MUSICAL BIOGRAPHY

3018 Johnson Street N.E.

Minneapolis, MN 55418

Tel: 612-788-6031

Email: siama@qwest.net

Siama was born in Zaire (now Democratic Republic of Congo - DRC) in 1954 and began his musical career in 1971 after learning voice and guitar from a friend. Siama’s music is a mixture of traditional music from his village of Mbetani in DRC and Soukous music. He plays lead guitar and composes and sings in Lingala, Kikongo, Swahili, and French, and has recently begun to compose in English as well. The following is a chronology of his career up to the present time:

1971-75 Played with the band Cavacha in Zaire.

1975-78 Played with the band Bibicha in Zaire.

1978 Left for Uganda to work with the band Kombe Kombe.

1979 Left Uganda to begin a band in Kenya.

1979-81 With others, formed the band Viva Makale.

1981-86 With others, formed the band Virunga.

1986-91 Formed band Ibeba System.

1989-90 Traveled to Japan under contract by the promotional company

Stage Master to perform with an African band. Returned for a second tour the following year.

1991 Returned to Kenya at the end of the contract in Japan. Played with

Tshala Muana in Zambia.

1994 Traveled to Dubai, U.A.E., under contract to perform with an African band for seven months.

1995-Present Emigrated to United States and works with various musicians playing African, Caribbean and other music in the Twin Cities including the band Calypso Monax, Shangoya, Shalita and others. Also records his own original music.