CONGOLESE vocalist and musician Kanda Bongo Man will be joined by his live band for an appearance in Cumbria next week.

The man who single-handedly gave the world the infectious Kwasa Kwasa dance will be on stage at the Brewery Arts Centre, in Kendal, on Friday June 9.

A pioneer of African Soukous music, he was championed by John Peel and Andy Kershaw in the late '80s, and became a key figure in the introduction of world music to the mainstream.

His music can still be regularly heard on mainstream radio – especially BBC 6 Music and BBC Radio 3.

His music has always been driven by optimism and happiness, and his exhilarating performances are fast moving and exciting combinations of dance music and dance moves rooted deep in the Congolese tradition.

A festival favourite, Kanda Bongo Man tours with his multi-talented backing band. One of their biggest shows came in 2005 at the Live8 Africa Calling concert at the Eden Project, in Cornwall, while they have also appeared on BBC's Later with Jools Holland.

Kanda's first solo albums where Iyole in 1981 and Djessy in 1982, and the success of these albums launched his international career, leading to an invite from world renowned progressive rock musician Peter Gabriel.

Mr Kanda Bongo Man has also shared a stage with the late Grammy Award winner “Mama Africa” Miriam Makeba and Jamaican Reggae Musician Jimmy Cliff just to name a few.

He revolutionised soukous by encouraging guitar solos after every verse and even sometimes at the beginning of the song.

Although now based in Manchester, his UK appearances have been limited to one-off dates in recent years.

The show at the Brewery Arts Centre on Friday June 9 starts at 7.30pm. Tickets are available from the venue's box office.