Ntesa Dalienst

1946–1966: Early life and career beginnings Daniel Ntesa Nzitani was born on 30 October 1946 in Kinsiona, Cataractes District, Bas-Congo (now Kongo Central), in the Belgian Congo (later the Republic of the Congo, then Zaire, and today the Democratic Republic of the Congo). He began his education in 1951 at Christ-Roi in Kasa-Vubu, Kinshasa, under Catholic instruction. In 1956, at the age of ten, he established a youth orchestra called Motema Jazz, performing with improvised instruments, including tin cans and handcrafted guitars. During this period, he attended a Catholic missionary school in N'Djili, where he participated in the choir and received training in liturgical music. Dalienst joined Festival des Maquisards, which also included Lokombe Bola Bolite, Dizzy Mandjeku, Jean Bokosa (Johnny), Michelino Mavatiku Visi, and Diana, who had recently departed African Fiesta National. Dalienst, feeling uncertain and considering a return to Vox Africa, was advised by Dizzy Mandjeku to establish a new orchestra, which led to the formation of Les Grands Maquisards with the support of Verckys Kiamuangana Mateta, and with Lokombe and Diana rejoining the project. Les Grands Maquisards' emergence marked a significant moment in the Congolese music scene, alongside prominent bands such as African Jazz, led by Joseph Athanase Tshamala Kabasele (Le Grand Kallé); OK Jazz, led by Franco Luambo; African Fiesta National, led by Tabu Ley Rochereau; African Fiesta Sukisa, led by Nico Kasanda (Docteur Nico); Centrale; and Bamboula, led by Papa Noël Nedule. According to the Agence d'Information d'Afrique Centrale, their sudden disappearance evoked profound "nostalgia among fans and music lovers across both banks of the Congo River, in Africa, and beyond". TPOK Jazz was twice honored as Best Orchestra of the Year. In 1982, the band released the album Princesse Kiku, which included compositions by Franco ("Princesse Kiku"), Pépé Ndombe ("Mawe"), and Josky ("Nostalgie Tanzi"). In 1987, Dalienst rejoined TPOK Jazz and released his debut solo studio album Mamie Zou, produced by Franco and performed with members of TPOK Jazz. The album contained four songs "Mamie Zou", "Dodo", "Nalobi na ngai rien", and "Batindeli ngai mitambo", and was noted for its tender melodies and themes of love. In "Mamie Zou", a woman expresses gratitude to her husband for two decades of marital happiness, while in "Dodo", a husband longs for fifty years of marriage like their parents before them, pondering whether future generations will share such lasting love. In 1988, at the age of 41, Dalienst endeavored to revive Les Grands Maquisards, forming a new version of the orchestra brought together Belgian and Congolese musicians, among them saxophonist Didan. The band mainly performed in Brussels. Following Franco's death in 1989, Dalienst temporarily joined Champions du Zaïre, a band composed chiefly of TPOK Jazz's Brussels-based members. In 1990, he and Les Grands Maquisards released his last studio album Belalo, featuring Dizzy Mandjeku and Dieudos Makuanzi on guitar and Carlyto Lassa as vocalist. In 1994, Dalienst co-founded the orchestra Afri-Jazz, bringing together veteran musicians from Orchestre Afrisa International and TPOK Jazz alongside younger performers. The band's lineup included Wuta Mayi, Michelino Mavatiku Visi, Papa Noël Nedule, Shaba Kahamba, Youlou Mabiala, Bopol Mansiamina, Pompon Kuleta, Diasi, Ada Muangisa, Serge Kiambukuta, Michel Sax, Monglisha, Caien Madoka, Egide, Djudju, Salo, Armando, and Niau. Their only release, Frappe chirurgicale aérienne ("Aerial Surgical Strike"), came out in 1995 and featured eight songs. == Illness and death ==

In May 1996, Dalienst was admitted to Brussels' Saint-Pierre University Hospital after experiencing paralysis on the left side of his body. Despite the uncertainty surrounding his diagnosis, he remained hopeful about regaining his health. A surgical procedure later that month revealed the presence of an inoperable brain tumor. His health declined swiftly in the following weeks, and he died on 23 September 1996 at age 49. == Legacy ==

In December 2001, a commemorative event was held on the terrace of the Officers' Mess (Mess des Officiers) in Brussels, featuring performances by the orchestra Bana Poto-Poto under Bienvenu Roland Faignond, and by musicians Dizzy Mandjeku, Michel Sax, Franck Nkodia, Domsis, Dave Makondele, Malage de Lugendo, Verckys Kiamuangana Mateta, Jeannot Bombenga, and Jean Serge Essous, who performed the hits of Les Grands Maquisards. The program also included songs by Franklin Boukaka, Le Grand Kallé, Docteur Nico, and Tabu Ley Rochereau. The tribute featured speeches, testimonies, dancing, and an autograph session, attended by Dalienst's widow, Thérèse Mavata Nkue, and their children. During a later edition of the Kora Awards, the Malian singer Salif Keita, when invited by a Kinshasa television presenter to perform a song by a Congolese musician, chose Dalienst's "Muzi". In conjunction with these tributes, writer Jean-Claude Gakosso published the biography Ntesa Dalienst et la sublime épopée des Grands Maquisards. The 95-page work, presented in a semi-novelized format, documents Ntesa's life, the history of Les Grands Maquisards, and the broader music of the two Congos. == Personal life ==

In 1974, after a three-year courtship, he married Thérèse Mavata Nkue, with whom he had four children, including the singer Christelle Ntesa (known professionally as Christy Lova). Their union influenced his work, inspiring many of his romantic compositions, evident in the songs "Mamie Zou" and "Dodo" from his 1987 album Mamie Zou. ==References==