By The Gospel River Qtet

This men’s group, formed in Montpellier in 2004, is one of the major Gospel projects founded in France by Emmanuel Pi Djob, such as Black & White gospel Singers, Black & White Xperience, Gospelize It! Mass Choir.

The project’s new version aims to build a bridge between diasporic Africas (especially Afro-America) and continental Africa.

Francis J. “Maestro” Biyong Nguéné

Tenor

Francis, a young opera singer of Cameroonian origin, is a student at the Perpignan Conservatory, where he is considered one of the most promising tenors in his year. Before specializing in opera singing, he gained solid experience as a performer of popular and religious music in Cameroon and Chad

Bénilde Foko

Bass guitar, vocals

His groove, both elegant and relentless, and his legendary calm make him one of the best bassists in the region.

He is the musical director of some of Pi Djob’s musical projects.

Emmanuel Pi Djob

Baritone, guitar, keyboards

Considered one of the masters of the genre in France, Spain and Cameroon, constantly forging his own unique path (usually well off the beaten track), Pi Djob has been involved in gospel music since he was very young, starting out in the choir of the Marie-Gocker parish in Yaoundé. He is one of the initiators of Go-Gospel (or Progressive Gospel), which, while having assimilated the Afro-American experience, makes it reflect the colours of the world and its current challenges.

Petis D. Likeng

Tenor, guitar, keyboards

Like his older brother Pi Djob, Petis Likeng is one of the masters of European gospel. Whether on stage, conducting a choir, in a professorial capacity, as a director or producer, he is a key figure.

In Europe as in Africa, he is considered one of the greatest contemporary composers of this music, with several hundred original compositions or top-flight arrangements to his name.

Rév. Anderson Moubitang

Bass, percussion

The pastoral ministry having somewhat distanced him from the stage, this singer, composer and arranger with a deep, smooth voice is finally returning to the stage. To do so, he has chosen to rejoin his former friends Petis Likeng and Pi Djob, with whom he had already founded the Black Cross Jubilee Quartet in the early 1980s in Yaoundé, before meeting up with them again in France, in the legendary Black & White Gospel Singers.

Joseph N’Tumba

Tenor, percussion, dance

“Jo” N’Tumba is a true living legend of the golden age of R&B and Hip-Hop in France, having co-starred in the fabulous Tribal Jams. A singer with a smooth, soulful voice and an emotional intensity, he is also an extraordinary dancer and choreographer. With By The Gospel River, Joseph returns to his first love, gospel singing, which he has always practiced in his family with his parents, brothers and sisters.

Sega Seck

Drums, percussion, vocals

A sensitive and attentive drummer, Sega is highly appreciated as much for his playing as for his extraordinary humanity.

From his beginnings in his native Senegal to the world’s greatest stages accompanying Omar Sosa, Xalam, Touré Kunda, Mory Kanté and Rhoda Scott, Mr. Seck illuminates with his smile all those who have the opportunity to see or hear him play.