Sema'j

Sema'j: A Journey Through Music

Early Life and Musical Beginnings

Sema'j, born James Gough in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, discovered his passion for music at a young age. After spending several years in New Orleans, Louisiana, he relocated to Los Angeles with his parents. There, he began performing guitar in small local clubs, quickly gaining recognition for his talent.

Breakthrough Performances and Early Success

By the age of fifteen, Sema'j had appeared on local television shows and shared stages with renowned artists such as Wolfman Jack and James Brown. During this period, he performed on the award-winning Motown track "Smiling Faces" by The Undisputed Truth and later joined Vernon Garrett on the blues circuit throughout the mid-1970s.

Recording Career and Accolades

Sema'j continued to build his career, working with Norman Whitfield at Whitfield Records and rejoining The Undisputed Truth. His contributions to music were recognized in 2015 when he was inducted into the National R&B Hall of Fame. As a member of a local Los Angeles band, he signed with Casablanca Records and Filmworks under the name Rare Gems Odyssey/Rare Gems, earning a Gold Record for their musical achievements.

Current Role and Musical Direction

Today, Sema'j serves as the Musical Director for Greg Rose and the Greg Rose Orchestra in Los Angeles, California. Embracing the name Sema'j—James spelled backwards—he is committed to bringing Southern Soul R&B to Southern California, continuing his journey as an influential figure in the music scene.