Orchestre Impala, one of Rwanda’s oldest and most influential music groups, will celebrate its 50th anniversary with a concert at Camp Kigali on November 28. The concert will mark five decades since the legendary Rwandan band was founded in 1975. Dieudonné Munyanshoza, a member of Orchestre Impala, confirmed the planned concert, saying more details about the event would be announced soon. “We have a concert on the date mentioned. We will soon announce other details, including tickets and the other artists on the lineup, among other details,” he said. Orchestre Impala was founded by five musicians, including its late bandleader and lead singer André Sebanani, drummer Abdul Latif Gasigwa, popularly known as Tubi Lando, trumpeter Fidèle Ngenzi, known as Jakari, guitarist Paul Sebigeri, known as Mimi La Rose, and composer Soso Mado. ALSO READ: Orchestre Impala: The rise, fall and resurrection of Rwanda’s premier band The group later recruited pianist Jean Berchmans Semutwa, known as Semu, as well as guitarists Jean Pierre Karimunda, popularly known as Kariwanjenje, and François Rubangura, known as Maître Lubangi. A year after its formation, the members decided to live together as they pursued their musical ambitions, renting a house in Nyamirambo. Their close bond and shared passion for music helped the group stand out from other artistes at the time. They won over audiences with songs that received radio airplay and their performances at concerts. The orchestra produced numerous popular songs, including Ni Nde Undirije Umwana and Nkumbuye Umwana Twareranywe, which helped establish its identity and cement its place in Rwanda’s music history. However, Orchestre Impala’s popularity began to decline following the loss of several of its leading members. Sebanani was killed during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, while Kariwanjenje and Semutwa, known as Semu, died in the years that followed. The group was revived in 2013 after Munyanshoza, who is also known for songs commemorating the Genocide against the Tutsi, expressed interest in bringing it back because of his long-standing love for its music. The revived Orchestre Impala featured two musicians from the original lineup—Sebigeri (Mimi La Rose) and Ngenzi—alongside other musicians, including Mibirizi. Following its return to the music scene, Orchestre Impala mainly performed at hotels and bars, focusing on igisope, a popular style of folk music. Despite its return to live performances, the orchestra has staged relatively few major concerts capable of attracting large audiences, with its members often viewed as veteran musicians rather than mainstream contemporary artistes. The November 28 concert at Camp Kigali will bring together the group and its fans to celebrate five decades of Orchestre Impala’s contribution to Rwanda’s music scene.
