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Blanchard De Plaizir is a Singer songwriter, DJ, Performer, dancer, actor and Producer of Congolese music. Born in Kinshasa, The Democratic Republic Congo formerly known as Zaire, Blanchard grew up inspired by the music of Papa Wemba, Koffi Olomide, the Wenge Musica band and other renowned musicians in Africa. He developed his musical talent in gatherings of young people on the streets of Kinshasa, cooking up energetic interpretations of popular songs. His musical adventure began at the age of 10 with his school dance group and learned the art of dance. At the age of 12, He joined Traction Dallas a local band only for his parent to stop him. In 1998, De Plaizir moved to the UK and soon after decided to pursue his musical dreams.

In the year 2000, Blanchard moved from London to Manchester where he started DJ'ing at African parties and organising African music events in the Northwest and Yorkshire. In 2002, He committed himself to sharing his music and Congolese culture with the people of the city and United Kingdom, forming Britannia Rumba with other Congolese and African musicians. The band has 10 members made of musicians and Afro Queens dancers and can perform as a 4 piece acoustic set or a full 10 piece band with dancers. Since then, Blanchard de Plaizir and his Britannia Rumba band have built a strong reputation as one of the most exciting live music and dance groups in the North West. Firm festival favourites, they electrify the crowd with their infectious soukouss rhythm and dance wherever they appear. (To find out more about the artist, please visit www.deplaizir.com and www.myspace.com/deplaizir for bookings, email on management@deplaizir.com or call on + 44 (0) 7891 499 628) Blanchard de Plaizir is the driving force behind the band which entertains and inspires audiences at venues all round Manchester – G Mex, University of Manchester, Contact Theatre, The Zion Centre, The Green Room, The Royal Exchange Theatre, The Bolton Octagon Theatre, The Exodus Festival in Hulme Park, The Wigan One World Festival, Respect festival, Birmingham Mela Festival, The Womad Festival in 2005, The Telford warehouse music venue in Wales and many other venues across the Kingdom. Britannia Rumba is an innovative blend of rumba, Manchester’s music energy and modern music technology and opens up a new world of sound and rhythm to the live music going public. The band also provides a context for African musicians in the city to get together and develop their sound. Britannia Rumba is a living embodiment of spirit of their first album, Decolage (‘taking off’).

Other than making music and performing, Blanchard de Plaizir leads workshops on Congolese music, dance and culture in schools, universities and community centre across the Greater Manchester and the North West region such as The Royal College of music, Salford University, Manchester high school for boys, Sheffield University, Glossop Community School and many more.


In The year 2003, while still fully employed as an Accounting Technician at Tetrapak International, Blanchard created and set up Baz Connection Entertainment Ltd. Company Number 05511918 his own private music label to help promote his music, produce his records and to help promote other African artists in the UK. So far, the following albums have been released by Baz Connection Entertainment Ltd:

1.July 2004: “Decolage” a 5 track album with a video performed by the Britannia Rumba Band. The video has been screened on the BBC, OBE TV and other international online TV stations including letsgoglobal.tv. The songs from the album have been a hit on Austrian Radio 1 and many more community radio stations around the world.

2.July 2007: “Plaisir Ya Trop” Blanchard’s first solo album containing 8 tracks. Blanchard has taken his music to the next level by collaborating with some very experienced Congolese artists such as the lead guitarist Burkinafaso, Tshepe Tshepela and the young talented, London based Congolese Super stars Smokey, Jose Matondo and Mimitah. The album is selling well and getting played on BBC Radio 3, BBC Greater Manchester Radio and many other internet based stations around the world.

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