Tchico Tchicaya

Affectionately known as "the golden voice of Africa," Tchico Tchicaya has crafted his unique style of soukous by blending African rumba with salsa, Afro-Latin, Cuban, and Caribbean influences. Tchicaya first attracted attention in the '80s as a member of Brazzaville-based band les Bantous de la Capitale. He occasionally collaborated with influential Zairean group OK Jazz Band and recorded with le Groupe Kilimandjaro and Tchico & the Officers. Together with vocalist Passi-Jo, he formed the soukous group Waranko Musica in the late '90s. In 2001, the band featured background singers and dancers Leona Chisala and Patrice Lumumba, percussionist Aho Lowani, drummer Robbie Avenaim, keyboards player Michael Havir, rhythm guitarist Jim Swanston, and bass guitarist Conrad Henderson.