Artist Name: Zema
Birth Name: Melody
Birth Place and Date: Dearborn, Michigan, April 3rd
Official Bio
Described as one of today's top female modern roots reggae vocalists, Zema (pronounced zay-MAH) began her musical career at the tender age of seven with piano and creative dance lessons. As a youth in Detroit, her interest prompted her to pick up several other instruments in addition to singing. She has performed and recorded reggae, R&B, rock and pop music in numerous bands. But it wasn’t until a “divine intervention” when she met Bob Marley at the cancer clinic in Germany where her mother was also being treated. She had been a big fan of Bob’s and was invited to what would be his last birthday party. There she got to feel the vibe that was behind the music. Little did she realize at the time that this chance meeting would set her off on a life-changing journey!
Soon after, Zema moved to Los Angeles and established herself as a prominent musician on the reggae scene recording and performing as a vocalist, keyboardist and guitarist. She has backed both as a keyboardist and a vocalist such internationally known reggae artists as Alton Ellis, Leroy Sibbles, Delroy Wilson, Ras Michael, Joe Higgs, Abijah, Ras Midas, Carlton Livingston and Isaac Haile Selassie. She recorded "Zema," her first album of original material, at the famous Channel One Studio in Jamaica which received extensive air play and was well received touring the western United States. "Stranger in the Gates," Zema's second album, was widely aired on radio throughout the U.S. and abroad. It includes renown reggae drummer Sly Dunbar and the original keyboard player for the Twinkle Brothers.
On Zema's third album, "Look at the Heart," she again showcases her talents as singer/songwriter, arranger and producer. This release is mixed by legendary Jamaican engineer, Hopeton "The Scientist" Brown, includes a guest appearance by nyabinghi master, Ras Michael, and features top flight reggae musicians including original members of The Rastafarians and Twinkle Brothers Band.
"Black Sheep," Zema's fourth album, was recorded in Kingston, Jamaica with a stellar cast including such reggae stalwarts as Horsemouth, Dalton Browne and Dean Frazer. Mixed by Soljie and Sylvan Morris, "Black Sheep" has garnered tremendous response with its hard-driving rhythms and sweet vocals.
Zema’s fifth album is “Overcome” which was recorded in Kingston at Bob Marley’s Tuff Gong Studio with Sly and Robbie, The Gladiators and includes combinations with Abijah, Mark Wonder and Al Griffiths. Tunes from the album have been aired throughout the world including IRIE FM, ROOTS FM and HOT 102 in Jamaica. The "Stoned Love" video featuring Abijah has been aired worldwide and on Jamaican TV. Zema’s latest video is “Son and Daughter of Jah” featuring Al Griffiths and The Gladiators.
“Jubilee” is the title of Zema’s new album recorded with the The Gladiators at the famous Harry J Studio. The album recaptures that roots, rock, reggae vibe The Gladiators are known for and reflects the camaraderie they have developed over the last couple years working together.
Now living in Kingston, Jamaica, Zema has been honored to tour the U.S., Europe, South America, Israel and Mexico with the legendary Gladiators and has performed as a headlining solo artist in Israel, Europe, throughout the U.S. at major festivals including Southern California, and in Jamaica at large stage shows such as Western Consciousness and Rebel Salute. She has shared the stage with such legendary performers as Bunny Wailer, Luciano, Ky-mani Marley, Jimmy Cliff, Buju Banton, and Third World.
Zema's music has been called “healing music for the 21st century” by Roger Steffens (preeminent reggae archivist). Her style of conscious reggae music brings the universal message of love, justice, racial harmony and spiritual upliftment. Zema combines this positive message with driving roots reggae grooves in dynamic and mesmerizing performances that captivate wide audiences with inspiring music that uplifts the heart and soul and keeps your feet dancing!
Exclusive Interview with GospelReggae.com
GR: What are you? Please share your beliefs with us and clear air
once and for all.
Zema: I get asked all the time, "What are you?" On the street they
think I'm Jewish or Muslim or Rasta or Christian or just strange.
Even when I'm in the airport, other Americans ask me what country
I'm from! Well, I don't want to be "of this world" but rather about my
Father's Kingdom. The truth is I'm a Nazarite and that was my
purpose in becoming locks (FYI the Nazirite vow is a vow of
consecration/dedication to the Lord in Numbers 6). Also I've been a
Ger Sha'ar or a Messianic Believer (a believer in Yeshua HaMashiach,
of course!) for most of my life, i.e., I'm a non-Jew (at least as far as I
know) who is connected to a Messianic Jewish Congregation and/or
lifestyle. I'm very much "out of the box" but then so is God when we
allow Him to be.
GR: Tell us about your name. I know that a lot of people tend to
mispronounce it.
Zema: My birth name is Melody. "Zema" is Amharic, (an Ethiopian
language) for "Melody". The correct pronunciation is "Zay-mah"
NOT "Zee-mah".
GR: How did you begin doing music?
Zema: I've been a musician all my life. I started playing piano at 7
and played piano in church for the children's choir. How I got into
reggae is I heard a Bob Marley album on a rock station growing up
in Detroit. I bought the album and wore it out. Years later, my
mother was at the same cancer clinic in Germany as Bob was. I went
to visit her and had the opportunity to meet Bob and talk with him. I
was invited to what would be his last Birthday party. There I realized
that there was more to this reggae thing than music, that there was
a whole culture and positive spiritual vibe around the music. When I
returned home I began to seek out more reggae, joining a reggae
band and embarked on a journey as an artist that has taken me to
experiences that are beyond my wildest expectations. At the time I
didn't realize it but as I look back, I see how God had brought all
these circumstances together to set me on a course that would
fulfill His purpose and bring me great joy.
GR: If you could share the stage with any Christian or secular artist
in the world (living or dead) who would it be?
Zema: King David, the psalmist.
GR: What were the last 5 CDs that you put in your disc changer?
Zema:
1) "Father and Sons" The Gladiators.
2) Burned CD from Mark Wonder of his various singles.
3) "Fireside Chats with John Paul Jackson" from Streams Ministries.
4) Burned CD from Abijah of his new music.
5) Burned CD of music I recorded with Gregory Fabulous of Dread
UK in London - trying to figure out which of the two dubs to use for
the release.
GR: Read any good books lately?
Zema: "The Beginner's Guide to Hearing God" by Jim W. Goll. One of
the best books I've read on this crucial topic.
GR: Name something personal that gives you great satisfaction.
Zema: Being overshadowed by the Presence of the Almighty. He fills
all the broken places inside and give us a natural high. Nothing in
the universe can compare - not all this world's money, fame, sex or
drugs all together can even come close to the power of the living
God.
GR: What is your philosophy of stage ministry? Is there any one
message that you always want to leave with your audience?
Zema: To love one another.
GR: What is the best audience that you have ever played in front of?
Zema: Tucson, Arizona at the Bob Marley Festival. I was surprised
the audience knew the lyrics to most of my songs and almost
everyone was singing along and drowning me out! Also Kibbutz
Ze'elimin in Israel - a very attentive and appreciative audience.
GR: What goes through your mind before you go onstage at the
average show?
Zema: That I have enough strength to live up to my calling as an
ambassador for the Kingdom. That I don't space out and forget the
lyrics! And I pray the band feels the vibe and we don't mess up.
GR: Do you prefer being in the studio or on the road??
Zema: The studio because you can experiment more and do it over
if you don't like the first take.
GR: Why do you do music? What is your primary goal?
Zema: To touch people and turn the hearts of the children to the
father even if just for a 3 minute song. I have no delusions of being
a reggae star. There is only one true star - the Bright and Morning
Star. I'm more interested in getting people to strengthen themselves
spiritually through music, that's much more satisfying for me as an
artist.
GR: Are you working on any future projects/releases that we should
look out for?
Zema: Yes! I have to give thanks that I have a new album scheduled
to be released early 2006 that features Sly and Robbie and the
Gladiators. I'm a huge fan of them both and it was such an honor to
be able to work with them. Sometimes I wonder what He (God) is
gonna do next! It also includes combinations with singers Abijah,
Mark Wonder and Al Griffiths (the son of Albert Griffiths of the
Gladiators)
Ministry
My purpose in life is to turn the hearts of the children to the Most
High God using my gifts as a psalmist, and most importantly
through my actions and lifestyle, to glorify the Almighty, uplift and
encourage, and present a positive image for women in music.
Discography
Zema, Black Sheep, Melchizedek Music, (2003)
Zema, Look at the Heart, Melchizedek Music, (1999)
Zema, Stranger in the Gates, Melchizedek Music, (1997)
Concerts
There are currently no upcoming events listed.
Contact / Booking:
Melchizedek Music
264 South La Cienega Blvd Suite #968
Beverly Hills
CA 90211
tel: (310 572-9477
fax: (876) 927-4243
melchmu@aol.com
mail@ZemaZema.com
Publicity: Sandra Rose of Yardrose, Inc. (Jamaica) 876/360-2266, yardrose@gmail.com
Artist booking:
USA: Justine Ketola of Zion Bound Promotions 323/259-3039, ZionBoundMedia@comcast.net
Europe: Juliet Edwards of Nurture Projects, +44 0208 807 9451, Juliet.Edwards@gmail.com
Official EMail:
melchmu@aol.com
Official Website:
http://www.zemazema.com
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