Biography

ALL ABOUT ME AND WHERE I AM FROM 

Who is OTIS LUMUMBA?

Otis Lumumba, based in London, was born in the Democratic Republic of Congo and started playing the guitar at the age of eight – as a boy he made his own guitar from a discarded sardine and milk boxes. Showing great promise, Otis then began playing in church and for family and friends and then, at 14 years old, was taught by Gaby Diomi, a Congolese guitar master with an international reputation. Gaby was to become a father figure for Otis teaching him the traditional styles of Rumba and Soukous and although he tragically passed away when Otis was 19, he remains a very strong influence.
 
After playing in a gospel band for two years Otis got his big break when he joined ‘Wenge Musica (Maison Mere)’ and with them began to tour worldwide. These tours took him throughout Africa and Europe where he played to sell-out stadium venues. After playing at ‘Zenith’ in Paris the group was nominated for two ‘Kora Awards’ for best African group of 2001 & 2002.
 
Since then Otis has continued playing across the world, including with Soukous superstar Kanda Bongo Man, with whom he has toured the world, playing in the US, Kenya, Ethiopia, Australia and Uganda. With both Kanda Bongo Man and with the top Soukous band Kasai Masai Otis has played across the UK, including at major music festivals such as Secret Garden, WOMAD, Wychwood and many more, as well as playing many gigs including at Camden’s Jazz Café.
 

Otis has also been fully trained to work with young people at different levels, and has worked in both primary to secondary schools in the UK, and is fully CRB/DBS checked. He is based in London and is available for guitar lessons for anyone with a desire to learn from beginner to advanced levels. Whether a beginner or already a guitarist, come and join Otis in one of his acclaimed classes and workshops.


Congolese guitarist wizard Otis Lumumba takes over from rhumba maestro | Nation —-> Please click on the news paper for more details.

Student References:

“Otis is a wonderful guitar teacher, and delivered hour-long guitar lessons to a small group of up to eight children- no easy feat with 4 and 5 year olds!  Our pupils learned simple chords, how to read music and even some school songs in just a few months.  We can’t wait to have Otis back again in September” Megan Hardy, Assistant Head Teacher for Inclusion and Achievement, School 21