Ralph Thamar

Ralph Thamar is a French singer, composer and arranger born in Fort-de-France in 1952. He grew up in a family of musicians, and took up music himself at the age of 14. Although music was only a passion during his youth, when he first worked as a bank clerk, it became his main activity in 1970, when he became a singer in the Les Météores orchestra, alongside Max Billon. Then, for five years, he teamed up with pianist Marius Cultier before joining the group Malavoi. The group enjoyed great success, establishing itself alongside Kassav' as one of the jewels in the crown of West Indian music. Ralph Thamar made his solo debut in 1987 with the studio album Exil, on which he was assisted by drummer Manu Katché. On this album, he explored a wide range of musical styles, including samba, soca, zouk and reggae. Two years later, he released an album of the same name, led by the track "Polisson ". In 1991, he returned with "Comme disait le poète " and the album Caraïbes . In 1996, he released an album for the festive season, Chantons Noël . He also made his mark in 1999 with La Marseillaise Noire, on which he invited Manu Dibango. In 2005, he teamed up with pianist Mario Canonge for the album Alma y Corazon . His publications remain regular, crossing paths with those of his band, who accompanied him on La Cigale 2007 (Concert en Métropole) and Pèp La in 2009.