Black Atlantic:
Orchestre Les Mangelepa
Kenya/Congo

Saturday, April 11, 2020 | 8:00 pm

Motorco Music Hall

Thursday, February 20, 2020:
Due to unavoidable circumstances arising from a temporary medical development, Orchestre Les Mangelepa has canceled its upcoming United States tour in April. Duke Performances has canceled Orchestre Les Mangelepa’s presentation on Saturday, April 11 at Motorco Music Hall as part of the Black Atlantic festival.

Tickets purchased with a credit card will be refunded to the card of purchase within 8-10 business days. Tickets purchased via check payment will receive a check reimbursement sent to the address on record within 6 weeks.

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The ‘Black Atlantic’ package — which provides access to all five ‘Black Atlantic’ shows at Motorco, including performances by Natu Camara, David Virelles, Cha Wa, Etienne Charles, and Cimarrón — and single tickets, including $10 Duke student tickets, are now on sale. Packages and single tickets can be purchased online, via phone at 919-684-4444, and in person at the Duke University Box Office, Tuesday through Friday, 11 AM to 6 PM.

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Few bands can claim the long-standing respect and relentless spirit that makes for Kenya’s celebrated Orchestre Les Mangelepa. Originally from the Congo, the group has become one of East Africa’s most treasured sources of dance fusion, merging Kenyan benga and traditional Congolese rumba inspired by the band’s expatriate background. The result? A vivacious yet harmonious blend of snare, heavy brass, and serenading vocals that categorizes the hallmark sound fans of Orchestre Les Mangelepa still cherish today. Now in its fifth decade, the group continues to move feet and uplift spirits in Kenya’s capital, Nairobi, the band’s official birthplace. Since forming in 1976, Orchestre Les Mangelepa has released thirteen albums and is responsible for several of Kenya’s most popular East African dance songs. Orchestre Les Mangelepa pulls from its extensive catalog for this rare stateside show at Motorco Music Hall.

"...Orchestre Les Mangelepa are as potent today as they were in the 1970s, when they sported platform shoes and became dancefloor heroes across east Africa.”