Personal Experience to see music: Siama Matuzungidi (Love Story with Dallas Johnson)

This is a great love story. I got a personal story. Not from me but two musicians. 

I was supposed to this months ago but things happened. I am ready to start now. Actually in October of 2019, I went to a event in Saint Peters, Minnesota. I met one musician that comes from the Congo area that was part of the Congo Wave in East Africa. 

I am referring to Siama Matuzungidi . If you don't know him well (which I did not know at all), he used to play with the late Kasongo wa Kanema. Now, I have heard of him before in the past. He used to work with the likes of Tshala Muana, Samba Mapangala and Kanda Bongo Man. That is impressive. He has had a spectacular career. 

It was a kid event in a Library. It was actually a touching event because kids got to learn about Congolese music through a man with his wife Dallas Johnson who is a classical but relaxed singer. Siama really has a good voice. He sang perfectly alongside with his wife Dallas. Unfortunately most of the songs they performed I forgotten except two. But their musical performances were flawless and well done. 

In fact, what was really good was Dallas's ability to showcase Congo almost as if we were in Congo itself showing the how the streets would be and how we would be probably be if there. That storytelling of imagination was too perfect and it makes me jealous because I wish I could do that but then again, God gives us all gifts his own way. Dallas is a great storyteller. 

The songs that I do remember was where joy was filled with the kids. They were Malembe and Ko-Yimbi Ko. Both performances were excellent and really I cannot forget them. I myself wanted to jump and sing but of course, I did not want attention so I just watched and did imagine how I would move. Ko-Yimbi-Ko is a known animation that every generations of Congolese music has done from Franco to Werrason. Siama's twist into it was well and he sang Kikongo perfectly without any worry. I enjoyed those performances. I will give the links to the songs.

MALEMBE 

KOYIMBIKO 

Now we get into a interesting of love story. I was planning on leaving 30 minutes after the concert. I took a few photos of the concert. Check my Facebook for the photos. I was going to take a few photos and everyone else was talking to Siama and Dallas. Then you won't believe how we got into conversation. It was Dallas who noticed me and I was shocked. I took a photo and I decided to talk to them a bit and it went longer than I expected. I asked Dallas how Siama and her met, she said that it was Siama that wanted her as his soulmate. She said that they met in Japan in a group full of musicians from different countries and then when Dallas was helping Siama with health concerns, Siama made it clear to her that they were going to be a couple. 

Then Dallas mentioned a interesting part of Siama. Apparently the kikongo he speaks is different than Kikongo one of his family members speaks in Bas Congo which is why another member of Siama's family has to translate for him. It can be tough because sometimes dialects of one language can be a serious problem. 

Here is where I became shocked. How did they become noticed by music programs? It was actually Dallas herself who made the moves. At one point, Siama and Dallas were struggling financially that led to Siama playing in the streets. Another shocker is that he never mentioned to Dallas that he used to be in big bands in Kenya or he collaborated with the likes of Kanda Bongo Man, Samba Mapangala and Tshala Muana. But at the same time, it is good because it shows that Siama is not an arrogant but simple and humble. Dallas then got into contact with Alastair Johnson who is the host of Muzikifan. That led to her discovering so much that Siama had done. It made it easy for them to apply for Minnesota music program and it has blessed their life for a long time. These experiences also humbled Dallas herself and she eventually got very emotional and I had no words. Dallas loves to speak her mind and she can be very vulnerable. I do love that dearly. 

I got to talk to Siama himself. He told me that he really enjoyed playing with the late Kasongo wa Kanema and he went to say that they were true friends during their time together. Also, he was living a decent life in Kenya and he said that it was his way of learning Swahili. Afterwards, I went to ask him about a Pepe Kalle associate. Djodjo Ikomo. For those who don't know before Empire Bakuba, Djodjo Ikomo was a major player of Congolese music in the Kenya scene. Since Siama was also popular, I proceeded to ask him about Djodjo Ikomo. He said "Of course I knew Djodjo Ikomo. I used to see him around and we would talk to each other without issues". I jokingly said that Djodjo went to sing with Empire Bakuba and he said that he knew. He did say that he wished that he had been closer to Djodjo Ikomo. 

One thing that I will say is that Dallas and Siama know how to perform very well. Unfortunately due to Covid-19, it has been probably tough on them. But I am sure as soon as Covid-19 is over, they will have it less difficult. They know good music. I hope that I can see them again. I enjoyed their performance. 

For more information Siama Matuzungidi and his past, check this link from Muzikifan of Alastair Johnson. I love you and you will love it. 

MUZIKIFAN: SHIKA