Nsimba Foggis and Taxi Pata Pata
Nsimba Foggis and Taxi Pata Pata ‘combine the beat of the bush with the heat of the city’ quoting NME and are one of the UK's best (so say Andy Kershaw, Charlie Gillett and thousands of fans) - and best loved African bands, led by the inimitable Nsimba Foggis (‘as sweet a voice as you would never hope to hear’ - Wire) – playing soukous, Pan-African vibes, UK massive style - as sharp as ever! Sizzling guitars, pulsating rhythms topped with beautiful vocals creating an irresistible party atmosphere. Taxi Pata Pata is about movement and pleasure – find out for yourself!
Nsimba Foggis and Taxi Pata Pata were the first UK based African band to get a BBC Radio One live session and took Andy Kershaw’s then show by storm. Directed by the inimitable Nsimba Foggis, Taxi Pata Pata play soukous, the irrepressible rippling guitar dance music of the Democratic Republic of Congo (formerly Zaire) infused with pan African influences and seasoned with a London vibe, topped with the finest vocals.
Born in Kinshasa to
parents skilled in Kicongo folkloric music, Foggis charmed the congregation
at the church where his father was a lay preacher, with his beautiful
voice and musical ability from a very young age. He later honed his remarkable
talent at the Music Conservatoire in Luanda, becoming a key trombone player
and vocalist with the top band – Super Marenga - before coming to
London to take his music further where he was snapped up immediately by
no less than three bands at once.
Nsimba Foggis is one of the foremost London-based African (Congolese)
Musician/Composer/Bandleader/Educationalists. His band TAXI PATA PATA
is titled ‘Best African band’ ‘Soukous maestros’
from leading journalists and critics and is essential for any festival,
event or club. Style: scintillating soukous with pan african/global elements
– rippling guitar, elastic bass, precision yet intuitive drumming,
topped with the sweetest vocals ever (Nsimba).packaged with dynamic dance
moves – guaranteed to delight!
TAXI PATA PATA were the first UK-based band with a Radio 1 session. Nsimba’s compositions /arrangements are superb informed by music training in Congo/Angola and experience composing from childhood alongside his parents’ respected folkloric/church background in Kinshasa. Nsimba is also branching into Afro-jazz + mainstream productions.
As Artistic Director of Taxi Pata Pata African Arts, Nsimba is an experienced and skilled workshop leader, who has done extensive work for Shape + Local Authorities with all abilities including special needs and master classes. He successfully organises community workshops, most recently at Edward Woods Community Centre - collaboration between TPP African Arts & African Engombi. He is starting a new partnership with BBC’s Community Initiatives.
Discography includes:
Albums: Aime Bebe ; Makumba - Nyrangongo records
Awards include Golden Rose for Best Use of Music in Advertising (TDK with
[the late great] John Peel)
Nsimba Foggis and Taxi Pata Pata
Nsimba Foggis
Taxi Pata Pata at White Citygion4
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