| Band Description |
With one foot planted firmly in the rock world and the other in the vibrant musical realm of his beloved 2nd home South Africa, singer-songwriter-guitarist Ema advances the world fusion movement with his own brand of South African-ized rock. Combining powerful modern rock and rich South African traditions with driving Zulu, Senegalese, North African and Caribbean grooves, Ema crafts songs with striking "ethno-sonic" landscapes that complement his thought-provoking lyrics and potent voice. Each song is an idiosyncratic multi-culti blend, frequently draped with lush South African vocals and punctuated with searing guitar solos, soaring sax rides and dizzying percussion beds.
Backed by a host of veteran African and American musicians who have logged in touring and recording stints with artists ranging from rock legends Paul Simon, Sting and the Rolling Stones to South African luminaries Hugh Masakela, Miriam Makeba and Johnny Clegg, Ema's debut album "Ownership" stands as a compelling and unapologetically fierce brand of World Rock.
Early on, while exploring non-western musical traditions and genres, a chance exposure to a recording of a lone Zulu guitarist set Ema on a trajectory into the World Music realm via the welcoming gates of South Africa. Ema spent extended periods as a musical journeyman in South Africa, working closely with jazz musician and traditional music preservationist Pops Mohamed. Ema soon returned to the states and teamed up with prominent South African artists living in the U.S., including producer / playwright Welcome Msomi (of "Umabatha" - the Zulu "Macbeth" - fame) and singer/actress/choreographer, Thuli Dumakude ("Rafiki" in Broadway's "The Lion King").
Through the years, Ema has absorbed other African cultures and musical traditions while touring and recording with such notable artists as mbira master Ephat Mujuru of Zimbabwe, griot and kora master Foday Kouyate of Mali, Gambian Kora master Foday Musa Suso, Virgin/Triloka artists Hassan Hakmoun of Morocco and Samite of Uganda.
"In all that time," Ema says, "I've never denied or lost my own roots - my rock, jazz and blues sensibilities. It's just that, as I've immersed myself in South African (and other non-western) musical traditions, I've discovered connecting threads that run through them all, regardless of culture or genre. Bringing them all together just feels natural to me."
Ema's debut album "Ownership," with its engaging lyrics, driving percussiveness, dramatic instrumentation and lively South African vocables, is as arresting as it is unique.
There's a new bridge between World Music and Rock: and it's keeper is Ema.
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| Influences |
The musical cultures of the U.S., South Africa, Zimbabwe, Senegal, the Maghreb, the U.K., Brazil, the Carribean, Bulgaria, Tibet, South East Asia...Rock, Jazz, Blues, Maskanda, Mbaqanga, Marabi, S'cathamiya, Ngqokolo, Sabar, Reggae, Punk, Funk, Latin, Classical and traditional musics from all over the world...
Specific artists (in "stream of consciousness" order): Peter Gabriel, John Lennon, Bob Marley, Bruce Springsteen, Joe Jackson, Johnny Clegg, Prince, Bob Dylan, Graham Parker, Dave Matthews, Aaron Mbambo, Khalid, Toure Kunda, Juluka, Savuka, Bambatha, The Mahotella Queens, Orchestra Baobab, Orchestra Des Barbes, Salif Keita, Baaba Maal, Youssou N'Dour, Queen, Led Zepplin, The Stones, U2, The Police, XTC, The Clash, The Ramones, The New York Dolls, Bruce Cockburn, Earth, Wind and Fire, Chaka Khan, Africando, Izingqulungqulu Zomhlaba, Tananas, Jimi Hendrix, Johnny Winter, Jeff Beck, Mfaz'Omnyama Khumalo, Phuzekhemisi, Jan Akkerman, Vernon Reid, Maria Joao, Busi Mhlongo, Oumou Sangare, Nothembi Mkwebani, Monk, Don Pullen, Sonny Rollins, Abdullah Ibrahim, African Jazz Pioneers, Gentle Giant, The Sensational Alex Harvey Band, Sparks, Frank Zappa, Don Was, Daniel Lanois, Modest Mussorgsky, Camille Saint-Saen, Ludwig Von Beethoven... oh yeah and The Beatles... |