning Eyre

First published: www.afropop.org