Raymond Leyris better known as Cheikh Raymond, was a renowned

Algeria Algeria, officially the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria, is a country in the Maghreb region of North Africa. It is bordered to Algeria–Tunisia border, the northeast by Tunisia; to Algeria–Libya border, the east by Libya; to Alger ...

Jew Jews (, , ), or the Jewish people, are an ethnoreligious group and nation, originating from the Israelites of ancient Israel and Judah. They also traditionally adhere to Judaism. Jewish ethnicity, religion, and community are highly inte ...

ish musician. He specialized in Andalusian music of Eastern Algeria (known as ''malouf'') and was an expert virtuoso player (a "grand master") of

oud The oud ( ; , ) is a Middle Eastern short-neck lute-type, pear-shaped, fretless stringed instrument (a chordophone in the Hornbostel–Sachs classification of instruments), usually with 11 strings grouped in six courses, but some models have ...

(the Andalusian lute) and singer with an exceptional vocal range and widely respected by both

Jews Jews (, , ), or the Jewish people, are an ethnoreligious group and nation, originating from the Israelites of History of ancient Israel and Judah, ancient Israel and Judah. They also traditionally adhere to Judaism. Jewish ethnicity, rel ...

and

Muslim Muslims () are people who adhere to Islam, a Monotheism, monotheistic religion belonging to the Abrahamic religions, Abrahamic tradition. They consider the Quran, the foundational religious text of Islam, to be the verbatim word of the God ...

s and given the title of Cheikh (elder) as Cheikh Raymond with the accompanying fame and respect.

Life

Cheikh Raymond's father was a

Chaoui The Chaoui people or ''Shawyia'' (, ) are a Berbers, Berber ethnic group native to the Aurès region in northeastern Algeria. They call themselves ''Išawiyen''/''Icawiyen'' (pronounced ) and speak the Shawiya language. They are the second larg ...

Jew from Batna, and his mother a

French French may refer to: * Something of, from, or related to France ** French language, which originated in France ** French people, a nation and ethnic group ** French cuisine, cooking traditions and practices Arts and media * The French (band), ...

citizen. He was abandoned by his mother during

World War I World War I or the First World War (28 July 1914 – 11 November 1918), also known as the Great War, was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War I, Allies (or Entente) and the Central Powers. Fighting to ...

after his father was killed. He was adopted by a very poor Jewish Algerian family from Constantine. He studied the musical style of Arab-Andalusia or "Malouf" music"Cheikh Raymond (1912-1961)." Cheikh Raymond (1912-1961) - Institut Européen Des Musiques Juives. Accessed April 11, 2018. https://www.cfmj.fr/fr/contenuen-ligne/biographies/cheikh-raymond-1912-1961.html . under the guidance of the greats of Algerian music like Cheikh Chakleb and Cheikh Abdelkrim Bestandji and launched a famous musical career establishing his own "Cheikh Raymond orchestra" and between 1956 and 1961 releasing more than thirty albums in addition to some singles. Members of his orchestra included: *Sylvain Ghrenassia (an expert violinist) *Nathan Bentari *Haim Benbala *Larbi Benamri *Gaston Ghrenassia (later the renowned international singer

Enrico Macias Gaston Ghrenassia (born 11 December 1938), known by his stage name Enrico Macias, is a French singer, songwriter and musician. Early years Gaston Ghrenassia was born to a Sephardic Jews, Sephardic Jewish family. His father, Sylvain Ghrenassia ...

). The young Gaston joined the orchestra at the age of 15 encouraged by his father Sylvain. Gaston was soon dubbed "le petit Enrico" by the band, with Gaston eventually adopting it as his stage name during his musical career in France. Gaston soon married Cheikh Raymond's own daughter Suzy. Cheikh Raymond was assassinated on 22 June 1961 by a bullet in the neck, while he was shopping in Constantine's Souk El Asser (place Négrier) during the

Algerian War of Independence The Algerian War (also known as the Algerian Revolution or the Algerian War of Independence) ''; '' (and sometimes in Algeria as the ''War of 1 November'') was an armed conflict between France and the Algerian National Liberation Front (Algeri ...

. Some believe that his death had an impact on the decision for a great number of the Jewish Algerians (including Gaston and Suzy) to emigrate to France on the eve of

Algerian independence An independence referendum was held in French Algeria on 1 July 1962. It followed French approval of the Évian Accords in an April referendum. Voters were asked whether Algeria should become an independent state, co-operating with France; 99.7 ...

Legacy

Cheikh Raymond is still remembered today as an emblem of Malouf music and a martyr for the Jewish people originating from Algeria.

References

External links

Biography of Cheikh Raymond Leyris (Hall of Fame of Songs)Archive of a concert by the Cheikh Raymond Orchestra
{{DEFAULTSORT:Raymond, Cheikh 1912 births 1961 deaths Algerian Jews Algerian musicians People from Constantine, Algeria Chaoui people Berber Jews