lukus simari

http://www.myspace.com/lukussimari
Bio
Lukus Simari, born on May 23, 1978, is a talented musician, who has a natural ear for music. When he was younger, he would be found playing his homemade instruments and singing to his mother’s tapes and records.
“He has always been passionate about music and singing,” says his mother.

Lukus grew up on the streets of Lowell, MA. His mother went through a rough divorce and had to move him and his brother to a small apartment in the city. As a teen, Lukus turned to gangs, drugs, and alcohol for acceptance. Crime became a way of life for him. By the age of fifteen, Lukus was living on his own and experimenting with all sorts of drugs, as well as selling them. He and his friends began stealing cars and driving them around town, dodging the cops. They thought they were invincible.

Throughout these years, his mother continually prayed for him. Because of the religious oppression that he experienced in his church and school while growing up, Lukus possessed hatred towards anything that had to do with God. However, his mother never gave up on him and in 1997, Lukus finally gave his heart to Jesus. He was at his lowest point, but heard the message of the gospel in a completely different way. When he heard it this time, it became real to him. He then had the opportunity to be mentored in Tulsa, Oklahoma by a worship leader from Church on the Way. During his time away from home, he was able to discover the peace and love of God.

When he returned home, life was still not that easy. Lukus began to revert back to his old, familiar ways. Circumstances tried to destroy his God-given destiny. He started to think that he was above reproach because he seemed to always get away with his offenses.

Just when he thought he could escape his newfound faith, a significant event happened that changed his life forever. One day, before he got on a motorcycle, a good friend of his noticed that he did not have his helmet on. Thankfully, he went over to Lukus and personally strapped it on for him. Shortly after, he got into a major accident and the helmet saved his life. “At that point I could not run from the call of God any longer. I knew my life was in his hands,”
Lukus says. “That’s why I can now sing lines like ‘His mercy followed me and turned me in the right direction.’” When this happened, Lukus fully dedicated his life to Christ, which helped him overcome his addictions.

From that point on, Lukus recognized his destiny and began to change into the man that he would become. Now, God is using Lukus’ talents and music to reach out to many people. He wants to reach people and let them know that God is bigger than all their problems and that He has provided a way out.

Lukus is currently an accomplished songwriter and music producer. He is also a skillful pianist and a drummer. He co-owns a production company named LuZen Productions with his partner Zenzo Matoga. Lukus is also the founder of a fast growing ministry called StreetChurch Ministries, which is aimed at bringing church (and God) into the streets. He is also the on staf worship leader and music director at Community Christian Fellowship in Lowell, MA, where, in addition to leading the Sunday morning worship service, he arranges many special music events.

Lukus was recently on a music tour in Africa, promoting his new album. Shortly after arriving, Lukus performed at Moi Sports Complex in Nairobi, Kenya together with well-known Jamaican gospel artist Chevelle Franklyn for an audience of 10,000. His song “Loving You” was #1 on the charts for over two months along with his video which was the #1 requested. He has appeared on several TV and radio shows in Kenya. He performed in many different places including Nairobi Cinema plaza where he featured for over an hour to a sold out Audience. The morning he flew home he sang to a crowd of over 35,000 people Uhuru Park. While there he Lukus also shot a new video for Heal Our Land.

In his opinion, his greatest personal success thus far is his wife and two children. “You can play keyboards and sing all you want, but if you can start and maintain a marriage and a family, then you’ve really got something.”

Lukus released his first solo album, R.A.I.N, in 2002. His second album, StreetChurch, was released in august 2005. Lukus has traveled to many places, singing and sharing his story. He has performed at various high schools, colleges, and churches. He has also been given the opportunity to play at major events such as Crazy Praiz, Inside Out Soul Festival, Chain Reaction, an AIDS benefit concert, and numerous park crusades.

Music, according to Lukus, is his way of helping people and making a difference. “It’s a way to tell my story,” he says. Lukus’ music offers restoration and joy to a dying world.

“…this is what I was born to do.”