“ZiMBiRA brings you into an atmosphere that is ripe with culture and group individuality. You are in the midst of a festival and even though you may be just getting acquainted with the celebration, you are really glad to be a part of it all. ”
— Mike Flanagan
ZiMBiRA
is a 10-piece genre-defying band playing music steeped in the traditional music of Southern Africa with traditional and modern instrumentation. Audiences are immediately set into motion with they hear the intoxicating, rhythmic and melodic sounds galvanized by Zivanai Masango the band's leader and innovator.
The songs and grooves are unique, captivating and most of all, uplifting. The shows are fun for any age or background. All are welcome! The sounds is a powerful blend of vocals, traditional African instruments, drumset, and electric and bass guitars. The African instruments you will hear are mbira (African thumb piano), marimba, and hosho (gourd shakers). The pulse with energy and groove. The look on stage is ornate and creative, and the players are bursting with ecstatic energy as they play, sing and dance.
The band is at home both on large festival stages like Arise, Zimfest, Boulder Creekfest, Sounds of Centerra, Chapungu Concert Series, and Louisville Concerts in the Park; and on caberet stages like the Fox Theatre in Boulder CO, Ophelia's in Denver, The Lariat in Buena Vista, and more. The band recently performed for a location recording of Science Friday at the Chautauqua Auditorium in Boulder CO.
Baya waBaya - Chiruzevha
Music
Zivanai Masango
The Band's frontman
or Zi as he is known to his friends (everyone!!) - welcomes his audience with his kind words, soulful vocals or masterful guitar playing. His humble demeanor belies his heavy weight status on the African and American music scenes. From the stadiums and music halls in Zimbabwe to the Hollywood Bowl, Central Park Summer Stage, The New York Blue Note, Dimitrou's Jazz Alley, Red Rocks, and everywhere in between, Zi has toured the world shaking stages with legendary artists such as Thomas Mapfumo, Oliver Mtukudzi, Bonnie Raitt, Jimmy Cliff, Habib Koite, Hugh Masekela, Giovanni Hidalgo, The String Cheese Incident, Bushman, Playing for Change, The Motet, Jyemo Club and many others.
His first three albums; Pachedu (2005), Dutu Storm (2007) and It's Time (2013), showcase Zi's fresh yet familiar sound. Singing mostly in his native Shona language, ZI seeks to preserve and promote the beauty and expressiveness of this rich language as he brings a message of hope, joy, justice and perseverance. The Songs also address issues affecting the Zimbabwean people and the general African diaspora in the face of economic and socio-political turmoil.
ABOUT THE BAND
The band is a diverse collection of experienced players who all share a love of Zimbabwean music and culture. Each member brings a unique background and approach to their instrument as they work collaboratively under Zi's leadership. Catherine Hunziker is a master of the mbira. Grant Peck plays the guitar with panache. Helen Masvikeni and Allison Keller both sing, dance and rock the hosho (shakers), Evelyn Keller joins the fun on backing vocals and dance, Becca Ciancanelli crushes it on the marimba, Mark Keller lays in down on the conga's and backing vocals. Jon Stubbs artfully doles outs the low end on the bass, and Daniel Lockley lays down the groove on the drumset.
Press Photos
