2009 brings a whole new movement and experience on the Mbira scene in Zimbabwe. The Mbira Society Zimbabwe starts of a new monthly programme at Alliance Francaise theatre every last Wednesday of the month from 17:30hrs to 1900hrs. Initiated as a platform and space to explore Mbira music through performances, discussions and visual aids, The “Jam Jam Project” will run on monthly themes for 2009 with the January theme being “the BIG BLEND”.
The Big Blend performance will be led by Ethno Tru Bantu, a young talented ethno-centric band that plays highly percussive music accompanied by marimba rhythms and Mbira melodies popularly termed “Mbira-rimba connection”. Ethno Tru Bantu features Taku Mafika on Nyunga Nyunga Mbira, Coach Martin on Soprano Marimba, Rumbi Tapfuma playing her Djembe Drum and Ras Edie on Recorder and Percussions jamming with a trio of Miss Sapphire playing Violin, Vusa Mtunzi on Sax and Victor playing piano. The group will explore how diverse the Mbira instrument is, showcasing possible fusions and outcomes that result from all these instruments jamming together. The performance will then be open to artists with their instruments who can show case various instrument combinations and different playing skills to produce a better and different sound, thus creating a ‘big blend’ sound.
“The event is open to all artists, Mbira enthusiasts, researchers and anyone with a feel for new things or change, the aim being to promote creativity, diversity and interaction among musicians and even the audience”, said Takunda Mafika, who leads Ethno Tru Bantu.
The Mbira Society Zimbabwe is a membership based organisation providing performance platforms, resources and opportunities for those who love the Mbira instrument and those who see the potential in the music
