Singer Sam Mangwana with his band known as Festival de Maquisards, Kinshasa, Congo (Democratic Republic)

Since the late 1950's, Congolese music has had a profound impact on most African countries south of the Sahara and enjoyed a following that stands uncontested by any other African style of popular music. Long-standing bandleaders like the late Franco Luambo Makiadi and his T.P. O.K. Jazz and Tabu Ley (Seigneur Rochereau) with his band Afrisa International (formerly African Fiesta National) have established themselves as truly Pan-African superstars. The only name to be added to this exclusive list is that of singer Sam Mangwana. Not only has he been a member of O.K. Jazz as well as African Fiesta / Afrisa, but he has also been cited by both Franco and Tabu Ley as their favourite vocalist. And unlike any other contemporary African artist, Sam Mangwana has travelled the width and breadth of the continent and taken musical influences into his repertoire from all parts of Africa. This photograph was taken when Eliot Elisofon was on assignment for Westinghouse Film and traveled to Africa from October 26, 1970 to end of March 1971.