Singer Carlyto Lassa funeral plans hang in the balance between US, France and DR Congo
Congolese gospel musician and preacher Carlyto Lassa.
As the rhumba music fraternity mourns the death in the United States of one of its greatest stars, Congolese singer and preacher Carlyto Lassa, there is so far no clear indication of the beginning of funeral arrangements.
Carlyto collapsed and died in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he had arrived for a series of religious performances.
Remembered for his great lead vocals on mega TPOK Jazz and Choc Stars band hit songs, he has in recent years been a revered pastor and gospel singer.
Speaking to the Nation earlier last week, his Brussels-based compatriot and fellow singer, Nana Akumu, said she had been in contact with some of Carlyto’s associates in the US, who said they would soon release his funeral programme.
“It is still not clear whether the church leaders, who were his hosts, may prefer to have his body flown to Paris, where he spent a large part of his gospel singing career, or to Kinshasa,” she said. His body is lying in a morgue in Cincinnati. Carltyo, like most of his compatriots, relocated to Europe from DR Congo, but most of his musical and social and musical ties have remained there.
According to Paris-based veteran singer and composer Nyboma Mwandido, they expect to get the funeral details from those who had invited him to the USA. “There is a likelihood of the church taking charge of the funeral arrangements with his family,’’ Nyboma added.
Before switching to gospel music, he had an excellent secular entertainment career, and is best remembered for his lead vocals on the 1984 mega TPOK Jazz hit, Maya, which was composed by Lutumba Simaro Massiya, the deputy band leader for many years. He later joined the vibrant Choc Stars band after leaving TPOK Jazz in the mid-198Os.
Many Lingala music fans fondly remember his melodious voice on many other popular songs. They include former TPOK Jazz guitarist Nedule Papa Noel’s Bon Samaritain hit. His popular solo recordings include Tala Muana na Mpate, Makolo ya Massiya”, Reconnaissance and Osukola.
