A reader has wrote in looking for music for a documentary film he shot about running in Ethiopia. He is specifically searching for music that is on the one hand uplifting music, something with drums that can positivly underline shots of runners that and give the film some momentum. He is also looking for tragic, quiet music, possibly with some vocals. The music should be of east African origin. Modern or traditional music are welcome, however traditional would be better.
If your band has recorded music that you think would fit, then please contact the filmmaker directly:
Niklas Warnecke
030 21 23 75 82
0173 20 35 011
Warschauer Str. 60
10243 Berlin
Deutschland
niklas.warnecke@gmx.net
When I listen to marimba music (especially live marimbas with resonator tubes) I sometimes hear singing parts (even though no one is actually singing). The singing sometimes sounds like a single female voice and other times like an entire chorus. It is a surreal experience. Ever experienced this?
Today’s song post is from Makeke Marimba, hailing from Lasqueti Island, BC. Lasqueti is a small island with a population of about 350. The island is accessible via pedestrian ferry, and is a community of self-reliant homesteaders who enjoy the island’s mild climate and relative isolation. I had a chance to meet many of the members of Makeke at Nhemamusasa North this past summer. Josie Martens (marimba, vocals, mbira) told me that when they perform off the island they have to haul all their instruments on the pedestrian ferry - and that is dedication. Their hosho player (Rick Waines) has some impressive hosho chops and a beautiful voice. I believe this entire disc was recorded live which gives each track a passion and immediacy lacking in many studio tracks. So, sit back… close your eyes… and you just might hear some voices, too.
This cd is available for sale at dandemutande.org.
I first heard about Jambanja from a friend who saw them busking in Victora BC. He let me listen to the CD, and I just loved what I heard. Garadziva Chigamba is the respected director and leader of this high-spirited group. A musician since age five, having learned from both his father (mbira master Tute Chigamba) and through his own love of music, Garadziva embodies expression as a prolific composer, soulful singer, dancer and master musician on marimba, mbira and ngoma.
Garadziva is considered by many to be leading a new wave of Zimbabwean marimba music here in the United States. I first met Garadziva at Nhemamusasa North 2006 (you ARE going this year, aren’t you?). I had the chance to hear him play mbira, marimba, ngoma (drums), and sing - and he is by no exaggeration a very talented musician. I’ve also seen Jambanja perform several times now, and they are simply fantastic.
Muka Tiende (Wake Up Let’s Go) is from Jambanja’s second release Gungwa. This song features Garadziva’s mbira, singing, and his signature whistling. Muka Tiende would be a great song first thing in the morning - and it will make you wake up and go.
One of the purposes in creating this site was to expose visitors to some really great African inspired marimba music. In general, you won’t find many reviews of this music genre in mainstream publications. I have been getting a lot of emails asking how to listen to the MP3 content on this site. Each blog entry with audio content will have a icon like the one below. To listen to the audio just click on the play button (which looks like an arrow that points to the right).
Chapfudzapasi (Music Earthquake) is from the Queen of Mbira - Stella Chiweshe’s first release Ambuya?. Stella is credited as one of the first artists to combine mbira and marimba together in her arrangements, and this song is a fine example of that fact. Her beautiful voice and mbira playing transcend the very human condition of which she sings.
Enjoy!
I went to my first Zimfest in 1995. The Friday night performances were held at the Nippon Kan Theater in Chinatown. It was a stormy night and I was exhausted from the drive from Portland. I checked-in for the festival and learned that my housing reservation for the festival had been lost and I had no place to stay. I was in a foul mood. I was about ready to turn around and go back to Portland, when I heard this band being introduced. They took the stage and began their first song. They played fast, furious, and amazingly tight. They were Seattle’s Anzanga Marimba, and they were awesome. After that, I decided to stick around for the rest of the festival - and I’m glad I did.
I’ve seen Anzanga play many times now, and each performance is better than the previous. I’ve seen Sheree Seretse (Anzanga’s musical director) play so fast and furious that the glasses fell right off of her face. Put this band on your “must see” list!
Bukatiende is from Anzanga’s 1994 release Vakati Kurudzira (Those who have inspired us). Bukatiende means “Wake up, let’s go!”, and is a traditional mbira piece from Zimbabwe. This piece is played early in the morning to prepare everyone for the arrival of the spirits. Enjoy!
Note: This release is currently available on audio cassette only.
It seems appropriate for my first post to be about the first marimba band I ever heard. Back in 1992 I went to a political rally at Montgomery Park in Portland Oregon. I walked in the front entrance and I heard this music that sounded like steel drum music - but warmer, happier, and with more energy. I followed the music up to the second floor like a hound dog hot on the trail and there was this band playing big wooden marimbas. The band was Balafon (from Corvallis, OR), and I was an instant fan. I danced, I clapped, and I didn’t want that show to ever end. This single performance changed my musical life.
Frelimo is a track from their second (and last) disc Harare to Kisingani, which was released well after I first saw them. I find this song haunting, much in part to the clarinet (which sounds much better with marimbas than I would have ever thought). Enjoy!
