Arbogaste Mbella Ntone

Arbogaste Mbella Ntone[1] (6 October 1941 – 2 October 2024), known as Arbo, was a Cameroonian singer of gospel and Gregorian chants.[2]

Arbogaste Mbella Ntone
Born(1941-10-06)6 October 1941
Died2 October 2024(2024-10-02) (aged 82)
Paris, France
NationalityCameroonian
OccupationSinger

Biography

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Born in Douala on 6 October 1941,[3] 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.[3] 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.[4] He then performed gospel songs alongside great Cameroonian musicians such as Francis Bebey and Manu Dibango.[5]

Mbella achieved success with song titled such as "Edube Na Loba" and "Dipita".[3] In 1974, he moved to France to follow professional pursuits,[5] where he directed several choirs, such as La clef des Champs de Béthune and La Rudelière de Saint-Quentin.[6] He defined his career with gospel performances,[7] particularly at jazz festivals and religious environments.[1] He was the first African to win the Prix d'Interprétation of SACEM. In 2000, he was awarded the Prix Bayard d'Or.[2] 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.[2]

References

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  1. ^ a b Owona, Roger (January 1992). "Arbo Mbella vendredi dernier au Hilton - C'était beau". Cameroon Tribune (in French).
  2. ^ a b c "Nécrologie : décès de l'instrumentiste camerounais Arbogaste Mbella Ntone". Actu Cameroun (in French). 2 October 2024. Retrieved 2 October 2024.
  3. ^ a b c Ketchiemen, Arol (2021). Les icônes de la musique camerounaise (in French). Les éditions du Muntu. ISBN 978-2-492170-09-6.
  4. ^ Nyobia, Alliance (21 January 2010). "Cameroun: Langues - Le duala en chantant". allAfrica (in French). Retrieved 2 October 2024.
  5. ^ a b Etoundi Mballa, Patrice (27 December 1991). "Arbo chante au Hilton". Cameroon Tribune (in French).
  6. ^ "Biographie". arbogaste.com (in French).
  7. ^ "GOSPEL: Jean Lacroix Kamga chante Arbogaste Ntone Mbella". JMTV (in French). 18 March 2020. Retrieved 2 October 2024.
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