Soukous singer/guitarist/percussionist Samba Ngo was born in the former Zaire and moved to the Congo as a teenager, whereupon he joined his first band, Echo Noire. After performing with African Rhythms and M'Bamina, Ngo relocated to the West Coast of the United States in 1986, where he began working with jazz musicians like Herbie Hancock and Bill Summers; Ngo also formed his own band, the Ngoma Players. Ngo's 15-plus album releases include 1998's Metamorphosis. ~ Steve Huey, Rovi