Simon Lutumba Ndomanueno Masiya, known professionally as Simaro, was a Congolese musician and composer born on 19 March 1938 in Leopoldville (now Kinshasa). He began his musical career with Micra Jazz before joining L'OK Jazz in 1961, where he gained prominence as a guitarist and songwriter. Simaro composed numerous popular songs, including "Mabele", which earned him the moniker "poet." In 1978, he was arrested for composing explicit songs for Franco Luambo Makiadi leading to incarceration. Following the death of Franco Luambo Makiadi in 1989, Simaro took leadership of T.P.O.K. Jazz and released several albums. After financial disputes, the group disbanded in 1993, leading him to form Bana OK with Josky Kiambukuta and Ndombe Opetum. Notable album releases include Eau bénite (1992) and Les Quatre Operations (1995). Simaro passed away on 30 March 2019 in Paris after retiring from performing a year earlier.
