By Ibe Kaba

Siama is the first to admit, interest in African music in the twin cities is not like it used to be.  Which is ironic, counting the fact that the area’s African population has never been higher.  But no matter the state of African music in the Twin Cities, some musician will always hold a special string to our hearts.  Siama Matuzungidi is one such musician.  

Like other African musicians in the area, Siama’s story started on the east end of a flight pattern across the Atlantic. Born in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where he first got his fingers on a musical instrument in a Jesuit seminary, Siama has shared band and stage with all the big names in African and Caribbean music, he has performed on four continents and entertained dignitaries.