BIOGRAPHY

RASHID LANIE is an internationally acclaimed composer, arranger,

pianist, producer and recording artist.

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Rashid recently won the 2018 SAFTA (South African Film & Televison Award)

as well as the Rapid Lion Award for his soundtrack work on "Kalushi - The Solomon

Mahlangu Story"

 

He performed at the first 2015 UNESCO sponsored "Mandela Day" in Frederick, MD.

 

He also performed at the "World Cup 2010 Kick-Off Celebration Concert" in South Africa, where he performed with John Legend, Angelique Kidjo, Shakira, Alicia Keyes and Black-eyed Peas.

 

Pan Jazz 2011 at The Lincoln Center starred legendary South African musician Hugh Masekela and a world class ensemble consisting of Trinidadian Etienne Charles who joined Masekela on trumpet, renowned Barbadian Saxophonist Arturo Tappin, Leon “Foster” Thomas and Victor Provost both on the Steel Pan, Damon DueWhite rocked on drums, Emmanuel Chulo Gatewood on bass, strumming his guitar the night away was St. Lucia’s own Ronald “Boo” Hinkson, Gezim Sherifi on percussions, all under the musical directorship of South Africa’s Rashid Lanie who played the piano. 

 

In 2014  his  song "Ehlatini"(The African Bush)  came  second  in  the  

International  Songwriting  Competition (ISC) in the category of Jazz.

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He has also worked with the likes of Chaka Khan, Paul Simon, Jackson Browne, Will.I.AM, Randy Brecker, Ray Parker Jr., Lew Soloff, Ernie Watts, Bobby Womack, Slash, The UN Jazz Orchestra, Verdine White, Jonathan Butler,  and the world famous Agape International Choir, to name a few.

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Rashid came to Los Angeles from his native South Africa in 1994 with scholarships to the University of Southern California and the Musicians’ Institute in Hollywood. A year later he was invited to be the Musical Director for the launch of the Lion King album “Rhythm of the Pridelands”, featuring musicians from the bands of Stevie Wonder, Madonna, Adam of the Ants and Yanni. He received the award for Best Arrangement from the American Society of Music Arrangers and Composers for “Infant Eyes” by Wayne Shorter, and was nominated Best World Music Artist as part of the Prince Ayengo Band, by the Los Angeles Music Awards.

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Rashid is well-known in South Africa not only for his musical accomplishments, but also for his political activism in the fight against Apartheid. In 1992 he was commissioned to write “The People Want Mandela”, a song celebrating Nelson Mandela’s release from prison, and was personally honored, with 11 others, at a press conference following Mandela’s release. He has spoken at the United Nations on behalf of South African musicians, and has served as Vice-President of the South African Musicians’ Alliance. While in South Africa his band, The Rashid Lanie Jazz Trio, performed regularly at music festivals and on South African television. Rashid is especially honored to have performed for the Dalai Lama at the 1999 Sacred Music Festival in Los Angeles. 

To date, Rashid has released four CD's of original music. He is currently completing a smooth jazz CD, and contributing a song to the new CD for peace supported by UNESCO and Action Moves People United. 

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