Ray Lema
Encyclopedia
Raymond Lema A'nsi Nzinga, known as Ray Lema, is a Congolese
(DRC) musician born March 30, 1946 in Lufu-Toto, Bas-Congo Province.
Lema is a pianist, guitarist, and songwriter. He worked for the National Ballet of Zaire, as it was then called, and in 1979 was invited to the United States
by the Rockefeller Foundation
. By 1989 he had international success signing with Island Records
.
His initial training had been European classical music at a Catholic seminary where he had been planning to become a priest. His concert debut was Moonlight Sonata, but later he left the seminary and became interested in popular music from outside Africa. He became a performer in clubs and was a fan of musicians like Jimi Hendrix
. This was not entirely approved of in the Congolese music of that time. He later went to the United States
and Europe, settling in Paris
. He has also become a figure in world music
. He has also done work as a film composer.
Lema appears as a vocalist (and composer on three tracks) on Stewart Copeland
's 1985 album, The Rhythmatist.
In 2002, Lema appeared on a track titled "No Agreement" on the Red Hot Organization
's tribute album to Fela Kuti
, Red Hot and Riot alongside Res, Tony Allen
, Baaba Maal
, Positive Black Soul
and Archie Shepp
.
Democratic Republic of the Congo
The Democratic Republic of the Congo is a state located in Central Africa. It is the second largest country in Africa by area and the eleventh largest in the world...
(DRC) musician born March 30, 1946 in Lufu-Toto, Bas-Congo Province.
Lema is a pianist, guitarist, and songwriter. He worked for the National Ballet of Zaire, as it was then called, and in 1979 was invited to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
by the Rockefeller Foundation
Rockefeller Foundation
The Rockefeller Foundation is a prominent philanthropic organization and private foundation based at 420 Fifth Avenue, New York City. The preeminent institution established by the six-generation Rockefeller family, it was founded by John D. Rockefeller , along with his son John D. Rockefeller, Jr...
. By 1989 he had international success signing with Island Records
Island Records
Island Records is a record label that was founded by Chris Blackwell in Jamaica. It was based in the United Kingdom for many years and is now owned by Universal Music Group...
.
His initial training had been European classical music at a Catholic seminary where he had been planning to become a priest. His concert debut was Moonlight Sonata, but later he left the seminary and became interested in popular music from outside Africa. He became a performer in clubs and was a fan of musicians like Jimi Hendrix
Jimi Hendrix
James Marshall "Jimi" Hendrix was an American guitarist and singer-songwriter...
. This was not entirely approved of in the Congolese music of that time. He later went to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and Europe, settling in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
. He has also become a figure in world music
World music
World music is a term with widely varying definitions, often encompassing music which is primarily identified as another genre. This is evidenced by world music definitions such as "all of the music in the world" or "somebody else's local music"...
. He has also done work as a film composer.
Lema appears as a vocalist (and composer on three tracks) on Stewart Copeland
Stewart Copeland
Stewart Armstrong Copeland is an American musician, best known as the drummer for the band The Police. During the group's extended hiatus from the mid-1980s to 2007, he played in other bands and composed soundtracks...
's 1985 album, The Rhythmatist.
In 2002, Lema appeared on a track titled "No Agreement" on the Red Hot Organization
Red Hot Organization
Red Hot Organization is a not-for-profit, 501 3, international organization dedicated to fighting AIDS through pop culture.Since its inception in 1989, over 400 artists, producers and directors have contributed to over 15 compilation albums, related television programs and media events to raise...
's tribute album to Fela Kuti
Fela Kuti
Fela Anikulapo Kuti , or simply Fela , was a Nigerian multi-instrumentalist musician and composer, pioneer of Afrobeat music, human rights activist, and political maverick.-Biography:...
, Red Hot and Riot alongside Res, Tony Allen
Tony Allen (musician)
Tony Oladipo Allen is aNigerian drummer, composer, and songwriter who currently lives and works in Paris. He is currently writing his autobiography "Tony Allen: Master Drummer of Afrobeat" with author/musician Michael E...
, Baaba Maal
Baaba Maal
Baaba Maal is a Senegalese singer and guitarist born in Podor, on the Senegal River. In addition to acoustic guitar, he also plays percussion. He has released several albums, both for independent and major labels. In July 2003, he was made a UNDP Youth Emissary.-Biography:Born 12 November 1953...
, Positive Black Soul
Positive Black Soul
Positive Black Soul is a hip hop group based in Dakar, Senegal, one of the first such collectives in the country. Founded in 1989, the group is composed of Didier Sourou Awadi and Amadou Barry , both of whom had previously been in other hip hop groups...
and Archie Shepp
Archie Shepp
Archie Shepp is a prominent African-American jazz saxophonist. Shepp is best known for his passionately Afrocentric music of the late 1960s, which focused on highlighting the injustices faced by the African-Americans, as well as for his work with the New York Contemporary Five, Horace Parlan, and...
.