Lea Lignanzi

Lea Lignanzi is a soukous musician from the Central African Republic Birth: 1956 in Mbata (Lobaye), C.A.R Style: Soukous and Congolese Rumba Centrafrican author, composer and performer, member of several groups (Makembé, Trio Bydoli and L'African All Stars of Sam Mangwana), Lea Lignanzi began a solo career in 1982 and became famous with his Soukous album Dédé Priscilla that sold for more than 100 000 copies attaining gold record status. Lea Lignanzi made his debut as a singer in the group Makembé then left the Central African Republic in 1979 for Nigeria in the company of his friends Bhy Gao and Domingo Salsero leading to the creation of Trio Bydoli. All three then went to Abidjan at the request of the Congolese singer Henri Bowane. Meeting an Ivorian producer soon lead the Trio to Kumasi, Ghana where they recorded their first lp. In 1980, Lea Lignanzi, Bhy-Gao and Domingo Salsero integrated L'African All Stars of Sam Mangwana, touring in Cameroon, France, Belgium, Gabon, Angola and Congo. In 1982, after the group disbanded, Lea Lignanzi began a solo career and released his first album, Dédé Priscilla which sold over 100 000 copies and earned him a gold disc. It will be followed in 1991 by the album Nelumta. In the course of his career, Lea Lignanzi will accompany many artists like Souzy Kasseya, Pamelo Mounk'a and Aurlus Mabélé¸. - Adapted from an article written by Sylvie Clerfeuille November 15, 2014 - © Afrisson