Bio

Felix Ngindu Kasanganayi was born in the heat and humidity of Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo (formally known as Zaire), into a typical African family surrounded by Aunts, Uncles, brothers and sisters.

At the tender age of just three he was already playing in the Gospel church; playing the Tumba (Mbonda) known as African Conga and singing along. Felix was a locally known drummer by the age of just twelve and was already seeing himself on stage with the likes of Kanda Bongoman, Koffi Olomide …. etc etc.

At the age of eleven he was sent away to boarding school where he was always trying to skip school and play the drums. By sixteen he was finally able to find his niche at school and both play the drums wherever he could and take up his love of art and textiles.

He finally left school at 17 where he finally had the freedom to explore his drumming and his art. For the next six years Felix was playing round the clubs in Kinshasa trying to find his way and getting himself known in the music business.

His father(Papa Kapuku badibake) was a laboratory technician in General Hospital in Congo (Mama Yemo) and his mother a devoted wife who died at a very early age (Maman Bakatwabanya Helene). Felix had an older brother who also died when he was very young. He also has a younger brother and sister both still alive and well.

In his early 20’s his true talent was really beginning to show. He started playing with the likes of Lokwa Kanza (Before to travel in cameroun, he plays with many others Bands and musicians in D.R of Congo…………………..) etc.. He had a special talent that several people began to realise. He spent much time also in the village with no electricity where he used to take up and play the drums ( Djembe) with the younger children. He took this up to vary his own percussion experience and learnt how to hunt animals, skin them and use the skin to make his own variety of drums.

Eventually he was given the opportunity to travel around Africa including Kenya, Ivory Coast , Island of Madagascar , Guinea Malabo, Nigeria and Congo Brazzaville, Benin Cotonou, Uganda before travelling round France and Belgium then settling in Cameroon. While in Cameroon he started working with initially his own band called Etoile du Zaire (Star of Zaire) then joined several of the well known bands and musicians in Cameroon like Donny Elwood, Jean Pierre Essome, Ottou Marcelin, Katino, Mpande Star, Rosine Ebessa , Grace Decca to name but a few.

Another of his talents were shown when Felix started teaching and performing at the French International School (Le Flamboyant), teaching young white children from all over the globe. These were mostly from pretty well off parents, living in a luxurious area just outside the centre of Yaounde, before travelling back to France. Felix has managed to get himself well known in Liverpool (the Capital of Culture) both as a teacher and before that through his busking when he first arrived in this country and from time to time even now when he has a free moment or two.

His talent has been much praised here both by non musicians and by professionals, playing behind the big screen where he is seen in the heart of the city centre. Since coming here he has already traveled to several countries round Europe with his family through contacts and musical events.

He has performed several times with one of his greatest mentors, Kanda Bongoman, in England (both north and south) as well as during a trip to Australia (Adelaide) for the Womad Festival. He has played at the Isle of White Festival, Womad Festival in Reading 2006, Manchester International Arts Festival in 2005, Africa Day in 2007, Slavery Remembrance 2006 and the Matthew Street Festival 2006.