Guitarist Ray Kamalay Explores World Slavery And The Rise Of American Music

Through story and song, guitarist Ray Kamalay looks at slavery’s influence on our musical heritage on Sunday, September 21 at 2 p.m. in Lakewood Public Library’s Main Auditorium. A guitarist, singer, and jazz musician, Kamalay has recorded CDs with his group, Red Hot Peppers. He also holds a degree in political science with an emphasis in philosophy from the University of Detroit. In 1992, Kamalay’s love of history led him to present “World Slavery: the Haitian Revolution and the Rise of American Music.” Kamalay also teaches guitar with his book, The Secrets of Swing. Before his presentation at Lakewood Public Library, Kamalay takes the time to answer a few questions.

LPL: How did you decide to trace slavery’s influence on American music?

RK: When studying the early American culture, the influence of the tradition of slavery was too obvious to avoid. The fugitive slave laws, for instance, came to us from ancient Rome, but had an enormous influence on American cultural development in the 19th Century.

LPL: What other enslaved cultures do you consider?

RK: We try to consider slavery from the ancient times, even in Asia. But it’s important to know how it was that slavery came to us, why it was practiced the way it was, who changed it, and, finally, why the mantle of slavery fell to sub-Saharan Africans.

LPL: What music influences you the most?

RK: Doc Watson and Chicago blues were early influences. American jazz fascinates me in all its breadth of development over the years. I'm a committed lover of Scott Joplin and his school of classic ragtime. I'm also impressed by the enormous talents of two other Detroiters: Stevie Wonder and Aretha Franklin. 

LPL: Do you play any other instruments besides guitar?

RK: Only at parties.

Kamalay’s presentation takes place on Sunday, September 21 at 2 p.m. in the Main Library Auditorium as part of the library’s Sunday with the Friends series. Kamalay’s CDs and book will be available for sale and signing at the event. Visit www.lakewoodpubliclibrary.org/friends  to learn more.

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Volume 10, Issue 19, Posted 4:31 PM, 09.16.2014