As part of the Sonic Pluriverse HKW present a great double bill open air on the Paulette Nardal Terrasse with The Congos and Manou Gallo both performing live.
The Congos is a Jamaican vocal group formed in the mid-70’s by Cedric Myton (October, 30th, 1947, St. Catherine, Jamaica; falsetto) and Roydel “Ashanti Roy” Johnson (April, 12th, 1943, Kendal, Hanover, Jamaica; tenor), later becoming a trio with the addition of Derick “Watty” Burnett (May, 20th, 1948, Portland, Jamaica; baritone), completing the classic line-up.
Myton started his career as a member of the group The Bell Stars in 1967, followed by The Tartans in 1968 (along with Prince Lincoln Thompson, Devon Russell and Lindburgh Lewis), and “The Royal Rasses” in 1971. Ashanti Roy attended Kendal School with Lee “Scratch” Perry, their mothers also being friends. At the age of sixteen he began hanging around recording studios, where he was taught guitar by Ernest Ranglin. He was a member of Ras Michael’s Sons of Negus in the early 70’s, as well as The Righteous Brothers (led by Vivian “Yabby You” Jackson and also featuring Albert Griffiths of The Gladiators).
Manou N’Guessan Gallo is a West African singer, bandleader and musician of African popular music, playing the electric bass guitar. Brought up by her grandmother, Gallo first performed at the age of 12 and went on to become a success, touring in various African countries such as Burkina Faso, Mali, Togo and Benin as well as recording four albums. When the group Woya eventually stopped, Gallo followed Marcellin Yacé to Abidjan. He gave her her first bass guitar and taught her about recording. Between 1993 and 1996, she also performed in theatre and dance troupes as well as playing on an album by Ray Lema. She eventually formed her own group, Le Djiboi, and toured extensively. Her debut album, Dida, was released on the IglooMondo label in 2003, followed by Manou Gallo in 2007. In 2011, she produced and played bass with the group Mokoomba on their album Rising Tide.
The Congos and Manou Gallo
Friday, 4th July 2025 | 20:00 CET
Haus der Kulturen der Welt | John-Foster-Dulles-Allee 10 in 10557 Berlin
