Dallas Johnson, Tim O'Keefe & SIama having fun_photo by Carlos Grados

Siama at his favorite spot by the Mississippi River in St. Paul, MN (photo by Dallas Johnson)

Siama playing guitar at his favorite spot by the Mississippi River in St. Paul, MN (photo by Dallas Johnson)

Siama in Dubai w/ Losako Band in 1994

Siama (middle), Kibisi Douglas (right) & the legendary Moreno Batamba in Dubai in 1994. This was taken one month before Moreno suddenly became ill and died.

Siama & Kanda Bongoman in Nairobi in 1992

Siama grew up at Seminaire Kibula, where his father was a chef for the Jesuit priests who gave Siama his first guitar at age 12. The rest is history.

Siama age 17, just when he hit Kinshasa with his guitar and joined Cavacha.

Siama age 19, when he lived in Uganda and played with Kombe Kombe band.

Siama performing w/ Samba Mapangala in 2011

Siama performing w/ Samba Mapangala at Nashville Folk Festival in 2011

Siama at his favorite country getaway in Wisconsin in 2015.

Siama & Dallas hosting an Instrument Petting Zoo for Hennepin Theatre Trust's Open Streets event in 2015 (photo by Dallas Johnson)

Siama & Dallas hosting an Instrument Petting Zoo for Hennepin Theatre Trust's Open Streets event in 2015 (photo by Tim Campbell)

Siama & Dallas on the way to a show in 2015

Siama's Afrobilly Blue (Jacqueline Ultan, Tim O'Keefe & Dallas) performing at Como Conservatory in 2016

Siama's Afrobilly Mikkel Beckmen & Dallas Johnson) after a show at Worthington's International Festival in 2015

Siama, Marimba Africa band & Samba Mapangala in 2011

Siama & Nirmala Rajasekar preparing to record a song on "Rivers" 2016

Siama when he arrived in the US in 1995.

Siama performing with Socaholix in 2015.

Siama posing for portraits by Pam Gaard & Frank Gaard 2016.

Siama acting silly at the Bridging Festival in 2014.

Siama with his mom in Matadi, DR Congo in 2010.

Siama posing in front of a painting by Thea Burner in 2014.

Siama celebrating his McKnight Fellowship award in 2014.

Siama having a moment in a vintage car in 2013.