Ray Phiri
Ray Phiri | |
|---|---|
Phiri performing in 2007 | |
| Born | Raymond Chikapa Phiri 23 March 1947 Nelspruit, South Africa |
| Died | 12 July 2017 (aged 70) Nelspruit, South Africa |
| Occupation(s) | Recording artist, jazz fusion |
| Years active | 1970–2017 |
| Spouse | Daphney Phiri (deceased) |
| Children | 3 sons, 5 daughters |
| Musical career | |
| Genres | Jazz, jazz fusion, reggae, mbaqanga |
| Instrument(s) | Vocals, guitar (Fender Stratocaster) |
| Labels | Gallo, Barclay |
Raymond Chikapa Enock Phiri (23 March 1947 – 12 July 2017) was a South African jazz, fusion and mbaqanga musician born in Mpumalanga to Thabethe Phiri, a Malawian immigrant worker, and South African guitarist nicknamed "Just Now" Phiri. He was a founding member of the Cannibals in the 1970s. When the Cannibals disbanded Ray founded Stimela, with whom he conceived gold and platinum-selling albums like Fire, Passion and Ecstacy (1984), Look, Listen and Decide (1986). He collaborated with Paul Simon and Ladysmith Black Mambazo on Simon's Graceland (1986) album.