| Arbogaste Mbella Ntone | |
|---|---|
| Born | (1941-10-06)6 October 1941 Douala, French Cameroon |
| Died | 2 October 2024(2024-10-02) (aged 82) Paris, France |
| Nationality | Cameroonian |
| Occupation | Singer |
Arbogaste Mbella Ntone (6 October 1941 – 2 October 2024), known as Arbo, was a Cameroonian singer of gospel and Gregorian chants.
Biography
Born in Douala on 6 October 1941, Mbella grew up with a passion for music and football, initially playing as a midfielder for Léopard Douala. However, he abandoned football to follow a musical career. He grew up playing a variety of instruments, namely the organ, piano, and guitar, and he became close with the pastor Adolph Lotin Same [fr], the father of Eboa Lotin. He then performed gospel songs alongside great Cameroonian musicians such as Francis Bebey and Manu Dibango.
Mbella achieved success with song titles such as "Edube Na Loba" and "Dipita". In 1974, he moved to France to follow professional pursuits, where he directed several choirs, such as La clef des Champs de Béthune and La Rudelière de Saint-Quentin. He defined his career with gospel performances, particularly at jazz festivals and religious environments. He was the first African to win the Prix d'Interprétation of SACEM. In 2000, he was awarded the Prix Bayard d'Or. His most notable collaborations included the Golden Gate Quartet, Manu Dibango, and Rhoda Scott.
Mbella Ntone died in Paris on 2 October 2024, at the age of 82.
References
- ^ Owona, Roger (January 1992). "Arbo Mbella vendredi dernier au Hilton - C'était beau". Cameroon Tribune (in French).
- ^ "Nécrologie : décès de l'instrumentiste camerounais Arbogaste Mbella Ntone". Actu Cameroun (in French). 2 October 2024. Retrieved 2 October 2024.
- ^ Ketchiemen, Arol (2021). Les icônes de la musique camerounaise (in French). Les éditions du Muntu. ISBN 978-2-492170-09-6.
- Nyobia, Alliance (21 January 2010). "Cameroun: Langues - Le duala en chantant". allAfrica (in French). Retrieved 2 October 2024.
- ^ Etoundi Mballa, Patrice (27 December 1991). "Arbo chante au Hilton". Cameroon Tribune (in French).
- "Biographie". arbogaste.com (in French).
- "GOSPEL: Jean Lacroix Kamga chante Arbogaste Ntone Mbella". JMTV (in French). 18 March 2020. Retrieved 2 October 2024.
External links
- Arbogaste Mbella Ntone discography at Discogs