Beninese band Black Santiago was formed in Cotonou 1964 by trumpeter and bandleader Ignace De Souza. Since the early 2000s, Black Santiago is led by guitarist Goby Valette.
The band pioneered genres such as Afrobeat and Afrofunk and currently includes some of the oldest group of musicians from Afric still in activity.
The musicians play a wide range of styles, such as Congolese rumba, Afro-Cuban music, highlife, Afro-funk and Afrobeat.
Black Santiago still tours internationally. A new album is scheduled for release in 2022.
The lineup in 2021 included Baudouin Valette on percussion, bongos; Christophe Codji on vocals, percussion; Gildas Zounon on percussion, talking drums; Goby Valette on lead guitar, vocals, percussion; Gontrand Guedou on trombone, percussion; Idelphonse Gomez on vocals, percussion; Narcisse Loko on piano, percussion, vocals; Patrice M’boueke on bass; Prudence Ahlonsou on trumpet, vocals, percussion; and Roméo Okouade on drum set.
Partial discography:
Black Santiago (Disques Tropiques, 1974)
Honore Avolonto Et L’Orchestre Black Santiago (Disques Tropiques, 1978)
Singer Nahounou et l’ Orchestre Black Santiago* – Vol. 2 (Albarika Store, 1980)
Les Pyramides D’Afrique (Pyramides D’Afrique, 1980)
Abalo (Duku Ame Yeyina) (Editions Jojo, 1982)
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.